At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and execute talent attraction strategies for Novartis R&D.
- Company: Join Novartis, impacting lives globally through innovative science.
- Benefits: Gain experience in a hybrid role with a focus on scientific innovation.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that connects talent with opportunities to change patient lives.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Talent Acquisition, preferably in life sciences or healthcare.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
This is a temporary contractor opportunity at Novartis. Novartis touches the lives of a tenth of the world’s population. Every role here, regardless of contract type, makes an impact on human life!
About The Role
The Talent Attraction Specialist – Research & Development (R&D) is responsible for shaping and executing the talent attraction and sourcing strategy across Novartis Research & Development. This role plays a critical part in identifying, engaging, and building diverse talent pipelines for future scientific, clinical, digital, data, and innovation-focused hiring needs across the R&D organization.
As part of a high-performing global Talent Attraction team within our Recruitment Solutions organisation, you will partner closely with Recruitment Business Partners, hiring leaders, and workforce planning stakeholders to deliver proactive, market-informed sourcing strategies that enable Novartis to attract world-class talent across Drug Discovery, Development, Biomedical Research, Clinical Development, Data & Digital, and other critical R&D functions.
The successful candidate will combine deep sourcing expertise, market intelligence, and stakeholder partnership to ensure Novartis remains competitive in securing the talent required to accelerate innovation and reimagine medicine.
Key Responsibilities
- Build a high-quality, agile and business-aligned sourcing strategy
- Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies aligned to the priorities and workforce plans of R&D business units
- Maintain close alignment with scientific and technical hiring needs across R&D functions
- Translate workforce planning priorities into proactive talent attraction campaigns, talent pools, and succession pipelines
- Anticipate evolving capability requirements and future talent demands across key R&D disciplines
Strategic Sourcing Excellence
- Align sourcing priorities and delivery approaches with R&D workforce plans and business objectives
- Use data, market intelligence, and talent insights to identify critical talent segments and sourcing priorities
- Build and maintain deep pipelines of external talent across scientific, clinical, digital, data, AI, and innovation-related disciplines
- Deliver high-quality longlists and shortlists through direct sourcing, market mapping, talent engagement, and networking activities
- Drive a data-led approach to sourcing prioritisation, pipeline management, and talent attraction effectiveness
- Leverage talent intelligence platforms, AI-enabled sourcing tools, competitor analysis, and labor market insights to optimise hiring outcomes
- Monitor and report on sourcing performance, pipeline quality, diversity outcomes, and market trends
Experience Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Executive Search, Talent Attraction, or Strategic Sourcing, preferably within life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or other highly specialised industries
- Demonstrated success building proactive pipelines for scientific, clinical, technical, digital, or business-critical roles
- Experience conducting market mapping and talent landscape analysis
- Strong capability in using data and talent insights to influence sourcing strategies and hiring outcomes
- Experience partnering with senior stakeholders and navigating complex, matrixed organisations
- Familiarity with AI-enabled sourcing tools, CRM platforms, talent intelligence solutions, and advanced search methodologies
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills
- Passion for connecting exceptional talent with opportunities that accelerate scientific innovation and improve patient outcomes
Workload: 40 hours/week
Role type: Hybrid
Required start date: August 2026
Contract: 12 months
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?
EEO Statement
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accommodation
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Magnit at directsourceproteam@prounlimited.com.
Talent Attraction (Sourcing) Specialist – Research & Development employer: Novartis
Novartis is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly in the dynamic environment of London. Employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, allowing for flexibility while engaging in meaningful projects that enhance global security and resilience. With a strong focus on professional development and the application of cutting-edge AI technologies, Novartis provides ample opportunities for growth and impactful contributions to the healthcare sector.
