Executive Director / Executive Directoress, Portfolio Policy (Oncology)

Job ID: REQ-10027583

Date Posted: June 19, 2025

Location: Switzerland

Summary

We are a team of dedicated and intelligent individuals united by a shared drive to achieve collective success. In this role, you will lead portfolio policy for Oncology and craft an industry-leading strategy to foster an optimal policy environment for key Novartis portfolio assets.

You will spearhead the early portfolio scanning process in collaboration with Strategy & Growth to develop policy and advocacy strategies for vital in-market and launch assets, ensuring alignment with a diverse array of cross-functional stakeholders. The focus on Oncology extends beyond innovative platforms, and your deep understanding of the pharmaceutical business model, healthcare systems, and the political and economic landscape will allow you to proactively shape the external environment. This will ensure timely and sustained access to innovation while positioning Novartis as a trusted partner among healthcare system stakeholders.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent Novartis externally in therapeutic area-specific forums and trade association working groups, exhibiting leadership and setting agendas.
• Develop and implement transformative policy solutions focused on key brands and priority markets.
• Drive portfolio policy for the assigned therapeutic area, identifying key policy priorities aligned with the strategy and aims of the Novartis portfolio.
• Lead the early portfolio scanning process in partnership with Strategy & Growth for the assigned therapeutic area, crafting policy strategies and solutions for essential in-market and launch assets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., V&A, patient advocacy, communications, medical, healthcare systems) to design and execute policy strategies, creating favorable market conditions for priority pipeline assets.
• Align with regional and direct-reporting countries (Europe, APMA, LaCan, US, CN, JP) to establish local policy priorities for the therapeutic area.
• Articulate priority policy requests for advocacy activities across the portfolio and coordinate with regional Portfolio Advocacy leads to support local execution of advocacy efforts.
• Generate policy resources, coordinate global events, and build coalitions within the therapeutic area while ensuring alignment with cross-functional advocacy partners.
• Leverage a strong external network to establish policy partnerships and coalitions as needed, providing thought leadership for Global Public Affairs-led initiatives aimed at healthcare system and policy transformation conducive to the Novartis portfolio.

What You’ll Bring to the Role:

Essential Criteria:

• Extensive experience in life sciences policy related to the therapeutic area, Public Affairs Policy, or related fields, including policy-focused patient advocacy.
• Proven public leadership position within Oncology-related trade associations and media.
• Experience representing the pharmaceutical industry within a policy environment, demonstrating measurable business impact and organizational awareness.
• Ability to design and execute market-shaping strategies across multiple geographies.
• Strategic mindset with a deep understanding of portfolio and commercial strategy development.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable Criteria:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline / Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, or equivalent) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.

Why Novartis?

Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives, and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company globally. This mission is powered by our dedicated team members who drive our ambitions each day. Join us in this mission and be part of something transformative!

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is committed to working with all individuals and providing reasonable accommodations. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process due to a medical condition or disability, please reach out to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and share your request and contact information.

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Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The Novartis Group of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Our goal is to build diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace that fosters innovation and empowers all individuals to reach their full potential.

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Benefits and Rewards

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Division: Corporate Affairs

Business Unit: Corporate

Location: Switzerland

Site: Basel (City)

Company / Legal Entity: C010 (FCRS = CH010) Novartis International AG

Functional Area: Communications & Public Affairs

Job Type: Full time

Employment Type: Regular

Shift Work: No

Novartis is devoted to creating an outstanding, inclusive work environment with diverse teams that represent the patients and communities we serve.