Director, Development Integration Lead

Work arrangement: Hybrid or remote. Primary locations: Cambridge, MA or East Hanover, NJ. Relocation support is not offered; candidates must be accessible to these sites or eligible for a Distant Working Arrangement in exceptional circumstances.

About the role

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As Director, Development Integration Lead, you will lead the end-to-end integration of acquired and partnered Development assets that shape our pipeline and accelerate value delivery for patients and the business. This role demands a rare combination of strategic vision, operational excellence, and the interpersonal authority to align senior executives, cross-functional teams, and external partners around a common integration agenda. You will build and sustain the structures, governance, and relationships that make complex integrations succeed in a global matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration strategy, planning, and execution for acquired and partnered Development assets.
• Partner with executives and cross-functional teams to deliver seamless integrations that maximize asset value.
• Drive governance, decision-making, risk management, and escalation processes across complex integration programs.
• Oversee integration portfolios, ensuring milestones, budgets, benefits realization, and operational outcomes are achieved.
• Lead cross-Business Organization initiatives and foster alignment across Development, Research, Quality, and partner organizations.
• Champion continuous improvement by embedding best practices, standardized methodologies, and integration playbooks.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders while enabling high-performing global matrix teams to deliver results.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, with significant experience in pharmaceutical development, life sciences, drug development, or a related industry.
• Proven experience leading complex external projects, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, or integration initiatives within a highly matrixed environment.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, build trusted relationships, and navigate complex organizational structures.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and driving alignment across diverse functions, organizations, and business priorities.
• Exceptional program and project management capabilities, including experience applying structured methodologies to deliver complex initiatives.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure ambiguity and drive action-oriented solutions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high degree of ownership, accountability, collaboration, and commitment to delivering business impact.

Qualifications

• Advanced business qualification such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Experience leading global integration programs across acquisitions, partnerships, or cross-business organization initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) with company contribution and match.
• Generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.
• Performance-based cash incentive and eligibility for annual equity awards (role-dependent).

Pay

The salary for this position is expected to range between $185,500 and $344,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on relevant skills and experience and is reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.