Director, Therapeutic Area Strategy, Immunology

Novartis seeks a Director, Therapeutic Area Strategy, Immunology in Basel, Switzerland, for a full-time hybrid role. The position supports strategic development for Immunology, provides commercial insights to R&D teams, and aligns enterprise functions across research, development, and commercial units.

This role supports the development and evolution of the Immunology therapeutic area strategy, contributing early-phase commercial insights to project teams and guiding internal pipeline development and external licensing or acquisition opportunities. It ensures integrated alignment across Biomedical Research, Development, Strategy & Growth, and global commercial units.

Responsibilities

• Provides external benchmarking, analysis, and insights to assist the TA Strategy Head in shaping Immunology therapeutic area strategy.
• Leverages deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and Immunology to identify competitive advantages over peers.
• Delivers key commercial insights to R&D project teams, especially for early-phase programs, including product forecasts and competitive landscape assessments.
• Reviews reports and publications to extract critical information and develop product forecasts.
• Supports strategic external insights for the therapeutic area, helping identify growth opportunities, emerging competition, and strategic levers, including commissioning targeted primary research.
• Contributes to strategy and commercial analysis for business development initiatives.
• Actively participates in the Global and Unit Strategic Planning process.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• An advanced degree (PhD, MD, or other advanced university degree) in life science or healthcare, or equivalent experience; MBA, consulting, or similar experience is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Immunology or proven ability to quickly acquire necessary therapeutic area expertise.
• Highly adaptable, able to manage multiple strategic deliverables within the therapeutic area and across internal and external programs.
• Extensive experience evaluating new product opportunities via M&A, business development, and internal research.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or medical devices industry, in R&D or commercial roles, including conducting, commissioning, or analyzing primary research.
• Experience in developing strategy and shaping assets early in their lifecycle, from any functional background.
• Recent (post-2015) experience working within the US market, including direct engagement with US customers and healthcare systems.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or other advanced university degree) in life science or healthcare, or equivalent experience; MBA, consulting, or similar experience is highly preferred.

What the company offers

• Remote-friendly work environment.

About the company

Novartis is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace that reflects the patients and communities it serves.

• Commitment to building an inclusive work environment.
• Focus on diverse teams representative of the patients and communities served.