Executive Director Clinical Data Technology Platforms

Summary

The Executive Director, Clinical Data Technology Platforms occupies a pivotal organizational position to collaborate with ASCEND Functional and Service Area Leads, orchestrating the development of a cohe-sive strategy and overseeing the delivery of highly complex Development technology transformation pro-grams. This role ensures organizational congruence and flawless cross-functional execution for the pro-grams under purview (e.g., IDR, CDP, RBQM, Digital Protocol, NextGen Development Data Platform, and SCAPE).

In the capacity of Executive Director, Clinical Data Technology Platforms of Strategic Programs, there may be occasions to act on behalf of the Head of ASCEND Strategy & Transformation, serving as a leader and representative for ASCEND’s Portfolio/Program Management Office. This encompasses the realms of Program Management, Process, Product, and Change Management. The Executive Director is charged with the comprehensive scoping, delivery, and execution of strategic technology transformation programs within the ASCEND framework.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic oversight and execution of transformation programs (e.g., IDR, CDP, RBQM, NextGen Data Platform, Cloudscapes), ensuring alignment across Development functions.
• Define and drive integrated, standardized approaches leveraging technology to deliver scalable, end-to-end solutions.
• Partner with ASCEND chapter leads and cross-functional teams to translate strategy into executable integrated plans.
• Champion adoption of AI/GenAI through PoCs and scalable solutions, aligned with enterprise AI initiatives.
• Ensure quality, consistency, and excellence of all program deliverables, strategic artifacts, and documentation.
• Drive transparent communication on delivery status, risks, and issues, enabling informed decision-making.
• Identify resource gaps, propose mitigation strategies, and escalate as needed to ensure program continuity.
• Lead complex cross-functional collaborations and external partnerships, fostering alignment and innovative problem-solving.
• Set delivery priorities, monitor execution, and drive enterprise-level outcomes across multiple initiatives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and governance across teams, fostering a high-performance, innovation-driven culture.
  
  

Minimum Responsibilities

• 20+ years of cross-industry experience, including ~10 years in pharma, with extensive leadership across complex, global, and cross-functional teams.
• Proven expertise in leading large-scale global technology transformation programs with strong portfolio and program management capabilities.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate complex environments, and drive strategic decision-making, scenario planning, and risk mitigation.
• Deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, executive communication, and bridging scientific and business functions to deliver impactful outcomes.
• Advanced planning, prioritization, and tracking capabilities with proficiency in program management tools, managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
  
  

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

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