About the role

Job Description Summary

The location for this role is East Hanover, NJ.

Job Description

Novartis seeks an Executive Director with extensive experience in AI strategy development and execution. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to lead AI initiatives and possess a deep understanding of AI best practices and pharmaceutical data and external data vendors.

The Executive Director of Functional AI and Process Excellence, works with a team of other EDs of Functional AI and Process Excellence leads across Novartis as part of a Functional Working Group, to elevate NVS capabilities, catalyze adoption, accelerate culture change and pull-through process changes in close partnership and coordination with the Function Head, or a member of the Function leadership team.

Reporting to the Head of AI & Innovation, Insights and Decision Sciences, this role serves as a thought leader and catalyst for AI adoption, process mapping and optimization, guiding functional teams in leveraging AI to enhance business performance. By fostering a strong AI culture, implementing best practices, and ensuring alignment with the broader AI strategy, this role will enable Novartis to maximize the value of AI investments within their respective functional areas.

This role is also accountable as a standing member of the AI Functional Working Group, is accountable to fully participate and drive functional adoption of enterprise standards, governance and pull-through of AI and Data programing, training and other centrally created use cases, programs and initiatives, the Process Excellence team and their respective functional areas, ensuring that AI solutions, Process Optimizations are strategically deployed, governed effectively, and continuously optimized to support enterprise-wide objectives.

Major Accountabilities:

Lead efforts in function to embed AI into functional workflows, ensuring AI solutions enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and business impact.
Foster a culture of innovation and data-driven decision making within each function to promote knowledge-sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and the scaling of successful AI initiatives.
Provide oversight on AI deployment within functions, ensuring adherence to governance frameworks, regulatory requirements, and ethical AI principles.
Establish performance objectives for other in functional AI efforts, leads and implement metrics to measure AI’s impact on functional and business goals, ensuring AI value realization is consistently assessed.
Ensure functional area teams have knowledge of available AI applications
Identify, assess, and prioritize AI opportunities within functions, ensuring AI initiatives are strategically aligned, scalable, and focused on high-value business outcomes.
As part of the AI Functional Working Group, ensure Novartis stays at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare transformation by leveraging cutting-edge AI practices to enhance the organization's competitive edge in healthcare.
Work across General Management, Marketing, Customer Engagement, Market Access, Novartis Patient Support, and Medical to drive AI-led innovation, ensuring AI is leveraged effectively to enhance business performance.
As a core member of the AI Functional Working Group (FWG) the AI lead is accountable to the Head of AI Strategy and Innovation to ensure functional AI opportunities are aligned with the US strategy, and executed in alignment and coordination with AI governance.
Lead efforts in function to identify key processes, partner on process mapping (within the function and BPE) and identification of opportunities to drive future efficiency, effectiveness and technology opportunities

Requirements:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.

Additional qualifications are as follows:

Ten plus years of experience in AI strategy, digital transformation, data science, or product management, with a focus on AI adoption within large, matrixed organizations
Deep knowledge of AI and data technologies (e.g., machine learning, NLP, predictive analytics) and their application in commercial, medical, and operational functions
Deep understanding of the functional area landscape, including strong focus on strategic insights, decision science, and/or analytics within the respective domain
Proven leadership experience in driving AI adoption, managing cross-functional teams, and influencing senior stakeholders to align AI initiatives with business goals
Experience in AI governance, ethics, and compliance, ensuring responsible AI deployment that aligns with regulatory and industry standards
Track record of building and scaling functional AI excellence, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capability-building within an organization
Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership, present AI insights, and drive strategic decision-making
Passion for innovation and continuous learning, staying ahead of AI advancements, emerging trends, and best practices to drive long-term AI transformation

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $194,600.00 to $361,400.00 a year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/26 through 12/31/26, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

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 and 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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com 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.

Salary Range

$194,600.00 - $361,400.00

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Business Acumen, Digital capabilities, Effective use of technology, Operational Excellence Projects, Performance Management, Project Management, Risk Management, Service Delivery Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Planning, Talent Development

Skills & Tags

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.