Global Head Mechanistic Safety and Safety Signal Management

Summary

Imagine harnessing the full power of mechanistic science to redefine how the world safeguards patients. As Global Head of Mechanistic Safety and Safety Signal Management, you will set the vision for how Novartis discovers, interprets, and acts on emerging safety insights—turning complex biology into clarity, and clarity into bold, enterprise-wide decisions. You will inspire cross-functional leaders to anticipate risk before it appears, elevate global standards for safety across the development lifecycle, and champion a culture where scientific curiosity and decisive action work in harmony to protect every patient we serve.

About the Role

Major accountabilities:

• Lead enterprise-wide mechanistic safety strategy to anticipate, evaluate, and address emerging safety risks.
• Chair the Medical Safety Review Board to guide rapid and scientifically sound safety decision-making.
• Provide expert leadership across development teams to strengthen safety insights from early research to post-marketing.
• Drive mechanistic investigation of safety signals to inform confident project progression and risk mitigation.
• Oversee coordination of mechanistic activities across development, translational research, and clinical functions.
• Guide creation, review, and improvement of Risk Management Plans and safety mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate safety findings from preclinical and clinical projects to determine their translational significance.
• Foster collaboration with safety expert panels and ensure highest standards of scientific quality.
• Lead and develop mechanistic safety associates, nurturing expertise and scientific excellence.
• Build impactful internal and external partnerships to advance innovative safety methodologies and best practices.

Minimum Requirements:

• Medical degree with strong grounding in clinical sciences and patient safety.
• Fluent English (both spoken and written).
• Experience in the conduct of clinical trials phases 1, 2, 3.
• Extensive experience in drug development across preclinical and clinical stages in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven expertise in preparing or contributing to clinical and safety assessments and regulatory safety submissions.
• Demonstrated leadership in guiding cross-functional and multicultural teams within a matrix environment.
• Strong capability in managing complex safety issues using scientific, methodological, and analytical principles.
• Deep understanding of clinical trial methodology, regulatory expectations, scientific approaches, and publication development.
• Track record of peer-reviewed scientific publications demonstrating high scientific quality and expertise.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills to influence decision-making at all organizational levels.

Desirable Skills:

• Specialty Board Certification in a relevant medical field, such as Internal Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Gastroenterology, or Cardiology.
• Understanding of an additional major language, such as German or French, to support cross-regional collaboration.
• Additional experience working with statistical methods to strengthen scientific evaluation and interpretation.

Accessibility and accommodation

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Next Steps

If you are inspired by the opportunity to shape global safety strategy and advance scientific excellence at scale, we encourage you to apply. Join us and bring your vision, leadership, and expertise to a role where your impact truly protects patients and shapes the future of healthcare.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
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