Associate Director, Cell Therapy Operations Manager - Midwest (Remote)

Job Description

Over 108,000. That’s how many US patients our oncology products touched in 2018. And while we’re proud of that, in this world of digital and technological transformation, we must also ask ourselves this: how can we continue to improve and extend even more people’s lives? We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous and collaborative people like you are empowered to ask new questions, make bolder decisions and take smarter risks

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible.

As an Associate Director, Cell Therapy Operations Manager, you will develop, coordinate and support implementation of the plan to train and qualify apheresis and treatment centers to be able to treat patients with the Novartis Oncology Cell Therapy products both in commercial and clinical trial setting. In this role, you will manage CAR-T center operations supporting qualified key staff including HCPs, infusion nurses, study nurses as well as apheresis unit and cell laboratory staff, ensuring that the centers are operating to safely and efficiently treat patients with our products and supporting continuous operations improvements.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Support the efficient and effective qualification of key treatment and apheresis centers across your territory of North America by coordinating with strategic account managers, medical, market access, local QA, Apheresis QA and Customer Service Center in full compliance with FDA and local laws and regulations
• Ensure high quality consistent supply of human cells and tissues (HCT) intended for use as manufacturing starting material in GMP manufacturing of cell therapy products through assessment, selection, approval, initiation, and monitoring of hospitals/apheresis centers that will collect and process HCT
• Support consistent rollout of initial trainings including Leukapheresis manual, product ordering management and cancellation/product replacement/credit request, patient consent, Risk Management Plan procedures for Cell Lab/Pharmacy/Infusion Center (or Clinical Trial Handling Manual) and Mock Shipment by coordinating with local team and Customer Service Center team
• Deliver onsite support for 1st order process management including apheresis cell collection(s), cell processing and shipment of starting material as well as the reception through the administration of the final product according to Novartis specifications and processes as well as local laws and regulations
• Develop and support implementation of new operational service offerings to improve the customer experience (e.g., educational programs, process solutions)
• Conduct investigations in case of deviations on starting material and oversight of the end-to-end process deviations in close coordination with all relevant functions.

This position can be based remotely in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Residence in other states will be considered if near an airport. (There may be some restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. This position will require up to 60% travel.

Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in an external partner-facing role (supplier or customer-focused in a hospital/healthcare system) with experience in apheresis or cell-processing
• Proven ability to successfully implement a complex process in a cross functional matrixed environment and to interact with medical and administrative personnel at all levels and in large numbers (~15-20 stakeholders per site)
• Drive and ability to work independently and collaboratively with highly functioning team
• Ability to travel up to 60% within your North America territory of Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Collaborative mindset to manage interactions with local cross-functional team and regional service teams.
• University degree in science and/or medical-related major (Bachelor’s degree as a minimum)

Desirable requirements:
• Direct experience performing apheresis, blood or tissue collection, or cryopreservation operations preferred

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!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Novartis embraces diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration, and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals in need of a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or disability for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] 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.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $144,000 and $216,000 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 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, 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.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network