Therapeutic Area Head, PK Sciences - Immunology

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG seeks an Executive Therapeutic Area Head for PK Sciences in Immunology, based in Basel. This role leads scientific strategy and team development for the immunology portfolio.

The company is looking for a senior scientific leader to define and execute integrated platform strategies for its immunology portfolio, guiding programs from early discovery through to regulatory registration. This position serves as a key internal and external thought leader, ensuring that pharmacokinetic and clinical pharmacology insights drive high-quality decision-making and support health authority interactions.

Responsibilities

• Guide data-driven strategies and differentiated development plans for the immunology portfolio.
• Manage pharmacokinetic, clinical pharmacology, bioanalytical, and quantitative pharmacology inputs for regulatory filings.
• Provide high-quality scientific expertise to support interactions with health authorities.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration among discovery, development, regulatory, and partner teams.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing scientific team.
• Champion operational excellence through disciplined execution, resource optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Utilize digital tools, AI, and automation to improve efficiency, insight generation, and decision-making.
• Represent the company as an external thought leader to enhance its reputation in translational science and innovation.

Requirements

• PhD or PharmD in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, biochemistry, or a related field.
• At least 12 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, covering preclinical and clinical R&D.
• Proven people leadership skills, including hiring, mentoring, and developing scientific talent.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory requirements and experience with submissions like INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, and BLAs.
• Ability to influence across teams and organizational levels in a matrixed environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, backed by scientific rigor.

Nice to have

• Experience with immunological diseases.
• Background in bioanalytical assay development and immunogenicity assessments.
• Experience across different modalities, such as small molecules, mAbs, and CAR-T cell therapies.
• Familiarity with late-stage development and registration-enabling activities.
• Track record of applying digital tools, AI, or machine learning to scientific decision-making.
• External scientific visibility through publications, presentations, or industry/academic engagement.

What the company offers

• Expected Annual Base Salary Range: 169,400.00 - 314,600.00 CHF Annual
• Performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters
• Competitive benefits in kind including insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs
• Flexible and hybrid working options, where possible
• Minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package

About the company

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG is committed to reimagining medicine together, delivering results through disciplined execution and a strong focus on value and outcomes. The company demonstrates an enterprise mindset, prioritizing resources for maximum portfolio and patient impact. Leadership behaviors are role-modeled through visible actions, continuous self-reflection, and openness to feedback. Trust is built through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments. The organization empowers others to innovate while maintaining high scientific, ethical, and operational standards.

• Committed to reimagining medicine together
• Deliver results through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on value and outcomes
• Demonstrate an enterprise mindset and strong ownership by prioritizing resources and decisions for maximum portfolio and patient impact
• Role-model leadership behaviors through visible actions, continuous self-reflection, and openness to feedback
• Build trust through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments
• Empower others to innovate and improve while maintaining high scientific, ethical, and operational standards