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 to work effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment and influence across teams and organizational levels
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of scientific rigor and sound judgment

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in immunological disease
• Experience in bioanalytical assay development and immunogenicity assessments
• Demonstrated experience across different modalities, including small molecules, mAbs, and potentially CAR-T cell therapies
• Familiarity with late-stage development and registration-enabling activities
• Experience applying digital tools, AI, or machine learning to scientific decision-making and development execution
• Track record of external scientific visibility through publications, presentations, or industry/academic engagement

Benefits & Rewards 

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen. 

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 

• 169,400.00 - 314,600.00 CHF Annual

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. 

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. 

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave. 

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.  

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics. 

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: 

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO

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

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 Voir email sur novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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?

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)