Director, Analytical Project Management
Job Description
Summary
This role drives technical excellence in project governance, planning, resource optimization, and cross-functional coordination across global and site stakeholders, enabling timely, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of development milestones.
The position acts as a strategic bridge between global ARD project management, scientific teams, and site operations, strengthening execution discipline, transparency, and decision-making across the portfolio.
About the Role
Key Accountabilities
1. Portfolio & Project Management Leadership
- Lead the ARD India portfolio of Analytical Project Leads (APLs) analytical development projects across early and late phase programs spanning across the modalities, viz., oral, xRNA, radio-ligand therapy, parenterals.
- Ensure robust project planning, tracking, and delivery in alignment with global timelines and regulatory requirements
- Drive proactive risk identification, mitigation strategies, and escalation mechanisms
- Implement standardized project management methodologies, tools, and best practices
2. Governance & Decision Framework
- Establish and lead project governance structures (reviews, portfolio boards, dashboards)
- Provide data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making and prioritization
- Ensure transparency of project status, risks, milestones, and resource utilization
- Align governance processes with global ARD project management standards
3. Cross-functional Integration & Stakeholder Management
- Act as key interface between ARD scientific teams, TRD, global project leaders, and cross-functional partners
- Ensure alignment of analytical development activities with overall program and CMC strategies
- Facilitate effective communication across geographies (India, Switzerland, China)
- Strengthen collaboration with functions such as Regulatory, Quality, Supply, and External Partners
4. Resource & Capacity Management
- Lead demand and capacity planning across ARD project portfolio
- Optimize resource allocation to ensure efficient utilization and delivery against priorities
- Partner with functional heads to balance portfolio demands and capability development
- Drive workforce planning aligned with future pipeline needs
5. Operational Excellence & Digital Enablement
- Drive continuous improvement in project execution through lean principles and digital tools
- Implement data analytics and dashboarding to enhance performance visibility
- Standardize reporting, KPIs, and performance tracking across projects
- Promote automation and digitalization in project management processes
6. People & Capability Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Analytical Project Leads
- Build strong project management capabilities within ARD India
- Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and innovation
- Support talent development, succession planning, and capability building
Minimum Requirements
- PhD / Master’s in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Chemistry
- 15–18+ years in Analytical R&D / Pharmaceutical Development
- Proven experience in project / portfolio management within drug development
- Strong understanding of end-to-end development lifecycle (early to commercialization)
- Experience in global, matrixed organizations with cross-functional leadership
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
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