Director, AQS Strategic Project Management Lead

About the role

As Director, AQS Strategic Project Management Lead, you will drive critical transformation and innovation initiatives across Advanced Quantitative Sciences (AQS) at Novartis. Based in Barcelona, you will partner with senior development leaders to translate strategic ambitions into enterprise‑wide execution, ensuring lasting impact.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of strategic transformation initiatives, delivering measurable business impact.
• Develop and maintain integrated transformation roadmaps aligned with strategic priorities.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable plans with clear milestones and dependencies.
• Establish governance frameworks to monitor progress, risks, outcomes, and program performance.
• Drive alignment and execution across cross‑functional and matrix teams without direct authority.
• Implement scalable operating models, processes, and ways of working to enhance performance.
• Champion change adoption through communication, capability building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide data‑driven insights and recommendations to optimise execution and transformation outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on transformation strategy and delivery excellence.

Required profile

• Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in pharmaceutical R&D, life‑sciences consulting or transformation environments.
• Proven success leading large‑scale, cross‑functional transformation or strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of drug development and the pharmaceutical R&D operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex strategies into executable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Expertise in program and project management, including planning, governance, execution and delivery.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead effectively within matrix organisations.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Required skills