About this role
Associate Director Technical Project Management - Novartis Contract Manufacturing
Summary
Technical Project Lead responsible for the end-to-end CMC execution of customer projects, acting as the primary interface between the customer and site functions. Leads cross-functional teams across DS, DP and Analytics, drives project strategy and execution, manages risks and stakeholder alignment, and ensures effective communication with customers and management. Requires strong biologics manufacturing expertise, CMO/CDMO experience, project leadership capabilities and a highly customer-focused, solution-oriented mindset.
About the Role
Major Accountabilities
- Act as the technical project lead and single point of contact for biologics Drug Substance (DS) programs manufactured within the Novartis Contract Manufacturing network.
- Own customer DS projects end to end, from Business Development and contract handover through technology transfer, site onboarding, GMP execution and validation.
- Lead cross-functional teams across DS development, manufacturing, MS&T, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial functions within the Novartis matrix organization.
- Translate contractual obligations and customer requirements into integrated project plans, governance, milestones, deliverables, and resource priorities.
- Ensure robust transfer and manufacturing readiness for mammalian and microbial DS processes.
- Drive delivery against customer commitments for quality, timelines, capacity, cost, and supply reliability, proactively managing technical, operational, regulatory, and commercial risks.
- Lead customer governance, including Joint Project Team and Joint Steering Committee meetings, and maintain trusted, transparent relationships throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Support change controls, deviations, investigations, CAPAs, regulatory submissions and inspections, and lifecycle improvements.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
- Minimum 5+ years of biopharmaceutical experience, with substantial exposure to biologics Drug Substance development, manufacturing, MS&T, technology transfer, or CMC project leadership.
- Strong technical understanding of mammalian and/or microbial DS processes, including upstream and downstream operations, process validation, analytical control strategies, and manufacturing scale-up.
- Demonstrated experience in managing external customers and delivering against contractual scope.
- Sound knowledge of GMP manufacturing operations, quality systems, change control, deviation and CAPA management, and global regulatory expectations.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional DS technology transfers and manufacturing programs within a global matrix organization.
- Strong commercial awareness, including the ability to connect technical execution with contract scope, customer commitments, capacity, cost, and supply performance.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical and operational issues, drive timely decisions, manage risk, and maintain a strong customer- and delivery-focused mindset.
Rewards
At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.
The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.
Expected Annual Base
Salary
Range for role: 85,900.00 - 159,500 EUR
The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.
Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.
Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf
Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph:
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.
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
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally. Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
Primary location salary range
€85,900.00 - €159,500
Division
Operations
Business Unit
Production / Manufacturing
Location
Austria
Site
Schaftenau
Company / Legal Entity
AT33 (FCRS = AT033) Novartis Pharmaceutical Manufacturing GmbH
Functional Area
Sales
Job Type
Full time
Employment Type
Regular
Shift Work
No