Global Clinical Operations AI Product Director

About the role

Novartis is looking for a Global Clinical Operations AI Product Director in Barcelona, Spain (hybrid, 12 days per month onsite; relocation and visa sponsorship not supported). The role turns clinical operations challenges into practical, scalable AI solutions that improve productivity, quality and cycle times across clinical development, guiding products from concept through adoption while staying compliant and user-focused.

Key responsibilities

• Identify clinical operations challenges and turn them into AI opportunities and product concepts
• Define use cases, scope, value hypotheses and requirements for prioritized products in the Global Clinical Operations AI portfolio
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, vendor solutions and enterprise capabilities to shape product direction
• Bridge business stakeholders and technical teams, turning operational needs into functional requirements
• Lead AI products through design, MVP, pilot, refinement, scaling and adoption
• Ensure solutions are compliant, user-focused and aligned with privacy, AI guardrails and GxP requirements
• Drive adoption by validating with users, gathering feedback and monitoring outcomes
• Partner with Global Clinical Operations, Development AI, Digital, DDIT, Quality and Compliance

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, life sciences or a related field, or equivalent business experience
• At least seven years' experience at senior management level
• Product management, AI solution delivery or a closely related discipline
• Strong understanding of clinical operations, drug development or another highly regulated environment
• Proven ability to turn business needs into clear AI requirements, use cases and value propositions
• Experience delivering products through Agile or Scrum
• Understanding of AI and machine learning, model lifecycles and AI-enabled workflows
• Success leading cross-functional initiatives in complex matrix environments
• Desirable: postgraduate degree (MSc, MBA, PhD) and experience enabling AI adoption in clinical operations or GxP settings

Required skills

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Agile and Scrum
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

What we offer

• Annual base salary range of 78,500 to 145,900 EUR
• Possible performance-based bonus
• Insurance plans, retirement plans and wellbeing resources
• Flexible and hybrid working, and at least 14 weeks of paid parental leave