About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about managing strategic projects within the Patient Safety and Pharmacovigilance team at Novartis. You'll work closely with senior leaders to drive initiatives, prepare executive communications, and ensure projects meet deadlines in a complex, global environment. It's an individual contributor role focused on project management and operational strategy.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have at least seven years in the pharmaceutical or healthcare sectors, with strong project management and communication skills. A proactive, organized approach and experience in matrixed organizations will help you thrive here.

Worth noting

The position is hybrid but based in Basel, and Novartis does not offer relocation support, so local candidates only. The role requires navigating a complex environment, which may be challenging for those not familiar with large organizations.

Job Description Summary

Internal Job title: Associate Director, Project Manager Strategy and Operations
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Relocation Support: This role is based in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Step into a role where strategy meets impact across a global patient safety organisation. As Associate Director, Project Manager Strategy and Operations within Patient Safety and Pharmacovigilance, you will partner closely with senior leaders to drive strategic priorities, strengthen governance operations, support functional communication and engagement, and help deliver cross-functional transformation initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to bring clarity to complexity, enable effective decision-making, and help shape how critical priorities are executed across a global, matrixed environment.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Drive preparation and delivery of senior leadership meetings, ensuring clear agendas, outputs, and action tracking

Coordinate cross-functional inputs to create high-quality presentations, briefings, and executive communications

Lead project management for strategic initiatives, ensuring delivery against timelines, milestones, and agreed outcomes

Strengthen operational discipline through structured planning, risk identification, follow-up, and timely escalation

Partner with global stakeholders to align priorities across Patient Safety and Pharmacovigilance functions and locations

Support and contribute to the execution of the external engagement strategy with global stakeholders and partners

Represent leadership in cross-functional initiatives, ensuring visibility, coordination, and alignment of strategic priorities

Essential Requirements

Master’s degree in life sciences, pharmacy, public health, business administration, or a related field

At least seven years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, life sciences, or health institutions

Proven experience in project management, strategy, or operations within a complex business environment

Strong track record of independently managing complex projects, governance forums, executive meetings, or cross-functional initiatives

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of executive presentations and senior stakeholder materials

Demonstrated ability to work effectively across global, matrixed, and cross-functional organisations

Strong strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, and professionalism in handling sensitive information

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? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: 

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

Skills Desired

Clinical Trial, Databases, Employee Training, Pharmacovigilance, Reporting, Safety Science, Team Management, Waterfall Model

Aplyr's read

Novartis is a Swiss-based global healthcare leader, known for its focus on innovative medicines and commitment to addressing patient needs through diverse roles.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Novartis invests heavily in research and development, driving innovation in pharmaceuticals.
•The company offers a wide range of global career opportunities across various fields.
•Strong focus on cutting-edge therapies, including gene therapy and AI-driven solutions.

What to watch

•Regulatory challenges can impact the speed of drug approval and market entry.
•High competition in the pharmaceutical industry requires constant innovation to maintain market position.
•Complex organizational structure may slow decision-making processes.

Why Novartis

•Novartis has a robust pipeline of innovative medicines, setting it apart in the healthcare sector.
•The company emphasizes a diverse and inclusive workplace culture across its global operations.
•Novartis is a leader in digital transformation within pharmaceuticals, integrating AI and data science.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Novartis

Novartis

novartis.com

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Novartis is a global healthcare company based in Switzerland that provides solutions to address the evolving needs of patients worldwide. It focuses on innovative medicines, generics, and eye care.