Senior Principal Innovation Scout

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG is seeking a Senior Principal Innovation Scout in Basel to identify and evaluate emerging technologies for software and AI strategies.

The role focuses on continuously scanning for new technologies in the software and workflow space, assessing their potential through structured criteria, and converting external innovation signals into actionable improvements or strategic opportunities for the company.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate vendors, respond to RFI/RFP requests, and assess external partnerships.
• Spot early industry trends that might impact software, platform, or portfolio direction.
• Develop testable hypotheses and structured experiments from promising opportunities.
• Build rapid prototypes to validate assumptions and gather evidence for scaling initiatives.
• Set success metrics and learning goals to ensure experiments yield practical outcomes.
• Work with software and workflow leaders to advance pilots and scalable projects.
• Create clear and persuasive narratives for executive, technical, and delivery audiences.
• Guide investment and prioritization choices with data-backed recommendations.
• Build trust as a reliable advisor on new technologies and innovation prospects.
• Maintain a fast pace by emphasizing quick learning cycles and tangible results.
• Break down silos to speed up the adoption of innovative solutions.
• Encourage a team environment focused on curiosity, experimentation, and ongoing learning.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in the life sciences or pharmaceutical sector.
• A master's or higher degree in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Deep knowledge of scientific areas like biomedical research or data-driven science to properly contextulize technology evaluations.
• Comprehensive grasp of digital, software, data, and AI landscapes, including new capabilities and patterns.
• Skill in filtering out irrelevant data to identify meaningful signals in complex environments.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities to weigh opportunities based on value, feasibility, risk, and alignment.
• Experience in forming hypotheses and defining structured evaluation methods for early-stage ideas, linking tech trends to actual user and business needs.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling abilities to explain complex concepts to technical, product, and executive groups.
• Capacity to distill intricate ideas into clear insights and actionable, compelling recommendations.

What the company offers

• Annual base salary range of 93,800 to 174,200 CHF, with intermediate steps.
• Potential performance-based bonus subject to specific performance criteria.
• Competitive benefits including insurance, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, and global recognition programs.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements where feasible, plus at least 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

About the company

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG is dedicated to reimagining medicine through collaborative efforts and rewarding the contributions of its team members. The company encourages a work environment built on rapid learning, actionable results, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

• Commitment to reimagining medicine together and rewarding team contributions.
• Focus on rapid learning cycles and actionable outputs to maintain urgency.
• Cultivation of a culture centered on experimentation, curiosity, and ongoing learning.