Director, Program Management

Major accountabilities:

• Coordinate the selection and prioritization of compounds and modalities for development in China, in close alignment with Global TCO (Translational Clinical Oncology) line functions (LFs), China Development, and the China Oncology Business Unit.
• Coordinate scientific and clinical input across internal and external assets and portfolio areas, leveraging a strong understanding of the local life-sciences environment and TCO strategy:1. Establish partnership with Global TCO, the Head of TCO China, the TCO DD (Due Diligence) experts and LT (Leadership Team) members and relevant TM (Translational Medicine) roles to efficiently support or contribute to due diligence reviews and support high-quality integration planning according to Novartis processes. This may include deliverables such as GANTT charts, scenarios, decision trees, risks management tables, budget and resource plans.2. Build and facilitate partnerships to assess external early-oncology capabilities and explore innovative development models in China to accelerate registration timelines in China.3. Identify opportunities for new technologies and enable their implementation in TCO programs in China and, where appropriate, globally.
• Ensure alignment and build partnership with the local TM coordinator.
• Maintain an integrated overview of external collaborations in China, partnering with global colleagues across TCO and other relevant line functions (e.g., TRD-Technical Research&Development, PKS-Pharmacokinetics, PCS-Preclinical safety) as needed.
• Support the preparation and execution of asset integration activities.
• Apply program management excellence by:1. Monitoring and reporting of the local TCO China portfolio, providing regular insights to the Global Head PPM TCO and the PPM group (e.g. realistic forecasts; program advancement updates).2. Serving as China Program Manager for local program activities, for process and initiative assignments.3. Co-leading selected China program subteam together with the China Physician and the China CSTL.4. Maintaining a close interface with the TCO Basel GPM group and the DAL (Disease Area Leadership)/PAL (Platform Area Leadership) framework.5. Leading scenario planning with clearly defined decision points.6. Driving alignment on strategy and decision points, including risk mitigation and opportunity identification.7. Ensuring effective stakeholder communication.8. Providing scientific and drug development expertise to support team decisions.9. Navigating organizational governance and decision-making processes.10. Demonstrating inclusive leadership and influence across functions and cultures.

Minimum Requirements

• ​Masters or Doctorate in life sciences OR MBA with bachelor’s degree OR equivalent experience in life science)
• Previous track record of success in working with and leading large scale and complex international and multidisciplinary drug development teams
• 10+ years pharma industry experience
• 5+ years of equivalent multi-/cross-functional leadership experience
• Excellent project / program management skills
• Expert knowledge in oncology research or drug development (including early and late stage development)