Executive Director, Product Strategy Lead Cardiovascular

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Executive Director, Product Strategy Lead Cardiovascular

Company: Novartis

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Strategy & Management (GTM Operations Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site (20% travel required)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of integrated product strategies for specific cardiovascular indications within the US market.

• Drive P&L management and optimize resource allocation across cross-functional teams to maximize product impact and accelerate business growth.

• Orchestrate and measure key performance indicators (KPIs) for integrated product strategies, ensuring alignment with overall company objectives.

• Contribute to transformative enterprise leadership and decisive strategy formulation to deliver enhanced value for patients and healthcare systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Product Strategy Lead," has significant GTM (Go-to-Market) operations implications. The focus on P&L, resource allocation, cross-functional orchestration, and KPI management places it firmly within the realm of GTM operations, requiring a deep understanding of how strategic product planning translates into actionable commercial execution. The emphasis on "business-critical transformation" suggests a need for adaptability and process innovation within the operations framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

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

• Integrate, lead, measure, and decisively act against KPIs to elevate the impact of the assigned product(s) through robust GTM strategy execution.

• Significantly contribute to the P&L of assigned product(s)/indication(s) by enabling partner functions to effectively manage day-to-day resource allocation and operational execution.

• Drive topline results through strategic choices and effective implementation of GTM plans, ensuring alignment between strategy and operational delivery.

• Facilitate integrated cross-functional resource allocation to achieve the highest possible impact, balancing strategic imperatives with operational feasibility.

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

• Partner effectively with functional heads (Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs) in trade-off decisions, ensuring strategic alignment and operational efficiency.

• Collaborate with other General Managers and Product Strategy team members for enterprise-wide decisions, including potential strategic trade-offs between different products or indications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational leadership component, focusing on the how of strategy execution. This includes managing budgets (P&L), allocating resources, defining and tracking KPIs, and making trade-off decisions – all core GTM operations functions. The emphasis on "decisive action" and "orchestration" points to a need for strong operational governance and execution capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA preferred.

Experience:

• Required:

  • 10+ years in the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or healthcare consulting industry, including experience in at least two different types of cross-functional roles.
  • 3+ years of direct responsibility for large budget management, including ownership of key product trade-off decisions.
  • 3+ years of experience leading and translating an integrated product strategy that requires global and local alignment.
  • Experience with the US Market, launch phases, and various product lifecycle stages, OR equivalent General Manager experience in other countries.

• Preferred:

  • Therapeutic Area experience (specifically Cardiovascular).

  • US market experience is strongly preferred.

  • Global or other country/region experience (through projects or full-time/temporary roles of 6 months or more). Required Skills:

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

• P&L Management: Demonstrated experience in managing large budgets and understanding financial implications of strategic decisions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to lead and influence diverse teams across Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other functions.

• KPI Management & Performance Measurement: Skill in establishing, tracking, and acting upon key performance indicators to drive GTM success.

• Resource Allocation & Optimization: Expertise in allocating financial and human resources effectively to maximize impact.

• US Market Expertise: Deep understanding of the US pharmaceutical market dynamics, regulatory landscape, and commercial pathways.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build strong relationships and manage expectations with internal and external stakeholders.

• Decision Making: Capacity for making decisive, trade-off decisions that align with strategic objectives and financial targets.

Preferred Skills:

• Therapeutic Area Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the cardiovascular therapeutic area.

• Launch Excellence: Experience in successfully launching pharmaceutical products in the US.

• Business Transformation: Experience leading or contributing to significant business process or strategic transformations.

• Global Market Acumen: Understanding of international pharmaceutical markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, indicating a senior-level role. The emphasis on "2 different types of cross-functional roles" and "large budget management inclusive of owning key product trade-off decisions" directly points to a need for operational acumen beyond pure strategy. The "US Market, launch and product lifecycle stages experience" is crucial for understanding the operational nuances of bringing products to market and managing their lifecycle.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Frameworks: Showcase examples of developed and implemented integrated product strategies, detailing the strategic rationale, target audience segmentation, and key initiatives.

• P&L Management Case Studies: Present evidence of managing significant budgets, including examples of resource allocation decisions, trade-offs made, and the resulting financial impact (e.g., revenue growth, ROI).

• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Provide case studies demonstrating successful collaboration and alignment across diverse functions (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Medical Affairs, Market Access) to achieve unified GTM objectives.

• KPI Development & Performance Tracking: Illustrate the process of defining relevant KPIs, implementing tracking mechanisms, analyzing performance data, and taking corrective actions to drive GTM success.

• Market Launch & Lifecycle Management: Include examples of product launch plans or strategies for products at different lifecycle stages, detailing market entry, growth, and maturity phase operations.

