Senior Clinical Trial Leader - Translational Medicine

Key Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and operational leadership for assigned global early‑phase clinical trials, with a focus on medium‑ to high‑complexity studies.
• Accountable for end‑to‑end study delivery from study design through to final reporting.
• Independently lead the clinical protocol development process, serving as author for protocols and related documents in close collaboration with Medical Leads and cross‑functional partners.
• Drive study feasibility assessment and operational execution planning to ensure studies are scientifically robust and operationally deliverable.
• Lead and coordinate global, cross‑functional Clinical Trial Teams (CTTs), fostering effective collaboration and alignment across functions and geographies.
• Forecast and manage study budgets in partnership with functional colleagues and vendors.
• Lead the ongoing scientific and medical review of clinical trial data, including safety trend analysis, signal detection and interpretation of emerging results.
• Contribute to Clinical Study Reports (CSRs), internal decision documents, publications and external scientific communications.
• Share lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of trial delivery and ways of working within CSI and Translational Medicine.
• Act as a positive role model within study teams, supporting effective team dynamics, knowledge sharing and high standards of scientific and operational excellence.

Expected Prior Experience / Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or healthcare required; advanced degree (MSc, PhD, PharmD, MD or equivalent) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience acting as Clinical Scientist or Study Leader for global clinical trials, with ~6+ years’ experience in clinical trials and/or development.
• Strong experience in protocol development, study design and clinical data interpretation, with the ability to operate across therapeutic areas.
• Proven ability to lead and influence study teams in a matrix environment, building strong working relationships and driving delivery through collaboration.
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of personal ownership and accountability, navigating ambiguity and making informed study‑level decisions.
• A clear growth mindset, with interest in developing own capabilities and contributing positively to team effectiveness and the wider CSI culture.
• Solid understanding of ICH‑GCP, regulatory requirements and high‑quality clinical trial conduct.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

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