Novartis

Director, Clinical Sciences – Therapeutic Lead

Novartis

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: New JerseyUnited States

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Salary

💰 $204,400 - $379,600 per year

Job Level

About the role

  • Provide Clinical Science leadership for an assigned therapeutic area; partner with Medical Director/MST Lead to co-develop program strategy, evidence generation plans, and study concepts aligned to portfolio priorities.
  • Serve as Clinical Science lead on the MST and represent US Medical Affairs in key cross-functional forums and workstreams.
  • Lead scientific review, prioritization, and oversight of Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) in partnership with Medical Affairs and governance stakeholders.
  • Lead and support external research collaborations (e.g., academic partnerships, consortium-based studies) from concept through execution, ensuring scientific quality and operational rigor.
  • Ensure consistent clinical science standards, governance, and best practices across IITs and external collaborations.
  • Drive Medical Office clinical trial acceleration across USMA to reduce cycle times and improve study start-up and execution.
  • Coordinate trial acceleration activities across Clinical Sciences, Medical Affairs, and cross-functional partners; establish clear milestones, owners, and accountability.
  • Identify, prioritize, and execute acceleration initiatives; translate strategic objectives into measurable operational impact (timelines, throughput, quality).
  • Act as an integrator across enabling functions (e.g., medical leadership, field medical, governance, contracts) to implement scalable acceleration ways of working.
  • Lead evidence generation acceleration initiatives (e.g., portfolio control tower approach, acceleration playbooks, external collaboration strategy).
  • Track, communicate, and continuously improve outcomes using data-driven insights, dashboards, and performance metrics.
  • Provide scientific and operational oversight for assigned studies/programs, including feasibility input and contributions to protocols and key study documents.
  • Oversee vendor, budget, and resource planning as applicable; ensure accurate forecasting and delivery against commitments.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of trial leads and/or matrixed resources; support hiring, retention, and capability building.
  • Ensure compliance with SOPs, GCP, and ethical requirements; contribute to continuous improvement of processes and working practices.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field required; advanced degree (Master’s/PhD) preferred or equivalent certification/licensure
  • Minimum 8 years of relevant clinical research/clinical science experience, including mentoring/training others and leading complex cross-functional initiatives
  • Demonstrated experience leading high-priority process improvement/transformation initiatives, ideally focused on cycle-time reduction and operational execution
  • Strong working knowledge of FDA guidelines, GCP, and applicable SOPs; ability to evaluate medical research data and apply medical/scientific terminology
  • Strong written, oral, and presentation skills; ability to communicate strategy, develop/review protocols, assess feasibility, and present to senior leaders
  • Proven ability to work independently with minimal oversight, drive accountability in matrix environments, and deliver measurable outcomes through influence
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint); ability to learn proprietary systems and leverage metrics for performance management
  • Prior experience leading clinical trial acceleration
Benefits
  • health, life and disability benefits
  • 401(k) with company contribution and match
  • a variety of other benefits
  • generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
clinical researchclinical scienceevidence generationinvestigator initiated trialsprocess improvementcycle-time reductionoperational executiondata analysisprotocol developmentresource planning
Soft Skills
leadershipmentoringcommunicationpresentationaccountabilityindependenceinfluenceteam developmentcollaborationstrategic thinking
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in science-related fieldMaster’s degreePhDGCP certificationclinical research certification