Director, Product Strategy (2 Positions)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy (2 Positions)

Company: Novartis

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy / CRM Operations

Date Posted: March 24, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the strategic direction and long-term vision for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) capabilities within the US commercial organization, aligning with enterprise-wide Customer 360 transformation goals.

• Define and maintain a comprehensive platform roadmap for CRM technologies, ensuring integration of emerging technologies like AI and agentic solutions to enhance capabilities.

• Lead strategic discovery initiatives, design-thinking workshops, and proof-of-concept projects to validate future-state CRM capabilities and drive innovation.

• Establish and manage a robust CRM product vision governance model to ensure consistency, alignment, and transparency across all CRM initiatives.

• Serve as a thought leader and key communicator, evangelizing the CRM vision and its strategic importance to senior stakeholders across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for transforming Novartis's commercial operations through advanced CRM strategy. The emphasis on "Product Vision" and "Platform Roadmap" for two distinct positions suggests a need for deep strategic thinking and detailed execution planning within the CRM domain, particularly concerning AI and agentic solutions. This is a senior-level role requiring significant influence and strategic foresight.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and champion a compelling, forward-looking CRM vision that is intrinsically linked to the US enterprise strategy and overarching Customer 360 transformation objectives.

• Identify and articulate mid- to long-term opportunities for significant innovation across diverse technology stacks, including but not limited to Salesforce, Veeva, and Microsoft Dynamics.

• Design, develop, and meticulously maintain a strategic platform roadmap that directly supports the overall CRM product vision and aligns with Novartis's core business objectives.

• Proactively lead strategic discovery initiatives, facilitate design-thinking workshops, and execute proofs of concept (POCs) to rigorously validate future-state capabilities and emerging technologies.

• Evaluate the feasibility, value proposition, and strategic alignment of emerging CRM technologies and AI/ML applications within the Life Sciences context.

• Establish and manage a comprehensive CRM product vision governance framework to ensure consistent application, strategic alignment, and transparency across all CRM-related projects and initiatives.

• Act as a primary evangelist for the CRM vision across the entire organization, cultivating a deep enterprise-wide understanding of current and future CRM capabilities.

• Drive the identification and adoption of scalable, modular platform components designed to support a wide spectrum of customer journeys and intricate business processes.

• Define, monitor, and report on key success metrics for platform initiatives, focusing on adoption rates, demonstrable business impact, and strategic value delivery.

• Continuously assess the health and performance of the CRM platform, leveraging data-driven insights to make informed decisions for ongoing optimization and enhancement.

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team dedicated to platform strategy and execution, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: strategic vision for the CRM future state and practical roadmap execution, including the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and agentic solutions. The emphasis on governance, stakeholder influence, and cross-functional leadership points to a role that requires strong operational acumen and the ability to drive change within a complex pharmaceutical organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in product strategy, management consulting, innovation management, product management, or enterprise technology leadership roles.

Required Skills:

• Deep and comprehensive knowledge of CRM technologies, with specific expertise in Salesforce and Veeva, and a strong understanding of Microsoft Dynamics.

• Proven experience leading strategic discovery initiatives, design-thinking workshops, and proofs of concept (POCs) for new technological capabilities.

• A robust track record of effectively influencing senior stakeholders to gain alignment and secure funding for long-term technology or product strategies.

• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including critical regulatory requirements, evolving market dynamics, and the intricacies of the US commercial landscape.

• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, adept at engaging both executive leadership and technical audiences.

• Proven experience in matrix leadership, successfully navigating and driving initiatives within complex life science environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI/ML applications specifically within commercial operations in the Life Sciences sector.

• Familiarity with agentic solutions and their potential application in enhancing CRM capabilities.

• Experience in building and leading high-performing product strategy teams.

