Director – Pipeline Governance
Locations: Basel, Switzerland; Dublin, Ireland; Westworks, London, UK
Full time | Hybrid
The Director, Pipeline Governance plays a pivotal role in shaping how development projects are managed and executed across the organization. This position leads the optimization of portfolio governance and project management processes, ensuring seamless, compliant, and efficient planning for drug development programs. By driving alignment on governance frameworks, standardizing data models, and harmonizing workflows, the Director enables clarity and consistency across functions and units.
About the Role
The Director Pipeline Governance champions best practices that safeguard data integrity and system reliability while fostering collaboration across functions. With a focus on innovation and operational excellence, the Director spearheads adoption and enhancement of cutting‑edge planning capabilities/systems, delivers training and change management to empower teams. This is an opportunity to influence strategic decisions and create impact by ensuring high‑quality, timely, and accurate portfolio data that drives smarter, faster development outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Drive strategic governance and continuous improvement of project and portfolio management processes and systems to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
* Champion best practices that ensure data integrity, process consistency, and system reliability, setting the gold standard for operational performance.
* Shape the future of development by aligning and harmonising workflows, data models, and systems to deliver seamless, compliant planning across global teams.
* Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to solve complex challenges, implement smart enhancements, and unlock new levels of organisational agility.
* Inspire change by leading adoption initiatives, delivering impactful training, and building capabilities that empower teams to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Minimum Requirements
* A graduate degree in life sciences (Master’s or equivalent); PhD or similar advanced qualification strongly preferred, with practical understanding of data governance and analytics tools as an advantage.
* Proven experience in leading governance and optimization of project and portfolio management processes, with strong familiarity with PPM systems, workflows, and data models.
* Track record of driving alignment and standardization across complex, global organizations, ensuring compliance and operational excellence in drug development or related environments.
* Evidence of influencing strategic decisions and leading cross‑functional initiatives in matrix organisations, building trusted partnerships and delivering results without formal authority.
* Influence senior leadership and key decision‑makers as a trusted partner, ensuring governance strategies align with bold organisational ambitions.
* Drive resource optimisation and proactive risk management, keeping the organisation agile, future‑ready, and positioned for success.
* Strong capability in change management and adoption of systems, including delivering training and embedding best practices to enhance organisational performance.
* Ability to operate under pressure, meeting tight timelines, and engaging confidently with senior stakeholders to shape governance strategies and enable informed decision‑making.
* Exceptional communication skills demonstrated by tailoring messages for diverse audiences, combined with curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
* Fluent in English (oral and written).
Accessibility and Accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
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
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