Head Vendor Program Leads

Job Description

100,000. That’s how many patients participate in our clinical trials at any given time. Global Clinical Operations touches patients’ lives every day acting as a link between science and medicine. Envision the impact you could have as the Head of Vendor Program Leads! #GCO

In this role you will ensure the development of a program level vendor strategy for the execution and delivery of all global clinical trials across all programs, in accordance with established category strategies. You'll be accountable for the successful execution of strategies to support portfolio deliverables and have complete oversight of budget and resource allocation including enterprise review of VPL resources. You'll provide mentorship to your Program Leads and drive operational excellence through process improvement and knowledge sharing across the function. We want you to develop an empowered organization which can navigate in a matrix environment and adjust quickly to business needs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead an organization of 10+ Vendor Program Leads across global locations
• Drive efficient allocation and resourcing to Global Clinical Operations (GCO) and Vendor Partnerships & Governance (VPG) priorities.
• Establish objectives for VPL organization in alignment with GCO and VPG organization priorities.
• Build the best talent and an empowered culture to foster high performance in a matrix environment.
• Sponsor key talents across the organization to ensure business critical roles and talent continuity.
• Hiring, onboarding, development, and retention of VPLs and serve as the single point of contact for internal/external customers.
• Utilize data and insights to monitor overall performance of VPL and be responsible for providing quarterly business review updates on status program strategies, risks and issues from a portfolio view.
• Sponsor key initiatives to improve operational efficiency within the Vendor Program Lead organization as well as the broader VPG organization

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 [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Minimum Requirements

• We are looking for an industry leader with significant experience and expertise in drug development processes, knowledge of strategic partnership management, and related vendor oversight processes and activities. This will include but is not limited to Regulatory, Trial Management, and relevant development units.
• Education (minimum/desirable): Bachelors in life science/healthcare required; Advanced degree or equivalent education/degree in life sciences/ healthcare preferred (PhD/MD/ PharmD/ Masters)
• 10 or more years of experience in pharmaceutical clinical drug development.
• Experience in managing associates globally and in management in a matrix organization.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional matrix teams
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. High resilience and ability to advocate and implement new ways of working.
• Extensive knowledge of Vendor landscape and vendor service offering how this translates to the clinical development process.
• Strong organizational understanding and customer management skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills; can influence, negotiate with and motivate executive leadership

Why consider Novartis?

766 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2021, and while we’re proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people’s lives.

We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.

We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what's possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying!
Imagine what you could do here at Novartis!
Join our Novartis Network:

If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here:

https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network