Therapy Area Medical Head

Role Overview

Therapy Area Medical Head at Novartis. The role leads medical strategy and execution for a therapeutic franchise, ensuring scientific excellence, strong stakeholder engagement, and alignment with global and local business objectives.

Role Purpose

Lead the medical strategy and execution for a therapeutic franchise while managing the Franchise Medical team and representing Medical Affairs within the franchise leadership structure. Ensure scientific excellence, strong stakeholder engagement, and alignment with global and local business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute the Therapy Area Medical Strategy aligned with global and regional strategy.
• Integrate planning for launch readiness, lifecycle management, and patient access.
• Translate strategy into an operational medical plan for the country or cluster.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the Therapy Area Medical team, including Medical leads and Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs).
• Manage and motivate team members of diverse backgrounds.

Alignment & Governance

• Ensure strong alignment with commercial, regulatory, and access strategies.
• Maintain high standards of medical and scientific credibility within the organization.
• Ensure compliance with pharmacovigilance and regulatory standards.

Medical & Scientific Operations

• Oversee medical information, evidence generation, and scientific exchange with stakeholders.
• Support and oversee clinical trials (Phase I–IV), investigator-initiated studies (IITs), and non-interventional studies (NIS).

Stakeholder Engagement & Policy

• Provide medical insights to shape clinical practice and healthcare policy.

Qualifications & Experience

• MD, MBBS, PharmD, or PhD in Life Sciences required; MBA is a plus.
• More than 10 years' experience in Medical Affairs function in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with specialty products.
• Experience and familiarity with the healthcare landscape in Saudi Arabia.
• Significant leadership experience with proven ability to manage and motivate diverse teams.

Additional Information

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