About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about coordinating and supporting HR projects within the People Organization at Novartis. You'll be working closely with senior leadership to ensure projects are executed on time and that all stakeholders are aligned. It's primarily an individual contributor position focused on operational support and project management.

Good fit

Ideal candidates are early-career professionals with a background in HR or project management. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks will help you thrive here.

Worth noting

The role emphasizes operational support and stakeholder management, which may not appeal to those looking for a more strategic or creative HR position. The position is onsite in Dubai, which could be a consideration for remote job seekers.

Job Description Summary

The P&O Project Specialist supports the effective planning, coordination, and execution of People & Organization (P&O) initiatives across assigned regions or clusters. The role acts as a key operational partner to senior P&O leadership, ensuring structured delivery, strong governance, and high quality stakeholder coordination while building foundational P&O capability.

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Job Description

Major Accountabilities

Support delivery of regional P&O projects and initiatives, ensuring timelines, milestones, and outcomes are met.
Coordinate inputs, actions, and follow‑ups across P&O teams, Talent Acquisition, and relevant Centers of Expertise.
Provide operational support for P&O governance processes, including workforce planning, role documentation, and approval submissions.
Prepare meeting materials, track actions, and support execution of recurring P&O leadership forums and planning meetings.
Maintain and update P&O documentation, presentations, and knowledge materials in line with global standards.
Support data consolidation, basic analysis, and reporting for P&O initiatives and leadership reporting.
Act as a trusted operational partner to the Regional P&O Head, ensuring effective organization, prioritization, and execution support.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred; exposure to HR, project management, or business operations advantageous
Strong coordination, organization, and stakeholder management skills
High learning agility with interest in building a P&O/HR career
Strong attention to detail, follow‑through, and structured working style
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools; experience supporting complex, multi‑stakeholder environments preferred

Skills Desired

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.