Director, AI Enablement, Corporate Affairs

Novartis seeks a Director of AI Enablement for Corporate Affairs in Basel to lead the function’s AI strategy, team, and governance, driving enterprise value through advanced technology solutions.

This senior leadership position is responsible for defining and executing the multi-year AI strategy within Novartis Corporate Affairs. The role involves setting the vision for AI enablement, leading a high-performing team, managing the AI portfolio as a strategic investment, and serving as the primary representative for Corporate Affairs in enterprise-level AI forums. The incumbent will oversee the entire lifecycle of AI initiatives, from initial business cases and governance to adoption and the realization of tangible business value.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an executive-approved, multi-year AI strategy tailored to Corporate Affairs.
• Lead the creation and management of a prioritized AI portfolio, treating it as a managed investment.
• Oversee the execution of approved business cases and funding decisions for all portfolio initiatives.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber AI team with the technical expertise needed for enterprise-grade solutions.
• Measure and deliver concrete business value, including time savings, productivity gains, and accelerated insights.
• Represent Corporate Affairs in enterprise AI governance bodies, technology councils, and cross-functional senior forums.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Chief of Staff, and other executive leaders on AI opportunities and strategy.
• Co-own the AI governance framework for Corporate Affairs in collaboration with IT, Legal, and Compliance teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive progressive experience in AI, digital transformation, and technology strategy, with a proven record of leading AI strategy for a major business unit.
• Demonstrated success in delivering production-grade AI, generative AI, or advanced analytics solutions in complex environments, with clear ownership of business outcomes.
• Hands-on technical fluency with large language models, generative and agentic AI applications, and the data engineering and MLOps principles supporting enterprise AI.
• Proven experience building and leading teams of AI, data, or technology professionals, including senior individual contributors.
• Ability to operate credibly at the C-suite level, advising executive leaders on AI strategy, risk, and value.
• Direct experience partnering with or working within Corporate Affairs, Communications, Public Affairs, Policy, or Reputation Management functions.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience in the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or other highly regulated global industries.

What the company offers

• Performance-based bonus tied to specific performance parameters.
• Long-term equity awards granted at the group level may be included in the compensation package.
• Comprehensive insurance plans, retirement benefits, wellbeing resources, and global recognition programs.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, where feasible.
• Minimum of 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

About the company

Novartis is committed to reimagining medicine together and rewarding the people who make it happen. The company upholds pay equity as a fundamental principle of its employment policy and is dedicated to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment with diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities it serves.

• Committed to reimagining medicine together and rewarding the people who make it happen.
• Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy.
• Committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.