Associate Director - Business Process Excellence

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Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Business Process Excellence will lead strategic process simplification and re-engineering initiatives across the end-to-end drug development value chain, from Portfolio Entry to Regulatory Approval. The role is responsible for driving measurable improvements in cycle time, productivity, quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness through structured problem solving, Lean Six Sigma, Agile methodologies, and process redesign.
Working across Development line functions, the individual will act as an internal transformation leader, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, challenging the status quo, and embedding a process-first mindset to accelerate organizational performance and business outcomes.

Job Description

Major accountabilities:

Process Re-engineering & Business Transformation

Lead end-to-end process redesign initiatives using Value Chain Analysis and Zero-Based Process Redesign methodologies.
Identify and eliminate inefficiencies, bottlenecks, waste, and non-value-added activities across Development processes.
Design future-state processes that leverage digital, technology, and AI-enabled capabilities.
Drive simplification programs with measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, compliance, and productivity.

Strategic Program Leadership

Lead and support enterprise-wide transformation initiatives including:

o Cycle Time Acceleration Programs

o Technology Transformation (e.g., ASCEND and Digital initiatives)

o AI-enabled Productivity Programs

o Operational Excellence and Process Simplification Programs

Partner with stakeholders across Development to align transformation priorities and execute strategic change.

Structured Problem Solving & Facilitation·

Apply Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Design Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to address complex business challenges.
Independently facilitate workshops, process redesign sessions, and leadership discussions.
Develop data-driven recommendations and business cases for senior leaders.

Stakeholder Engagement & Capability Building

Influence stakeholders without formal authority and drive alignment across functions.
Build strong relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
Coach teams on process excellence principles, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Promote a culture of process ownership, simplification, and continuous improvement

Essential Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Biotechnology, Business, or related discipline.
12-14+ years of experience in Process Excellence, Operational Excellence, Business Transformation, Continuous Improvement, or Management Consulting.
Hands on Experience in Pharmaceutical R&D, Drug Development, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, or Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
Demonstrated expertise in Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Process Management, Value Stream Mapping, and Business Process Re-engineering.
Proven experience leading complex cross-functional transformation initiatives.
Strong workshop facilitation, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills.

Desirables Skills

Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, PharmD) preferred.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt/Master Black Belt certification.
Agile, Scrum, SAFe, PMP, or Change Management certifications.
Experience in digital transformation, process automation, AI adoption, and data-driven decision making.

Skills Desired

Clinical Research, Drug Development, Financial Management, Microsoft Project, Program Management, Project Delivery, Project Planning, Resource Allocation, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Waterfall Model

How we score this

Associate Director - Business Process Excellence at Novartis scores 21 out of 100 on AI centrality, which makes it AI Level 1 of 4 (Little AI) on this board. The level measures how much of the work is AI, not seniority.

Classification

AI Level 1. The work itself involves no AI, or AI only appears as scenery, such as a company tagline.