Drug Product Project Leader / Drug Product Project Leaderess

Job ID

REQ-10061665

Date Posted

September 10, 2025

Location

Basel, Switzerland

Summary

Novartis maintains a robust development portfolio of small molecules poised for transformation into innovative, patient-centric oral dosage forms. As a Drug Product Project Leader specializing in oral dosage forms, you will guide and manage formulation and manufacturing activities linked to pharmaceutical development for small molecules (New Chemical Entities; NCE) on assigned projects. Your role will particularly emphasize applied data science, mechanistic modeling, and simulation of pharmaceutical unit operations.

You will lead drug product teams throughout all stages of development, focusing primarily on initial clinical phases. Your expertise will play a crucial role in enabling formulation approaches, ensuring that innovative and stable drug products are created for human trials and commercial supply. The ability to communicate and influence effectively will be essential as you lead the drug product subteam to achieve success.

About the Role

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading and managing all Drug Product (DP) related technical development activities for assigned projects while representing DP project teams in Technical Research and Development (TRD) sub-teams.
• Motivating and coaching team members in alignment with Novartis values and behaviors, fostering a strong team spirit and promoting knowledge sharing within and between teams.
• Formulating a sound DP project strategy inclusive of contingency planning and risk assessments, ensuring alignment with the Pharmaceutical Development department and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assessing and negotiating resource needs and timelines for assigned projects, ensuring accurate reflection of resources in planning systems.
• Ensuring adherence to scientific and project review processes through relevant governance boards while delivering high-quality DP development documents for CMC submissions.
• Contributing to filing dossiers and supporting Health Authority inquiries related to Drug Product.

What You'll Bring to the Role

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Pharmaceutical Technology, Chemistry).
• Minimum of 2-4 years of successful industry experience in pharmaceutical formulation development within a matrix organization.
• Expertise in a specific scientific/technical area of Biopharmaceutical sciences, with a strong understanding of the physical-chemical properties of molecules and their in-vivo performance impact.
• Strong project management skills and complex problem-solving abilities within a matrix environment, complemented by excellent communication, organizational, planning, and negotiation skills (German language proficiency desired).
• Interdisciplinary thinking and a keen interest in collaboration across functions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of development activities and processes in pharmaceutical sciences.
• Familiarity with laboratory and technical tools, along with knowledge of relevant GLP and GMP regulations and policies.
• Strong presentation and scientific/technical writing skills.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is dedicated to fostering an outstanding and inclusive work environment. We believe diverse teams are essential for serving our patients and communities effectively.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all individuals. If you require reasonable accommodations due to a medical condition or disability, please email inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com with details regarding your request and contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis

Helping people facing disease and their families requires more than just innovative science. It necessitates a community of smart, passionate individuals like you, collaborating, supporting, and inspiring one another to achieve breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

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Benefits and Rewards

Explore our benefits handbook to discover how we support your personal and professional growth: Learn more.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Division

Development

Business Unit

Innovative Medicines

Functional Area

Research & Development

Job Type

Full-time

Employment Type

Regular

Shift Work

No