Process Documentation:

• Integrated Strategy Design: Document the process for developing integrated product strategies, including market analysis, competitive assessment, target product profile definition, and cross-functional input gathering.

• Resource Planning & Allocation Workflows: Outline methodologies for forecasting resource needs, developing budget proposals, and executing resource allocation across various GTM activities and teams.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting Cadence: Detail the established processes for regular performance reviews, KPI reporting, and feedback loops to ensure continuous optimization of GTM strategies and tactics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority and strategic scope, a robust portfolio demonstrating tangible results in strategy execution, financial oversight, and cross-functional leadership is critical. The emphasis should be on how strategic plans were operationalized to achieve measurable business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $236,600.00 - $439,400.00 per year.

Benefits:

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

• Annual Equity Awards: Potential eligibility for stock-based compensation, depending on role level.

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Includes health insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company contribution and match.

• Generous Time Off: Package includes vacation days, personal days, and holidays.

• Other Benefits: A variety of additional benefits are available, as detailed in the Novartis Life Handbook.

Working Hours: Full-time (typically 40 hours per week), with expectations for flexibility and responsiveness given the strategic nature of the role and potential for business-critical transformations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for an Executive Director level role in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in a major hub like New Jersey. The inclusion of performance-based incentives and equity awards is standard for senior leadership positions and reflects the company's focus on driving results. The provided range is based on the explicit statement in the job description and industry benchmarks for similar roles in the US pharmaceutical sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology. Novartis is a global leader focused on pioneering medicine to improve and extend people's lives. The company operates within a highly regulated, competitive, and innovation-driven sector.

Company Size: Large (Novartis is a multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally). This size implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact and career advancement.

Founded: Novartis was formed in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, with roots tracing back much further. This long history signifies stability and deep expertise within the pharmaceutical landscape.

Team Structure:

• Integrated Product Strategy Organization: This role is a key member, reporting to a General Manager for the Product or Portfolio. The team is cross-functional, comprising leaders from Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Patient Support, and Insights & Decision Science.

• Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to a General Manager, with significant collaboration and influence over functional leads responsible for day-to-day operations within their respective domains.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Highly matrixed and collaborative environment. Success hinges on the ability to influence without direct authority and align diverse functional strategies and operational plans towards a common product goal.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong emphasis on utilizing market insights, performance data, and analytics to inform strategic choices and operational adjustments.

• Integrated Planning: A structured approach to developing comprehensive, multi-year product strategies that align all commercial functions.

• Agile Execution: The mention of "business-critical transformation" and "agility" suggests a move towards more responsive and adaptive operational models within the GTM framework.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: As a large, established pharmaceutical company, Novartis likely has a culture that values scientific rigor, compliance, and long-term strategic vision. The "Executive Director, Product Strategy Lead" role suggests a blend of strategic oversight and operational leadership, requiring an individual who can navigate complex organizational structures and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders. The focus on "transformational enterprise leadership" indicates an environment that is also embracing change and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an Executive Director (Band Level 7) role, representing a senior leadership position within the organization. It signifies significant responsibility for strategic planning, P&L management, and cross-functional team leadership, with a direct impact on commercial outcomes.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to a General Manager for the Product or Portfolio. This structure provides direct access to senior leadership and a clear line of sight into overarching business objectives. The role involves significant influence over functional leads who manage operational execution within their departments.

Operations Impact: This role has a profound impact on the commercial success of specific cardiovascular products. By shaping and executing integrated product strategies, the Executive Director directly influences revenue generation, market share, and ultimately, the company's ability to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. The P&L responsibility underscores the direct financial accountability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to higher General Management roles, Portfolio Leadership, or other senior executive positions within Novartis.

• Strategic Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in product strategy, market access, and therapeutic area management, potentially leading to broader strategic roles within the company.

• Organizational Transformation: Involvement in leading critical business transformations offers valuable experience in change management and process innovation, highly sought-after skills for senior operations leaders.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Exposure to a wide array of functions allows for the development of a holistic understanding of the pharmaceutical business, enhancing career versatility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Executive Director" title and Band Level 7 denote a significant leadership tier. The role is positioned to influence enterprise-level decisions and contribute to major business transformations, offering substantial career development potential for ambitious operations leaders. The emphasis on P&L and cross-functional orchestration suggests a pathway towards P&L ownership or broader commercial leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based at the East Hanover, NJ site and is not eligible for remote work. This indicates an on-site, in-office environment.

Office Location(s): East Hanover, New Jersey, United States. This is a major pharmaceutical hub, offering access to a robust industry network and talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires extensive interaction with various cross-functional teams, suggesting a workspace designed to foster collaboration, potentially including open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and shared project spaces.

