Exec Dir, Product Strategy Lead - FSHD

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Executive Director, Product Strategy Lead - FSHD

Company: Novartis

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States / East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy & Management (with strong Revenue Operations implications)

Date Posted: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and integrated execution for a specific product indication within the US market, focusing on maximizing patient impact and commercial success.

• Drive P&L management for the assigned product, making critical trade-off decisions in collaboration with cross-functional teams and the General Manager.

• Orchestrate and measure the performance of cross-functional strategies, ensuring alignment and accountability across Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other key functions.

• Contribute to enterprise-level strategic decisions, including potential trade-offs between different products and indications to optimize overall business performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled 'Product Strategy Lead', its significant involvement in P&L management, resource allocation, and driving topline results firmly places it within the sphere of revenue operations and strategic commercial operations. The emphasis on integrating strategies from Marketing, Sales, and Market Access indicates a need for strong GTM (Go-To-Market) operational understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define critical integrated priorities and key impact measures (KPIs) for the assigned product/indication in close consultation with the cross-functional product strategy team and under the General Manager's leadership.

• Lead the implementation and ongoing measurement of the integrated product strategy, taking decisive action against KPIs to elevate product impact and achieve revenue objectives.

• Make significant contributions to the P&L of the assigned product/indication, enabling partner functions to effectively manage day-to-day resource allocation and operational execution.

• Drive topline results through strategic choices and effective execution of integrated plans, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.

• Facilitate integrated cross-functional resource allocation decisions to ensure maximum impact and efficient deployment of budgets and personnel.

• Establish and coordinate the management of KPIs across all functions accountable for the integrated product strategy, ensuring clear performance tracking and reporting.

• Appropriately partner with functional heads to navigate complex trade-off decisions, balancing competing priorities to achieve strategic outcomes.

• Collaborate with other General Managers and members of the Product Strategy team on enterprise-level decisions, including strategic trade-offs between different products or indications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize strategic decision-making, financial oversight (P&L), and cross-functional coordination, which are hallmarks of senior roles in GTM operations and revenue operations leadership. The requirement to "take decisive action against the KPIs" and "partner with functional heads in trade-off decisions" points to a need for strong analytical and operational execution capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Experience:

• Required:

  • 10+ years of experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare consulting industry.
  • This experience must include at least two different types of cross-functional roles (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Novartis Patient Support (NPS), Insights and Decision Science (IDS), Medical Affairs), with each role lasting a minimum of one year.
  • 3+ years of direct responsibility for managing large budgets, including owning key product trade-off decisions.
  • 3+ years of experience leading and translating an integrated product strategy, requiring global and local alignment.
  • Experience with the US Market, including product launch phases and product lifecycle management. Alternatively, General Manager experience in other countries can be considered.

• Preferred:

  • Direct therapeutic area experience relevant to the product.
  • Strong preference for US market experience.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy Development & Execution: Proven ability to define, translate, and implement comprehensive product strategies.

• P&L Management & Financial Acumen: Demonstrated experience in managing product P&Ls and making strategic financial decisions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration: Ability to effectively lead and influence diverse teams across multiple functions (Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical, etc.).

• Strategic Planning & Prioritization: Skill in setting critical priorities, defining KPIs, and driving execution against strategic objectives.

• Stakeholder Management: Expertise in engaging with and influencing senior leadership and functional heads.

• US Market Expertise: Deep understanding of the US pharmaceutical market dynamics, launch strategies, and lifecycle management.

• Budget Management: Proven capability in managing large budgets and making complex resource allocation decisions.

• Analytical & Decision-Making Skills: Ability to analyze complex data, identify risks, and make decisive trade-off decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Therapeutic Area Knowledge: Specific expertise in the relevant disease area.

• Global Market Experience: Broader understanding of international pharmaceutical markets.

• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of commercial excellence, revenue growth drivers, and value proposition development.

• Influencing & Negotiation Skills: Ability to effectively negotiate and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Inspirational Leadership: Capacity to motivate and guide teams towards a shared vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "cross-functional roles/experience" means candidates must demonstrate a breadth of operational exposure. The requirement for direct responsibility in budget management and trade-off decisions highlights the need for candidates with a strong grasp of financial operations and strategic resource allocation, akin to a Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Head of Operations at a product level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Frameworks: Showcase examples of integrated product strategy frameworks developed and implemented, detailing the process from conception to execution.

