Director, Emerging Therapeutic Strategies

Summary

Location: Cambridge MA US or Basel Switzerland. This role will follow a hybrid working model.
If based in Europe please apply to REQ-10071789
LI-#hybrid

The Novartis Strategy & Growth Emerging Therapeutic Strategies (ETS) team is seeking a new Director to support the advancement of Novartis’ enterprise strategy for ETS by independently driving strategic analyses, shaping recommendations, and leading defined workstreams across emerging technologies and therapeutic opportunities. This individual will operate with autonomy across the group’s remit while partnering closely with leadership as necessary to encourage enterprise-level alignment and execution.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

1. Enterprise Leadership on “Where to Play”

• Contribute to the development and refinement of strategic agendas across emerging technologies, pathways, and whitespace opportunities.
• Conduct independent research, landscape analysis, and early framing of opportunities where Novartis may expand or refine its position.
• Develop clear, insight-driven recommendations that feed into enterprise-level decision-making.

2. Governance Leadership & Cross‑Functional Alignment

• Support preparation for governance engagements (e.g., ECN, IMB, DTB, TAR) and participate as appropriate.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment across BR, Development, Strategy & Growth, and commercial units by driving structured problem-solving, synthesizing diverse inputs.
• Ensure materials are well-structured, objective, and aligned to key strategic questions.

3. Strategic Portfolio Direction & Prioritization

• Evaluate emerging focus areas, assessing scientific maturity, inflection points, risks, and strategic value.
• Identify opportunity gaps and propose internal or external approaches (build, partner, deprioritize) with supporting analyses.
• Partner with senior leaders where required to collaborate and effectively transition ownership of opportunities to relevant TA, platform, or commercial organizations.

4. External Horizon & Technology Landscape Leadership

• Conduct horizon scanning across priority modalities and pathways, synthesizing competitive, scientific, and market signals into actionable insights.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders selectively to deepen understanding of emerging trends, technologies, and partnership opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of cutting-edge developments to support ETS strategic foresight and leadership decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators

• Successfully complete projects / ad-hoc requests as defined.
• Positive feedback from project sponsors and (internal and external) key stakeholders regarding quality of project output and interaction.
• High-quality strategic outputs that inform enterprise-level decisions and direction in relation to emerging technologies and therapy area diversification.
• Evidence of creativity and proactivity in identifying potential areas of scientific breakthrough that drive growth.
• Effective cross-functional coordination and positive feedback from collaborators and project sponsors.
• Timely and accurate delivery of insights supporting early-stage program teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while ensuring strong alignment with team leadership.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree (PhD, MD, or other advanced University degree) or equivalent experience in life science/healthcare; MBA, consulting, or equivalent experience highly desirable.
• Highly agile, with the capacity to manage coherent strategic evaluation of diverse and ambiguous scientific and technological subject matter.
• Some experience evaluating new product opportunities through M&A, BD&L, and internal research programs.
• At least 5-10 years’ experience of pharma industry and/or medical devices.
• Experience in conducting, commissioning, and analyzing primary research.
• Experience of strategy development and asset shaping early in lifecycle (any functional perspective).
• Experience in global roles or with high exposure to those with global responsibility
• Ability to comfortably engage with senior leadership as well as mid-career associates to influence and challenge with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial modeling and valuations skills.
• Experience in strategic and competitive data analysis and insights generation, leveraging digital tools.
• Strong strategic vision and excellent communication, consensus building and influencing skills.
• Enterprise maximization mindset: able to align to broader enterprise strategy for trade-off against shorter-term payoffs to avoid unnecessary investments. Desire to propose bold choices.
• Effectively work in matrix balancing cross-functional perspectives and alignment with business priorities.

Novartis Compensation Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $185,500.00 and $344,500.00 USD per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

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?

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

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.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.