Therapeutic Area Head, PK Sciences – Immunology

Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Internal Title: TA Head, PKS Immunology
Location: Basel

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary scientific leader to join us as TA Head, PK Sciences (PKS) Immunology. In this highly visible role, you will lead a cross-functional scientific organization spanning pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, and quantitative pharmacology across discovery, early development, and late-stage development. You will play a critical role in advancing the immunology portfolio, shaping integrated development strategies and enabling high-quality portfolio decisions.

As TA Head, PKS Immunology, you will provide strategic and scientific leadership across a portfolio of diverse modalities with a broad translational sciences remit. You will be responsible for defining fit-for-purpose development strategies across programs, ensuring scientific rigor in execution, and building strong partnerships across research, development, regulatory, and portfolio teams. This role requires a leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong organizational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to influence across a matrixed organization. You will also lead and develop scientists and serve as an important internal and external representative of the organization.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement integrated platform and program strategies from discovery through registration
• Support data-driven decision-making and differentiated development strategies for the immunology portfolio
• Oversee pharmacokinetic, clinical pharmacology, bioanalytical and quantitative pharmacology contributions to regulatory submissions and supporting documentation
• Support health authority interactions by ensuring high-quality scientific input into development and regulatory strategies
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across discovery, development, regulatory, and other key partner functions to ensure rigorous and efficient program execution
• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing scientific team, including oversight of PKS Immunology scientists
• Serve as a scientific thought leader internally and externally through collaborations, publications, presentations, and participation in relevant scientific forums
• Promote operational excellence through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and effective use of resources
• Leverage digital tools, AI, and automation, where appropriate, to enhance insight generation, efficiency, and decision-making

Leadership Behaviors in Action

• Deliver results through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on value and outcomes
• Demonstrate an enterprise mindset and strong ownership by prioritizing resources and decisions for maximum portfolio and patient impact
• Role‑model leadership behaviors through visible actions, continuous self‑reflection, and openness to feedback
• Build trust through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments
• Empower others to innovate and improve while maintaining high scientific, ethical, and operational standards

AI Fluency

• Bring strong AI and digital fluency, using enterprise tools to enhance insight generation, decision‑making, and team productivity
• Accountable for the ethical, transparent, and compliant use of AI in line with enterprise AI governance and data protection standards

External Eminence

• Act as an external thought leader, advancing and elevating Novartis’ reputation in translational science and innovation

Operational Excellence

• Drive operational excellence through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and effective use of resources to maximize PKS and enterprise value
• Act as a responsible steward of people, data, and digital capabilities, leveraging AI and automation to improve efficiency, quality, and decision speed
• Apply value‑based prioritization and resource awareness to ensure efforts are focused on the highest‑impact scientific and portfolio outcomes

Essential Requirements

• PhD or PharmD in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline
• Significant biopharmaceutical industry experience, typically 12 or more years, spanning preclinical and clinical drug research and development, including senior leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing scientific talent
• Strong understanding of global regulatory requirements and experience contributing to submissions such as INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, and BLAs
• Proven ability