• P&L Impact Case Studies: Present case studies demonstrating direct contributions to P&L improvement through strategic decisions, resource optimization, or revenue growth initiatives. Quantify impact with clear metrics and ROI.

• Cross-Functional Integration Examples: Illustrate how you have successfully integrated strategies and operations across multiple functions (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical), detailing collaboration mechanisms and outcome measurement.

• Resource Allocation & Trade-off Documentation: Provide evidence of managing large budgets and making critical trade-off decisions, explaining the rationale and the resulting impact on product performance.

Process Documentation:

• Integrated Strategy Development: Documented processes for developing comprehensive, data-driven product strategies that align with broader business objectives and market dynamics.

• KPI Definition & Management: Methodologies for defining, tracking, and managing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across diverse functional areas to ensure accountability and performance measurement.

• Cross-Functional Workflow Optimization: Examples of optimizing workflows and operational processes to enhance collaboration, speed, and agility across teams.

• Performance Analysis & Decision-Making: Processes for analyzing performance data, identifying areas for improvement or risk, and informing critical decision-making, particularly regarding trade-offs and resource allocation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this executive level, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list achievements but demonstrate a deep understanding of how those achievements were realized through structured processes, strategic frameworks, and effective operational execution. Candidates should be prepared to walk through specific examples of their strategic planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional integration methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated salary range for this position is between $236,600.00 and $439,400.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Performance-Based Cash Incentive: Annual bonus tied to individual and company performance.

• Annual Equity Awards: Eligibility for stock options or restricted stock units, depending on the role level, to align long-term incentives with company growth.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Life insurance.
  • Disability benefits (short-term and long-term).

• Retirement Savings:

  • 401(k) plan with company contribution and match, designed to support long-term financial planning.

• Generous Time Off:

  • Vacation days for rest and rejuvenation.
  • Personal days for flexibility.
  • Paid holidays.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek is approximately 40 hours.

• Given the executive nature of the role and its responsibilities in P&L and strategic decision-making, flexibility may be required to meet business demands, including potential extended hours during critical project phases or strategic planning cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is substantial, reflecting the senior executive nature and the direct impact on revenue and business strategy. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for large pharmaceutical companies, and includes long-term incentives like equity, which are common for Director-level and above roles. The mention of "performance-based cash incentive" and "annual equity awards" underscores the results-oriented nature of this role, aligning with revenue and operational performance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology. Novartis is a global healthcare company at the forefront of discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing an array of innovative medicines. The company operates within a highly regulated and competitive landscape, emphasizing scientific innovation, patient-centricity, and operational excellence.

Company Size: Large multinational corporation, employing tens of thousands of individuals globally. This scale offers significant resources, opportunities for cross-functional and international collaboration, and a structured environment for career development.

Founded: 1996, through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Novartis has a long history rooted in scientific discovery and has evolved into a leader in innovative medicine, with a strong focus on R&D and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Team Structure:

• Integrated Product Strategy Organization: This role sits within a team structure designed to foster collaboration and integrated decision-making for product success. The team typically includes General Managers, Product Strategy Leads, and functional heads from Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other critical areas.

• Reporting Structure: The Executive Director, Product Strategy Lead reports to a General Manager for the Product or Portfolio, indicating a direct line of accountability for strategic outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role is inherently cross-functional, requiring deep collaboration and alignment with all departments involved in bringing a product to market and managing its lifecycle. This includes close partnerships with commercial teams, medical affairs, market access, patient support, and insights/analytics functions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Novartis emphasizes the use of data and insights to inform strategic choices, measure performance, and optimize operational execution.

• Agile & Transformational Approach: The company promotes agility and a mindset geared towards business-critical transformation, encouraging speed, efficiency, and adaptability in its operations and strategies.

• Patient-Centricity: A core tenet of Novartis's approach is focusing on patient needs and outcomes, ensuring that all strategies and operations ultimately serve to benefit patients.

Company Website: https://www.novartis.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Novartis's culture of innovation, scientific rigor, and patient focus is crucial. The "Integrated Product Strategy Organization" implies a matrixed environment where collaboration and influence are key operational skills. The emphasis on "agility" and "transformation" suggests the company is undergoing or embracing significant operational changes, which this role is expected to lead or contribute to.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Executive Director (Level 7). This is a senior leadership position with significant strategic responsibility, impacting product performance, P&L, and cross-functional alignment. It represents a high level of influence and decision-making authority within the organization.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to a General Manager for the Product/Portfolio. This indicates a high level of visibility and direct impact on executive-level decisions. The role also acts as a key collaborator and influencer within the GM's leadership team.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on the company's revenue growth and profitability through strategic product management, resource allocation, and cross-functional operational integration. The successful execution of the product strategy directly influences market share, patient access, and ultimately, the financial success of the assigned product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to General Manager roles, Head of Commercial Operations, or other senior leadership positions within Novartis's commercial or strategic functions.

