Vendor Program Strategy Director

Novartis, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

Summary

Location: London or Dublin
Role Type: Hybrid Working

The Vendor Program Strategy Director (VPSD) acts as the Business Partner for all vendor activities with the Clinical Operational Program Head (COPH). In collaboration with the Portfolio Innovation Director, External Relationship Management Teams and Procurement, the VPSD defines the program vendor strategy end‑to‑end. The VPSD is accountable at program level for vendor delivery across the clinical study lifecycle in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, ICH, SOPs and regulations.

About the Role

• End‑to‑end accountability for all supplier related activities at a program level across Global Drug Development Portfolio
• Manages a program view of supplier performance relative to the defined strategy
• Defines and aligns program strategies in close collaboration with Alliance Lead, ERMT, PID and Procurement
• In collaboration with Vendor Alliance Leads, reviews geographic scope of global vendors and drives local vendor service delivery discussions with country representatives in case of gaps
• Understands upcoming portfolio demand within Program through COPH role and pushes information to Vendor organization
• Understands and translates new service needs, engages with Vendor Alliance Lead for vendors to be identified, qualified, and contracted to support future Programs/Trials
• Supports activities for Health Authority inspections/Audit readiness
• Enables early engagement with suppliers during protocol development & feasibility stage and serves as single point of contact for Trial Vendor Management Team representative for program level strategies

Key Performance Indicators

End‑to‑end Supplier Service Delivery at the Program and Trial Level – Accountable for all external clinical activities for defined program strategies.

• Lead supplier decision making sessions with other key internal and external partners.
• Provide program pipeline visibility.
• In collaboration with the ERMT, proactive vendor risk management, assessing trends, quality issues and contract issues, driving suppliers quality improvement at program level.
• Trial and Program timelines through supplier related start‑up, recruitment, maintenance and closeout activities.

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years relevant industry experience, including expertise in clinical operations leadership of multidisciplinary teams, experience managing outsourced trial activities at an operational and strategic level
• Advanced degree in science or business with equivalent experience
• Demonstrated executive leadership in developing and managing external and internal strategic relationships
• Experience with clinical processes and associated supplier services, with excellent understanding of trial management, trial monitoring and overall integration of clinical data system and processes
• Strong technical and problem‑solving skills. Excellent understanding of clinical trial methodology, GCP and medical terminology
• Excellent understanding of clinical development, quality & regulatory standards and policies relevant to defined services
• Provide thought‑leading insights to the competitive environment and internal partner interfaces
• Outstanding skills to facilitate/optimise contribution of team members as individuals and as part of a cohesive team

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

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

Seniority Level

Executive

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Business Development and Sales

Why Novartis

Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. With our people, we drive each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us!