About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is for an Associate Director focused on leading analytics and software development projects in the pharmaceutical sector. You'll be the main point of contact between various teams, translating complex clinical and statistical needs into R-based solutions. It's a senior individual contributor position requiring deep expertise in R programming and the clinical trial process.

Good fit

Ideal candidates will have over 14 years of experience in analytics or statistical programming within the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong ability to manage projects independently. Those who thrive here are likely detail-oriented, collaborative, and possess a deep understanding of clinical research.

Worth noting

The role demands advanced R programming skills and experience with Shiny dashboards, which may limit the candidate pool. It's also a high-responsibility position with significant oversight of compliance and documentation standards.

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Business Analyst with strong pharmaceutical domain expertise and deep R programming capabilities to support a global pharmaceutical engagement.
This role will act as the primary interface between business stakeholders, biostatisticians, statistical programmers, and technical delivery teams. The candidate will be responsible for translating clinical, statistical, and operational requirements into scalable R-based analytics platforms, automation workflows, and enterprise reporting solutions.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong domain understanding of clinical trials, regulatory expectations, and statistical workflows, along with the ability to independently manage initiatives and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Act as the primary interface between business stakeholders, biostatisticians, statistical programmers, and technical teams.
Lead requirement gathering workshops and translate clinical/statistical needs into structured functional and technical specifications.
Ensure alignment between Statistical Analysis Plans, reporting outputs (TLFs), and system implementation.
Drive end-to-end requirement traceability across development, validation, and deployment phases.
Oversee design and delivery of scalable R-based analytics applications and Shiny dashboards.
Ensure regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and adherence to documentation and governance standards.
Provide structured updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.

Minimum Requirements

14+ years of experience in analytics, statistical programming, or software development. Proven experience in pharmaceutical or clinical research domain engagements.
Advanced R programming (data manipulation, statistical modelling, visualization).
Strong experience with Shiny for interactive dashboards and web applications.
Experience with Posit platform tools (Workbench, Connect, Package Manager) or equivalent.
Expertise in statistical computing and analytics solution design.
R package development and familiarity with CRAN/Bioconductor libraries.
Proficiency in SQL and relational databases. Strong understanding of Git version control (branching strategy, pull requests, release coordination).
Experience integrating R with enterprise systems, APIs
Strong understanding of clinical trial lifecycle

Skills Desired

Algorithms, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Computer Vision, Data Science, People Management, R&D (Research And Development), Solution Design, 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.