Director, AQS Strategic Project Management Lead

About the role

Novartis is seeking a Director to lead strategic transformation initiatives within Advanced Quantitative Sciences (AQS). Based in Barcelona, you will partner with senior development leaders to turn strategic ambitions into enterprise‑wide execution, ensuring that high‑impact projects are delivered, adopted, and embedded across the organization.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of large‑scale transformation initiatives, driving measurable business impact.
• Develop and maintain integrated roadmaps aligned with AQS strategic priorities.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable plans with clear milestones, dependencies and priorities.
• Establish governance frameworks to monitor progress, risks, outcomes and overall 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 improve organizational performance.
• Champion change adoption through communication, capability building and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide data‑driven insights to optimize execution, prioritisation 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 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.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead effectively within matrix organisations.

Required skills