Therapeutic Area Strategy Director, Oncology & Hematology

Novartis seeks a Therapeutic Area Strategy Director for Oncology & Hematology in Basel, Switzerland. The role involves shaping a comprehensive, growth-focused strategy for the therapeutic area, leveraging market insights and cross-functional collaboration in a hybrid work environment.

This role supports the development and evolution of a comprehensive Therapeutic Area strategy for Oncology & Hematology at Novartis, aiming to drive sustainable growth across short, mid, and long-term horizons.

Responsibilities

• Contributes external benchmarking, analysis, and strategic insights to help shape a holistic Novartis strategy for Oncology & Hematology, supporting growth objectives over multiple timeframes.
• Applies deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and Oncology & Hematology to identify competitive advantages and differentiate Novartis from peers.
• Delivers key commercial insights to R&D teams, especially for early-stage programs, to inform strategic decisions.
• Reviews industry reports and publications to extract critical information and develop product forecasts.
• Supports the creation of strategic external insights for the therapeutic area, identifying growth opportunities, competitive threats, and strategic levers, including commissioning targeted primary research.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• An advanced degree (PhD, MD, or other advanced university degree) in life sciences or healthcare, or equivalent experience; an MBA, consulting background, or similar experience is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of Oncology and Hematology therapeutic areas, or proven ability to quickly acquire the necessary expertise.
• Highly adaptable, able to manage multiple strategic disease areas and programs across internal and external initiatives.
• Extensive experience evaluating new product opportunities via M&A, business development, licensing, or 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 U.S. market, including direct engagement with U.S. customers and healthcare systems.

Nice to have

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

What the company offers

• A hybrid work model is available, supporting flexible work arrangements.

About the company

Novartis is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, reflecting the patients and communities it serves.

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