Job Description Summary

The Associate Director Governance & Operations leads a Governance & Operations team within BSI Operations with full accountability to enable operational excellence for BSI and International Commercial Medical and Value & Access functions.

The role serves as the operational backbone for BSI ensuring scalable processes trusted data efficient digital & AI solutions and decision-enabling insights that support business priorities across International functions and markets. The Associate Director drives operational excellence through strong governance AI-enabled innovation BSI Operations tools ownership and continuous process simplification while ensuring alignment with BSI CLS Finance P&O DDIT CLS and regional stakeholders.

The position is responsible for defining and evolving the Governance & Operations operating model ensuring high adoption of tools process adherence robust data quality and controls and sustainable value creation across BSI Operations

 

Job Description

Key responsibilities:  

Governance & Operating Model Leadership

Define and execute the Governance & Operations priorities roadmap and service model aligned to CLS priorities.

Establish governance frameworks operating procedures service standards and performance metrics.

Drive process simplification standardization and continuous improvement across operational processes.

Ensure operational governance supports business priorities compliance requirements and organizational objectives.

Lead governance forums reviews and cross-functional decision-making discussions.

Platform Process & Product Ownership

Own the portfolio of Governance & Operation tools dashboards and automation solutions.

Govern enhancement roadmaps release planning adoption performance and user experience standards.

Ensure key operational processes including workforce planning travel approvals centralized purchasing enablement demand tracking budget management and operational reporting are effectively supported through digital solutions.

Establish a scalable and sustainable operating model for platform ownership and support.

Data Governance Reporting & Insights

Own BSI data governance data quality integrity and reporting strategy.

Ensure trusted timely and decision-enabling reporting across workforce budget demand portfolio and operational performance domains.

Establish data quality controls source-data accountability and governance processes with business and functional stakeholders.

Drive maturity of reporting capabilities through Power BI automation and advanced analytics.

Ensure operational metrics and insights support leadership decision making. turn9search1

Digital Transformation & AI Enablement

Lead digital transformation initiatives across Governance & Operations.

Drive adoption of Power Platform automation AI/GenAI and workflow simplification opportunities.

Evaluate and scale Agentic AI and intelligent automation use cases where business value is demonstrated.

Drive innovation through continuous modernization of tools processes and operating practices. Lead by example with hands-on experimentation.

Improve operational productivity and user experience through technology-enabled solutions.

Organization Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Lead organization design resource planning capability building succession planning and talent development.

Build strong partnerships with Finance P&O DDIT Procurement CLS and BSI leadership teams.

Drive stakeholder alignment governance compliance and value realization across BSI Operations.

Lead prioritization risk management and portfolio governance across multiple initiatives.

Foster a culture of accountability innovation customer-centricity and operational excellence.

Governance and operating model design

Enterprise data governance and controls

Digital platform strategy and product ownership

GenAI AI and MS Power Platform ecosystem (Power BI Power Apps Power Automate SharePoint)

AI automation and digital innovation

Workforce planning and operational governance

Budget spend and portfolio governance

Reporting and analytics strategy

Senior stakeholder management and influencing

Organization leadership and capability development

Risk management and prioritization

Change leadership and transformation management

Essential Requirements:  

Delivery of Governance & Operations roadmap and strategic priorities

Adoption and value realization of AI enabled digital platforms and operational tools incl. hands-on experimentation & innovation.

Improvement in data quality governance maturity and reporting trust

Operational efficiency gains through automation and AI enablement

Effectiveness of workforce planning budget governance and operational reporting

Timely delivery of platform enhancements and transformation initiatives

Stakeholder satisfaction and governance effectiveness

Team engagement capability development and succession readiness

Ideal Background

15+ years of relevant experience in operations governance digital & AI transformation business excellence or related leadership roles.

Proven experience leading governance automation or operational excellence functions.

Experience managing digital & AI products and transformation initiatives.

Strong understanding of workforce planning process excellence and operational controls.

Experience working across Finance P&O Procurement DDIT and business functions in a global environment.

Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional programs and organizational change initiatives.

Strong strategic thinking stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Experience building and leading high-performing teams and operational excellence.

Strong digital & AI mindset with proven hands-on experience in AI automation and data-driven decision making.

Proven hands-on experience in using AI/GenAI (e.g. Co-Pilot Studio and Cowork or other similar platforms like Claude or ChatGPT) and MS Power Platform ecosystem (Power BI Power Apps Power Automate SharePoint)

Pharmaceutical healthcare life sciences or similarly regulated industry experience preferred.

Desirable Requirements:

Strategic Leadership

Governance & Operating Model Design

Digital Transformation

Product & Platform Governance

Data Governance & Stewardship

Workforce Planning Governance

AI & Automation Leadership

Stakeholder Influence

Organizational Development

Change Leadership

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Risk Management

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: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards   

 

Skills Desired

Cross-Functional Collaboration Customer Engagement Customer Insights Data Analytics Digital Marketing Market Research Media Campaigns Product Marketing Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder Management Team Leadership Waterfall Model