Associate Director, AI Engineering Manager

Novartis seeks an Associate Director, AI Engineering Manager in Basel to lead a team of AI engineers, ensuring the delivery of production-grade AI solutions while fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture.

The company is looking for a leader to guide both internal and external AI engineers in developing reliable, scalable, and secure AI agents and models. This role focuses on aligning technical execution with organizational goals, maintaining strict governance standards, and driving measurable business value through modern engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and mentor a diverse group of AI engineers to maximize performance and output.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align AI engineering efforts with broader company objectives and project schedules.
• Convert business and software requirements into detailed technical designs and implementation strategies for AI projects.
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of AI components, ensuring timely, high-quality, and predictable results.
• Manage the deployment, ongoing monitoring, and lifecycle maintenance of AI solutions.
• Cultivate a team-first environment built on urgency, transparency, trust, and collective accountability.

Requirements

• Strong background in people leadership, including setting strategic direction, developing talent, and enhancing team productivity.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex AI concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record of building effective relationships across different organizational divisions.
• Deep knowledge of designing and implementing AI agents and models using modern engineering standards, including integration into production workflows.
• Experience in deploying, monitoring, and automating AI solutions, with a focus on performance optimization, cost management, and compliance.

Nice to have

• Skill in fostering a culture of empowerment, continuous learning, and mutual support.
• Creativity and willingness to challenge existing norms, encourage innovation, and take calculated risks.

About the company

Novartis is driven by a mission to help people with disease and their families through innovative science and a collaborative community. The company values smart, passionate individuals who work together to achieve breakthroughs that improve patients' lives, emphasizing collaboration, support, and shared inspiration.

• Promotes a team-first culture centered on urgency, clarity, trust, and shared ownership.
• Encourages collaboration, support, and inspiration among employees to drive patient-focused breakthroughs.