• Strong analytical skills for performance measurement and optimization of platform initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize strategic thinking, deep CRM technology knowledge (Salesforce, Veeva), and strong stakeholder management within the pharmaceutical context. The preference for advanced degrees and specific experience in innovation and transformation underscores the seniority and strategic nature of this role. Experience with AI and agentic solutions is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Vision Case Studies: Showcase examples of developing and articulating long-term product or technology visions, demonstrating the ability to inspire alignment and drive organizational transformation.

• Platform Roadmap Development: Present documentation or examples of strategic platform roadmaps, highlighting how they align with overarching business objectives, integrate emerging technologies, and address evolving needs.

• Discovery & Innovation Projects: Include case studies of leading discovery initiatives, design-thinking workshops, or proofs of concept (POCs) that validated future-state capabilities and evaluated emerging technologies.

• Governance Frameworks: Provide examples or descriptions of governance models established for product vision or technology platforms, emphasizing consistency, alignment, and transparency.

Process Documentation:

• Visionary Strategy Articulation: Demonstrate the ability to clearly articulate a compelling, forward-looking vision and strategy, supported by data and market insights relevant to the Life Sciences sector.

• Roadmap Planning & Execution: Showcase a structured approach to developing and maintaining platform roadmaps, including methodologies for prioritization, risk assessment, and stakeholder buy-in.

• Innovation Lifecycle Management: Document a process for evaluating, piloting, and scaling new technologies and capabilities, with a focus on feasibility, value, and business alignment.

• Performance Metrics & Optimization: Present frameworks for defining, tracking, and optimizing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to CRM platform adoption, business impact, and strategic value delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic planning, vision setting, and the successful evaluation and integration of new technologies. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to translate high-level strategy into actionable roadmaps and measurable outcomes, particularly concerning CRM and AI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated annual salary range for this position is $185,500 to $344,500 USD.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is provided by Novartis and reflects the senior level of the Director, Product Strategy role, considering the required experience, strategic responsibilities, and location in East Hanover, NJ. The broad range allows for significant differentiation based on candidate experience, skills, and the specific focus of the two available positions (Product Vision vs. Platform Roadmap).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, life, and disability insurance benefits.

• A 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions and matching.

• A generous time off package, including vacation days, personal days, and holidays.

• Eligibility for various other benefits and leaves as per company policy.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate project needs and strategic discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is standard for a large pharmaceutical company, offering robust support for employee well-being and financial security. The inclusion of performance-based cash incentives and potential equity awards is typical for senior-level strategic roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology. Novartis is a global healthcare leader focused on transforming medicine to improve and extend people's lives. The company operates at the forefront of medical innovation, leveraging advanced science and technology to address unmet medical needs.

Company Size: Novartis is a large, multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This scale implies a complex organizational structure, extensive resources, and a global reach, offering opportunities for significant impact and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Novartis was formed in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, building on a rich heritage of pharmaceutical innovation dating back to the 19th century. This long history signifies stability, deep industry expertise, and a commitment to long-term research and development.

Team Structure:

• The Insights and Decision Science (IDS) team is a key function within Novartis, dedicated to enhancing decision-making through superior data analysis and actionable insights.

• The US CRM organization, within IDS, is pivotal in driving the transformation towards a Customer 360 operating model.

• This role reports to the Executive Director, CRM Product Strategy, and collaborates closely with the VP, Head of CRM, Strategy & Product Management, indicating a hierarchical structure with clear lines of reporting and strategic oversight.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The IDS team emphasizes leveraging superior data to identify actionable insights that enhance business performance and decision-making.

• Customer 360 Approach: The CRM organization is focused on creating a unified view of the customer, integrating data from various touchpoints to improve engagement and service.

• Innovation and Transformation: The company actively seeks to transform medicine through advanced technology and data, indicating a culture that embraces innovation and change.

