Strategy & Operations Head, data42

Role Purpose:

• Define program vision and priorities (Annual and long term). Align the strategy with different stakeholders in Novartis R&D and the corporate AI strategy team.

• Work closely with data42 team and key stakeholders across the R-D-C continuum to align expectations, objectives and ensure value delivery of scientific use cases, impact to the pipeline and in-market assets and thus make optimal use of the data42 R&D data lake.

• Build strategy for adoption and growth of the platform. Support in building momentum across the organisation. Define key priorities and success metrics for the program. Ensure team has correct operating model, staffing, ways of agile working to be able to deliver on objectives. Clear roadblocks as needed.

• Review overall spend, contracts, expenses, resources and suggest required actions for optimal use of the budget in alignment with BR Finance. Oversee & control staffing levels of the data42 organization of internals and externals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build the long term Data42 program strategy based on internal capability and external landscape assessment. Define program vision and priorities (annual objectives, tactical OKR and long term 3–5-year strategy). Align the strategy with Head data42, Presidents Research and Development, ECN AI R&D Steering Committee, and key stakeholders in the BR and Development LTs

• Evolve the operating model with Head of data42 and support in setting it up incl. in- and outsourcing of capabilities and resulting staffing levels in various Novartis locations

• Own and manage key meetings with ECN and ECN-1 stakeholders as well as the Computational Science Council interactions. Propose agenda, create content and align the messaging with Head of data42

• Be the SPOC and engagement manager for all key strategic external partners for data42. Organize recurring reviews with key external partners. Ensure contractual set-ups are in place together with legal and procurement and ensure delivery of contractual agreed deliverables. Drive corrective action when necessary

• Able to see a complex projects from a "big picture"/strategic level; able to communicate a clear vision for this program and able to set direction for the team; able to translate strategy into concrete actions with diverse teams.

• Champion innovation in GenAI and other ML spaces and drive teams to decisions

• Drives objective-setting and execution of the projects with the goal to optimize efficiencies and use of resources. Manages project communications, tollgate transitions, work streams etc.

• Advise Head data42 on various strategic matters of importance (scientific value delivery, pipeline focus areas, data strategy to enrich data offering, platform ecosystem with linkages to other BR and Dev systems, latest developments in GenAI/AI/ML space, external landscape, long term focus, stakeholder management etc.)

Essential Requirements:

• 8+ years of relevant experience in a multidisciplinary environment across the RDC continuum

• 3+ years multi/cross functional leadership experience

• Solid knowledge of the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process and operations

• Experience with User Experience (UX) design and Design Thinking

• Proven record of high performance and substantial achievements in your past positions

• Demonstrated leadership ability in a team environment & to be able to lead without formal authority in a global, diverse team setting

• Ability to collaborate effectively with people at all levels in an organization across research, development, medical affairs teams in all focused disease areas

• Experience in doing strategy and demonstrated strategic thinking mindset paired with operational mindset to translate strategy into action.

• Excellent project management / coordination skills, experience at driving global cross-functional projects

Desirable Requirements:

• Prior experience and interest in working on emerging technologies

• Prior strategy consulting experience or work in strategy team

• A proactive self-starting personality with a can-do attitude

• Good technology skills and strong ability to learn new technologies and tools

• Working experience in a global team desirable / cross-cultural working experience

• Advanced computer skills proficiency in M365

Why Novartis? Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation: Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network