Executive Director, Data Strategy

Job Description Summary

This position will be located in East Hanover, NJ.

The Insights and Decision Science (IDS) team is dedicated to enabling improved decision-making at Novartis by leveraging data and advanced analytics capabilities to generate actionable insights that drive business growth. We collaborate closely with the US business, bringing insights and challenging ideas to empower smarter, data-driven decision-making. Reporting into Head, US Data Strategy and Governance, the Executive Director, Data Governance will play a critical role in establishing a comprehensive data strategy to support the US Commercial organization.

This position will be responsible for driving the strategic development and execution of IDS’ data strategy, ensuring alignment with Novartis’ broader business goals and long-term objectives. The Executive Director will lead the evolution of data strategy, working closely with senior leadership to shape and enforce data management policies that maximize business impact and value.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the creation and execution of a forward-thinking data strategy, ensuring data availability, adequacy, and strategic application for business transformation. 

• Partner with senior leaders across various teams to synchronize data strategy with broad business objectives, conducting high-level analyses, current state evaluations, and strategic gap analyses. 

• Oversee the enhancement and strategic use of the organization’s data catalog to provide insights into Novartis’ existing data portfolio, identifying potential gaps and opportunities for strategic data partnerships or acquisitions. 

• Drive collaboration with IDS teams to understand their data needs, defining and prioritizing strategic data sourcing, enrichment, and decommissioning initiatives. 

• Lead the development and ongoing refinement of data roadmaps to reflect the evolving data landscape and organizational data needs, working with the Data Partnerships team to support strategic data acquisition. 

• Engage with data partnerships teams to identify and capitalize on opportunities for addressing data gaps and exploring new and emerging strategic opportunities. 

• Communicate data strategy progress, challenges, and achievements to executive leadership, offering insights and recommendations for strategic decision-making. 

Essential Requirements:          

Novartis seeks an Executive Director with extensive experience in data strategy development and execution. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of data strategy best practices and possess a proven ability to manage initiatives tied to data management, sourcing, cataloging, and requirements gathering. Deep expertise of pharmaceutical data and external data vendors is required 

• 10+ years of experience in experience in data strategy, data governance, or related roles. 

• Strong expertise in data strategy principles, frameworks, and best practices.

• Familiarity with pharmaceutical data vendors and their respective data offerings.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 

• Ability to influence and drive change in a complex organizational environment. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess and manage data-related risks.

• Certification in data governance or related areas (e.g., DM-BOK, CDMP, etc.) 

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $214,900.00 and $399,100.00 a year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period.  Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

 

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

 

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Salary Range

$214,900.00 - $399,100.00

 

Skills Desired

Agility, Brand Awareness, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Engagement, Customer Experience, Customer Insights, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Go-To-Market Strategy, Influencing Skills, Inspirational Leadership, Marketing Strategy, People Management, Product Positioning, Product Roadmap, Sales, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Marketing