• Therapeutic Area Specialization: Deepening expertise within specific therapeutic areas, allowing for more specialized strategic leadership roles.

• Broader Portfolio Management: Opportunity to manage larger or more complex product portfolios, increasing strategic scope and impact.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into related strategic or operational leadership roles in other divisions or functions within Novartis.

• Executive Development Programs: Access to executive coaching, leadership training, and development programs designed to hone strategic, operational, and leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical stepping stone for individuals aiming for senior executive positions in the pharmaceutical industry. The combination of strategic leadership, financial oversight, and cross-functional operational management provides a robust foundation for future growth, particularly in roles focused on driving commercial success and operational efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as "On-site" and will be located at either the Cambridge, MA or East Hanover, NJ site. This indicates a structured office environment designed to foster collaboration and team interaction.

Office Location(s):

• Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: A hub for biotech and pharmaceutical innovation, offering proximity to research institutions and a vibrant life sciences ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is expected to support frequent in-person collaboration with cross-functional team members, fostering real-time problem-solving and strategic alignment.

• Operations Tools & Technology: While specific tools aren't detailed, employees will have access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, including communication platforms, project management software, and potentially specialized pharmaceutical industry analytics tools.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with a dedicated cross-functional product team, participation in leadership meetings, and engagement with broader departmental and company-wide initiatives.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time schedule, approximately 40 hours per week.

• Given the executive responsibility and P&L oversight, occasional extended hours or weekend work may be necessary to meet critical deadlines, manage product launches, or address unforeseen business challenges. Travel is expected at ~20%.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and leadership presence for this senior role. The Cambridge and East Hanover locations place the individual within key pharmaceutical industry hubs in the US, offering networking and strategic advantages.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications for basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the General Manager or hiring manager to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other relevant functions to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of integrated operations.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a strategic plan, analyze a business scenario, or discuss their portfolio, demonstrating their approach to product strategy, P&L management, and cross-functional integration.

• Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: Final interviews with senior leaders to assess overall fit, strategic vision, and leadership capabilities.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or achievement, clearly articulate the metrics and quantifiable results (e.g., revenue growth, market share increase, cost savings, efficiency gains).

• Showcase Strategic Frameworks: Present the methodologies and frameworks used to develop and implement product strategies. Explain the "why" behind your approach.

• Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Detail your role in integrating efforts across departments, emphasizing problem-solving and alignment strategies.

• Demonstrate P&L Ownership: Use specific examples of budget management and trade-off decisions, explaining the rationale and the financial outcomes.

• Tailor to Novartis: Research Novartis's current pipeline, therapeutic areas, and strategic priorities to tailor your portfolio presentation and highlight relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario Analysis: Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical product scenario, identify key challenges, and propose an integrated strategy, including resource allocation and risk mitigation.

• P&L Impact Discussion: Practice articulating how your strategic decisions have impacted product P&Ls and how you would approach optimizing the P&L for the assigned product.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Prepare to discuss how you would build consensus and drive alignment among diverse functional teams with potentially competing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong blend of strategic vision and operational execution. The interview process will likely assess both leadership presence and the ability to translate strategy into tangible business results. A well-prepared portfolio that demonstrates a track record of success in P&L management and cross-functional operational integration is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Veeva CRM, Salesforce): Essential for understanding sales operations, customer engagement, and managing sales force effectiveness.

• Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, QlikView): Crucial for analyzing market data, sales performance, and financial metrics to inform strategic decisions.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Microsoft Project): For managing complex, cross-functional projects and tracking progress against strategic initiatives.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word): Standard tools for data analysis, presentation development, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Market Data Providers (e.g., IQVIA, Symphony Health): Access to and understanding of pharmaceutical market data is fundamental for strategic analysis.

• Internal Reporting Dashboards: Proficiency in using and interpreting data from internal company dashboards for performance monitoring.

• Financial Modeling Tools: For P&L analysis, forecasting, and resource allocation modeling.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot): Understanding their role in customer engagement and campaign execution.

