About the Role

　　6000! This is the number of associates in the Novartis BioMedical Research (BR). This division is the innovation engine of Novartis, focusing on new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

　　The Biologics Research Center (BRC) is accommodated within the BR. BRC, in collaboration with the disease areas (DA) and technical expert groups, builds the future biologics therapy pipeline of Novartis through the discovery and creation of new antibody, protein, nucleic acid and virus-based molecules.

　　We are seeking a highly motivated scientist and leader to join the Project and Portfolio Management group within Biologics Research Center (BRC) at our Basel site in Switzerland. We are looking for experience in early research project leadership in the field of Biotherapeutics or siRNA therapeutics, with an emphasis on mAbs, multispecific Abs and therapeutic proteins, ADC molecules or siRNA technologies. Our group is driving successful execution of a wide range of biologics projects. This starts with early strategic and operational discussions on therapeutic concept and drug candidate generation, assembly of internal teams and execution of desired strategy, up to technical leadership of early process development and the developability assessment of candidate compounds. You will be reporting to the Head of BRC's Project and Portfolio Management.

　　What you'll be doing (key responsibilities, but not limited to):

　　• Work collaboratively with cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, spanning multiple NVS global sites to discover and develop efficient Biotherapeutic- or siRNA-based therapies.

　　• Co-lead projects with DA project lead; formulate and execute on project strategy, manage interfaces with DAs, including timelines, priority, board presentations.

　　• Build and lead internal BRC teams of experimental scientists. Seek technical and operational input from key BRC / BR / Novartis stakeholders to build the project execution plan.

　　• Lead BRC internal project meetings. Collect and interprets data to advance project, adapts strategy, and addresses the right scientific questions. Ensure team discussions and decisions are summarized in minutes. Ensure that key milestones and go / no go criteria are data driven and clearly defined. Own quality of project information and make sure project information is accurate and included in the system(s) in a timely matter.

　　• Guide projects with respect to biotherapeutic approaches for discovery, formats, modalities and technologies, and leads corresponding efforts. Lead developability assessment, manufacturing cell line development and early process development. Track and oversee projects by maintaining an overview of the project goals, activities and commitments, and timelines of project teams, in line with strategic priorities. Manage and optimize project plans and resource assignments with the aim to manage/mitigate risks.

　　• Aligns with BRC LT and BRC DA rep on project strategy and resourcing. Regular project/portfolio updates to BRC LT.

　　• Represent BRC in and actively contribute to BR core project team. Represent BRC in TRD CMC sub-team up to Gate 2. Manages interfaces to TRD TPLs, BRC and EPD LFs on aspects of project management (timelines, strategy, priority). Conducts planning and resource alignments (e.g. from final vector onwards).

　　• Manages and communicates project status, issues, and options for resolution to ensure optimal and timely information flow to all stakeholders (BR and TRD).

　　• Foster effective, proactive and open communication within and across project teams, build trust among team members to achieve transparency and clarity of program goals, progress and issues. Mentor less experienced team members.

　　• Contribute to vendor/CRO evaluations, coordination of outsourcing requests, budget monitoring and communication, evaluation of external collaborations and due diligence.

　　• Ensure best practices, knowledge exchange and continuous mentoring and training of our team members.

　　Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

　　We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

　　Role Requirements

　　• PhD with a strong background in Biotherapeutics or siRNA.

　　• 5+ years of relevant biotech/pharma experience, including focus on biotherapeutic/ siRNA therapeutic design, production, characterization and delivery.

　　• Previous track record of success in leadership position, working with international and multidisciplinary drug development teams.

　　• Ambitious, yet highly collaborative and fully committed to team's and project success.

　　• Result- and quality oriented. Able to deal with conflicting interests and willing to make compromises to ensure project progress.

　　• Excellent project management skills, organizational and team management skills, interpersonal communication, strong verbal and written communication.

　　• Creativity with demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ability to pay attention to detail but also see a bigger picture.

　　• Comfortable with ambiguity and change, eager and fast learner willing to adopt new tools and processes.

　　• Ability to operate in a fast-paced dynamic environment and effectively process multiple avenues of communication and requests in parallel.

　　Why Novartis?

　　769 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2020, and while we're proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people's lives.

　　We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.

　　We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what's possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world's toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying!

　　Imagine what you could do here at Novartis!

　　Join our Novartis Network:

　　If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

　　Division

　　Biomedical Research

　　Business Unit

　　BIOLOGICS NIBR

　　Location

　　Switzerland

　　Site

　　Basel

　　Company / Legal Entity

　　Novartis Pharma AG

　　Functional Area

　　Research & Development

　　Job Type

　　Full Time

　　Employment Type

　　Regular

　　Shift Work

　　No