• Operations Tools & Technology: While not explicitly detailed, a role of this nature at Novartis would likely have access to sophisticated CRM systems, business intelligence platforms, project management software, and advanced data analytics tools to support strategy development and execution.

• Team Interaction: Frequent engagement with colleagues across Marketing, Sales, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and other departments is expected, facilitating knowledge sharing and coordinated GTM efforts.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. While a standard work week is implied (likely 40 hours), the strategic and transformative nature of the role suggests that flexibility and dedication beyond standard hours may be required to meet critical project deadlines and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at the East Hanover campus suggests a traditional corporate pharmaceutical setting. The emphasis on collaboration and cross-functional engagement means the physical workspace likely supports these interactions, crucial for coordinating complex GTM operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely conduct an initial review of applications and conduct a preliminary screening call to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive into your experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and operational acumen. Expect questions related to P&L management, cross-functional leadership, and product strategy execution.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: You will likely meet with key stakeholders from Marketing, Sales, Medical Affairs, and Market Access. These interviews will assess your ability to collaborate, influence, and understand their functional perspectives and operational challenges.

• Case Study/Presentation: Be prepared for a strategic case study or a presentation based on your portfolio. This will likely involve analyzing a product scenario, developing a strategic recommendation, and outlining an execution plan, demonstrating your understanding of GTM operations, P&L impact, and cross-functional alignment.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (potentially the General Manager or a higher-level leader) to assess strategic fit, leadership potential, and overall alignment with Novartis's culture and business objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Showcase projects where your strategic input and operational oversight led to measurable business results (e.g., revenue growth, market share increase, successful product launch, optimized resource allocation). Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Demonstrate P&L Ownership: Include examples where you were directly responsible for budget management, made critical trade-off decisions, and can articulate the financial outcomes.

• Illustrate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight instances where you successfully aligned diverse teams towards a common GTM goal. Detail your approach to stakeholder management and influencing without direct authority.

• Showcase Strategic-to-Operational Translation: Clearly articulate how you translated high-level strategies into actionable GTM plans and operational initiatives.

• Tailor to Cardiovascular: If possible, include examples relevant to the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector, and ideally, cardiovascular indications.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Case Study: Practice developing integrated product strategies, considering market dynamics, competitive landscape, P&L implications, and resource allocation. Be ready to present a clear, concise, and data-supported recommendation.

• Operational Execution Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would operationalize a given strategy, manage cross-functional teams, track KPIs, and navigate potential challenges or trade-offs.

• Leadership & Influence: Anticipate questions about your leadership style, how you motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and influence senior stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for an Executive Director role will be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, operational execution capabilities, and leadership effectiveness. A well-curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates quantifiable results and a strong understanding of GTM operations will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Experience with enterprise-level CRM platforms (e.g., Veeva CRM, Salesforce) for sales force automation, customer data management, and territory planning is highly probable.

• Business Intelligence & Analytics Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for data visualization, dashboard creation, and performance reporting.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Monday.com, or Jira for managing complex GTM initiatives and cross-functional projects.

• Collaboration Suites: Expertise in Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) or Google Workspace for seamless communication and document sharing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Warehousing & ETL Tools: Understanding of how data is integrated and managed, potentially involving tools like Snowflake, Teradata, or Informatica.

• Market Data & Analytics Providers: Familiarity with industry-specific data sources and analytics platforms (e.g., IQVIA, Symphony Health) for market insights and competitive intelligence.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Experience with platforms like Marketo, HubSpot, or Pardot for executing targeted marketing campaigns and lead nurturing.

• Sales Enablement Tools: Familiarity with platforms that provide sales teams with content, training, and analytics (e.g., Seismic, Highspot).

• Integration Platforms: Understanding of how different systems connect, potentially involving APIs or middleware solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a role of this caliber at a major pharmaceutical company will undoubtedly involve a sophisticated technology stack. The emphasis will be on leveraging these tools to drive strategy execution, operational efficiency, and data-informed decision-making within the GTM framework.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient Centricity: A core value driving all decisions, ensuring that strategies and operations ultimately benefit patients.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and compliance in all business activities.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and approaches to drive transformational change and adapt to evolving market dynamics.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a spirit of partnership and mutual support across functions to achieve shared goals.

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

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach is essential, requiring proactive engagement with leaders and teams across Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other support functions.

• Process Review & Optimization: A culture that encourages continuous evaluation and improvement of GTM processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Openness to sharing best practices, insights, and lessons learned across teams and projects to foster collective growth and operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis's stated values emphasize patient focus, integrity, innovation, and collaboration. For