Director, Data & Digital Strategy, Biomedical Research

Help define and execute the AI & Digital strategy for Novartis Biomedical Research, ensuring alignment with senior leadership and key stakeholders. Develop, maintain, and communicate a comprehensive AI roadmap across the business unit. Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery and scaling of digital initiatives. Drive high-impact, strategic AI projects from concept through to execution, ensuring organizational objectives are met. Support governance and decision-making processes by preparing content, facilitating meetings, and implementing action items effectively. Promote awareness, adoption, and change management for AI-driven processes and foster understanding organization-wide. Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Data and Digital Leadership teams in Biomedical Research and Novartis, providing insights and advice on AI enablement, scientific value, and emerging trends.

At Novartis Biomedical Research, we are moving from experimentation with AI to real, measurable scientific impact at scale—from accelerating target discovery to enabling next-generation, AI-powered laboratories. This role partners closely with Data & Digital teams, the BR Computational Science Council, and key stakeholders across the biomedical research organization, (e.g., scientific research teams), to drive value delivery, maximize the impact of data and digital assets, and support informed investment decisions.

• Education: Master or PhD degree in scientific/technology/computational science/data science areas. MBA a plus.

• Experience: 10+ years of relevant experience in a multidisciplinary environment across the Pharma RDC continuum preferably in data science / strategy / BD&L; / data science and AI.

• Proven experience developing and implementing digital or AI strategy in a complex, matrixed organization, within life sciences or pharmaceutical R&D.; Consultancy experience a plus.

• Experience facilitating governance processes, preparing executive-level content, and supporting decision-making at senior leadership levels.

• Up-to-date knowledge of AI and Data Science trends, applied to Pharma or Healthcare, including expertise in aligning internal capabilities with evolving external landscapes.

• Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional, multidisciplinary project teams, including forming, directing, and scaling initiatives from concept to delivery.

• Experience managing multiple projects, including budgets, resources, and timelines, with a track record of delivering on time and within budget.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills with the ability to drive organizational change and foster collaboration.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the "big picture", translating complex strategies into concrete actions and measurable impact.