Manager, Operational Excellence

Job Description Summary

Step into a role where your expertise will help shape the future of Medical Affairs at Novartis. As Manager, Operational Excellence, you will focus on process simplification, performance management, and governance, ensuring alignment with global standards and supporting the development, implementation, and oversight of frameworks. Working closely with senior leadership, you will help shape organisational priorities, support change management, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Location: Dublin, Ireland / London, UK, / Barcelona, Spain #LI-Hybrid
Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

 

Job Description

Responsibilities:                                                                                                                

• Engage with user communities to identify gaps and high-priority improvement areas, aligning with leadership to frame business optimisation rationale and assess project feasibility.

• Support projects to optimise business processes from initiation to transition, ensuring requirements are met and resources are used efficiently.

• Provide operational oversight of medically led business processes, including monitoring project execution, managing risks, and facilitating resource planning.

• Engage and communicate with stakeholders to drive change management and ensure uptake of optimised ways of working.

• Support the build and management of platforms, systems, processes, and tools to align internal stakeholders for execution and communication.

• Support the setup, maintenance, and closure of work packages for existing systems and processes.

• Define impact indicators and key performance indicators (KPIs) for business process optimisation and measure their effectiveness.

• Ensure initiatives are visible and effectively communicated across the organisation.

• Present to leadership on key strategic and operational aspects, opportunities, progress, and risks of programmes and initiatives.

• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by supporting change management efforts and driving accountability.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant educational background in life sciences/healthcare (ideally a Bachelor’s degree or above) or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• At least 5 years in drug development or related experience, with familiarity with operational aspects of drug development; experience in Medical Affairs preferred.

• At least 3 years of matrix management experience, supporting complex international multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience in global organisations with project management expertise.

• Understanding of business processes, Good Clinical Practice, and drug development processes.

• Organisational awareness, including experience working cross-functionally and in global teams.

• Ability to think strategically and visualise potential future scenarios based on business needs.

• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience utilising digital tools and demonstrated digital savviness in support of operational excellence initiatives.

• Proven ability to influence without authority in highly matrixed organisations, with strong interpersonal, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict management skills.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

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

 

Skills Desired

Building Construction, Clinical Practices, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Hazard Identification, Health Sciences, Immunology, Intensive Care UnIT (Icu), Internal Control, Internal Medicine, Job Description, Medical Information, Organization Skills, Patient Care, Stakeholder Engagement, Tcp/Ip Protocols, Utilization Management (Um)