• Sales Enablement Tools: Familiarity with platforms that support sales teams with content, training, and analytics.

• Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack): Essential for day-to-day communication and cross-functional team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools may vary, a strong candidate will demonstrate proficiency in data analysis, financial modeling, project management, and CRM systems. The ability to leverage these tools to derive insights and drive operational efficiency is paramount for success in this strategic role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: A commitment to always prioritize patient needs and outcomes in all strategic and operational decisions.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all business practices, particularly in a highly regulated industry.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, adapting quickly to market changes, and driving transformational improvements in operational processes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a spirit of partnership across functions to achieve shared goals and leverage collective expertise.

• Performance & Accountability: Driving for excellence, taking ownership of results, and being accountable for delivering on strategic objectives and financial targets.

Collaboration Style:

• Matrixed Leadership: The role requires influencing and leading without direct authority, building strong relationships across departments to ensure buy-in and coordinated execution.

• Data-Driven Consensus Building: Using data and insights to guide discussions and build consensus among stakeholders with differing perspectives.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and honest communication channels with the team and leadership, providing regular updates on progress and challenges.

• Process Improvement Culture: Encouraging a continuous improvement mindset within the team, promoting feedback loops and iterative enhancements to operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: A candidate's ability to embody Novartis's values, particularly patient-centricity and innovation, will be a key factor in cultural fit. The collaborative style needed is one of influence and partnership, essential for navigating a complex, cross-functional matrix organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Balancing the needs and expectations of diverse internal stakeholders (Marketing, Sales, Medical, Market Access, Finance, Legal) and external partners.

• Driving Change in a Large Organization: Implementing strategic shifts and operational improvements within a large, established pharmaceutical company requires strong change management skills and resilience.

• Market Dynamics & Competition: Responding effectively to evolving market trends, competitive pressures, and regulatory changes to maintain product competitiveness.

• Resource Optimization: Making difficult trade-off decisions regarding resource allocation to maximize impact while adhering to budget constraints.

• Integrating Global & Local Strategies: Ensuring seamless alignment between global product strategies and US-specific market execution requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Strategic Leadership: Opportunities to refine strategic thinking, P&L management, and executive decision-making through direct experience and mentorship.

• Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge of specific therapeutic areas, market access challenges, and regulatory environments within the pharmaceutical sector.

• Operational Excellence: Gaining hands-on experience in driving operational efficiency, process optimization, and digital transformation within a leading healthcare organization.

• Executive Coaching & Mentorship: Access to formal and informal development programs to foster leadership growth and career progression.

• Networking: Building a robust professional network within Novartis and the broader pharmaceutical industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges inherent to the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to overcome these challenges will directly contribute to skill development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed and launched an integrated product strategy. What were the key components, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on process, collaboration, and quantifiable results).

• "How do you approach P&L management for a product? Walk us through a significant trade-off decision you had to make and its impact." (Demonstrate financial acumen, strategic thinking, and decision-making under pressure).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Novartis's strategic priorities in [relevant therapeutic area] and how would your product strategy contribute?" (Showcase research and strategic alignment).

• "How do you embody our company values, such as patient-centricity and innovation, in your day-to-day work?" (Connect your experience to Novartis's core principles).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around key achievements, focusing on strategic impact, operational execution, and measurable results. Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework for case studies.

• Quantify Everything: Ensure every point has data and metrics to back it up. Focus on financial impact (P&L, revenue) and operational efficiency gains.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Be ready to walk through the specific processes, frameworks, and tools you used. Explain your thought process behind strategic decisions and trade-offs.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences most relevant to product strategy, P&L management, cross-functional leadership, and the US market.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic mindset, strong operational execution capabilities, and the ability to lead and influence in a complex organizational setting. Articulating quantifiable results and a clear understanding of product lifecycle and P&L management will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations leadership position:

• Submit your application through the Novartis careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product strategy, P&L management, cross-functional leadership, and specific therapeutic areas relevant to Novartis. Use keywords from the job description and AI-identified skills.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio showcasing 2-3 key projects or achievements that demonstrate your strategic planning, execution, P&L impact, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Be ready to present these with a focus on quantifiable results and your strategic approach.

• Research Novartis: Thoroughly research Novartis's current business, pipeline, therapeutic areas, and strategic initiatives. Understand their approach to innovation and patient access.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, focusing on the STAR method, and practice articulating your strategic vision and operational methodologies for leading product success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.