At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and execute high-quality medical and scientific engagement activities across various therapeutic areas.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with diverse teams and personal growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a community dedicated to improving health outcomes globally.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient lives through collaboration and scientific engagement.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in healthcare or life sciences with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Senior Scientific Engagement & Program Manager, part of the IMACE Scientific Operations team, reporting to the Scientific Engagement Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing high quality medical and scientific engagement activities across assigned programs, brands, and therapeutic areas (Oncology, Cardiovascular Disease, Renal, Neuroscience, and Immunology). Working closely with IMA (TAs, IMACE) and cross functional partners, the role translates engagement strategy into clear operational plans and ensures seamless delivery of advisory boards, congress activities, standalone meetings, and medical education programs. This position plays a key role in enhancing ways of working, improving processes and tools, and fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in how scientific engagements are executed.
Key Responsibilities
- Scientific Engagement Planning & Execution: Coordinate and execute medical and scientific engagement activities including advisory boards, congress activities (e.g., symposia), external expert engagements (EEEs), standalone meetings, and medical education programs, ensuring high‑quality delivery aligned with engagement objectives. Translate engagement strategies into detailed operational plans, timelines, and deliverables across assigned programs, projects, brands, and therapeutic areas. Lead day‑to‑day project planning by managing milestones, logistics, materials, and overall readiness for scientific events.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with IMA (TAs, IMACE) and cross‑functional stakeholders to clarify objectives, align expectations, and drive coordinated execution. Maintain strong communication channels with internal teams and external partners to share updates, flag risks, resolve issues, and ensure smooth handoffs.
- Operational Excellence & Standardization: Apply and reinforce standardized ways of working - including processes, templates, tools, documentation practices, and governance frameworks - across scientific engagements. Ensure compliant, audit‑ready execution of activities by following SOPs, guidance documents, and established approval pathways.
- Vendor & Logistics Coordination: Manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and logistics partners, overseeing deliverables, timelines, budgets, and the overall quality of execution.
- Risk, Issue & Quality Management: Identify risks, issues, or delays affecting timelines or quality, escalating or resolving them in collaboration with project teams to maintain momentum and compliance.
- Tracking, Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Track program progress, outputs, and performance metrics, supporting reporting needs and contributing to continuous improvement of tools, templates, processes, and operational efficiency.
Essential Requirements
- Education: BSc or equivalent. MSc, PhD, PharmD, or MD are desirable.
- 5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences, with a strong focus on scientific engagement delivery and program/project management.
- Experience coordinating medical or scientific engagement activities, such as advisory boards, medical congresses (including symposia), standalone medical meetings, external expert engagements (EEEs) or medical education programs.
- Experience working in one or more of the following therapeutic areas: Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal, Neuroscience, or Immunology is an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects, with strong organizational skills and the ability to deliver against timelines in a fast‑paced environment.
- Background in operational planning and execution, including managing logistics, vendors, materials, and event related deliverables.
- Experience working in a matrixed, cross functional setting, collaborating with teams such as IMA, Scientific Operations, Medical Affairs, or similar scientific/medical functions.
- Familiarity with compliance, SOPs, and approval processes within medical or scientific environments, ensuring activities are delivered to quality and audit ready standards.
- Experience maintaining documentation, tracking progress, and supporting project reporting, ideally using standard project management tools or systems.
- Exposure to process improvement activities, including contributing ideas to streamline workflows, enhance documentation, or improve engagement execution.
- Fluent oral and written English; additional languages desirable.
Benefits & Rewards
Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Why Novartis
Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.
Ready to create a brighter future together? Join our Novartis Network.
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Senior Scientific Engagement & Program Manager employer: Novartis
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field of scientific engagement. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered, while our focus on professional development provides ample opportunities for growth within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Join us in our mission to improve patient lives through groundbreaking science and a supportive community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientific Engagement & Program Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work at Novartis or similar companies. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their therapeutic areas and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see your passion for scientific engagement!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully coordinated complex activities in the past. Highlight your ability to manage timelines, logistics, and cross-functional collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientific Engagement & Program Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Scientific Engagement & Program Manager role. Highlight your experience in scientific engagement and project management, especially in the therapeutic areas mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves a lot of cross-functional collaboration, don’t forget to mention specific examples where you’ve successfully worked with different teams. We love seeing how you can drive coordinated execution!
Be Detail-Oriented:Pay attention to the details in your application. Ensure that your documents are free from errors and clearly outline your relevant experience. This reflects your ability to manage logistics and maintain high-quality standards in your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis
✨Know Your Therapeutic Areas
Make sure you brush up on the key therapeutic areas mentioned in the job description, like Oncology and Neuroscience. Being able to discuss recent advancements or challenges in these fields will show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines, as this role requires juggling various scientific engagement activities.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working with different teams. Share specific instances where you’ve partnered with cross-functional stakeholders to achieve a common goal, as collaboration is key in this role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think about ways you've contributed to process improvements in previous roles. Whether it’s streamlining workflows or enhancing documentation practices, showcasing your commitment to operational excellence will resonate well with the interviewers.