• Strategic Alignment: Emphasis is placed on ensuring CRM strategies align with broader commercial strategies, customer experience goals, and enterprise transformation priorities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis's culture is likely characterized by a strong scientific foundation, a commitment to patient outcomes, and an increasing focus on digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. The role operates within a sophisticated operational framework designed to leverage technology for competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is at a Director level, signifying a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility. It requires a combination of deep technical understanding (CRM, AI), strategic foresight, and the ability to influence and lead across complex organizational structures. The role is instrumental in shaping the future of commercial operations through technology.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Executive Director, CRM Product Strategy, and works closely with the VP, Head of CRM, Strategy & Product Management. This indicates a clear reporting line within the CRM and Insights & Decision Science (IDS) functions, with direct access to senior leadership responsible for strategic direction and product management.

Operations Impact: This role has a profound impact on Novartis's commercial effectiveness by architecting the future state of CRM. By defining strategies and roadmaps, the Director will influence how Novartis engages with its customers, leverages data for insights, and drives operational efficiency. Success in this role directly contributes to enhanced customer experiences, improved sales performance, and the successful execution of enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to lead significant strategic initiatives and define the future direction of CRM and customer engagement technologies at a global scale.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge technologies like AI, agentic solutions, and advanced CRM platforms within the Life Sciences industry.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop strong relationships and influence across various business units, IT, and commercial teams, expanding professional network and understanding of organizational dynamics.

• Leadership Development: Potential to progress into higher leadership roles within CRM, IDS, or broader commercial strategy functions, potentially managing larger teams or broader portfolios.

• Industry Thought Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized expert and thought leader in CRM, AI, and digital transformation within the pharmaceutical sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Director level offers substantial career growth potential, moving beyond tactical execution to strategic leadership and organizational influence. The dual focus on vision and roadmap, coupled with the emphasis on emerging technologies, provides a fertile ground for developing specialized expertise and advancing into executive positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as "On-site" and requires the employee to work from the East Hanover, NJ location. The role is described as "#LI – Hybrid" in the original description, which may indicate that while the primary location is on-site, there could be some flexibility or specific hybrid arrangements in place, or it could be a legacy tag. However, the explicit statement "will not have the ability to be located remotely" and the requirement for 15% travel suggest a strong preference for in-office presence for collaboration and strategic alignment.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is East Hanover, New Jersey. This site likely offers modern office facilities, collaborative workspaces, and access to necessary technological infrastructure to support the role's demands.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: As an on-site role, the workspace will foster direct collaboration with colleagues within the CRM team, IDS, and other cross-functional departments. This facilitates real-time problem-solving and idea generation.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to Novartis's robust IT infrastructure, including necessary hardware, software, and network capabilities to support CRM operations, data analysis, and strategic planning.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature encourages frequent interaction with team members, fostering a sense of camaraderie, facilitating knowledge sharing, and supporting the development of strong working relationships essential for matrix leadership.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While on-site, the nature of strategic work may require flexibility to accommodate project deadlines, stakeholder meetings, and international collaboration across different time zones, though the primary work location is US-based.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at East Hanover, NJ, suggests a traditional corporate environment within a large pharmaceutical campus. The "#LI – Hybrid" tag is potentially confusing given the explicit "on-site" nature, but the emphasis on in-office presence for collaboration and strategy development is clear. The 15% travel indicates a need for adaptability and comfort with business travel.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume to assess alignment with the essential requirements and preferred qualifications, with a focus on strategic experience, CRM knowledge, and industry background.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (Executive Director, CRM Product Strategy or VP, Head of CRM) to delve into your experience with product vision, platform roadmapping, and strategic leadership. Expect questions about your approach to innovation and stakeholder influence.

• Panel Interviews: Multiple interviews with key stakeholders, likely including peers from CRM, IDS, commercial operations, and potentially IT leadership. These sessions will assess your cross-functional collaboration skills, ability to articulate complex strategies, and fit with Novartis's culture.

• Case Study / Presentation: A potential exercise involving a strategic challenge related to CRM, AI, or platform development. You may be asked to present your findings, recommendations, and proposed roadmap to a panel, demonstrating your problem-solving and communication abilities.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with a more senior executive, to confirm alignment on strategic direction and assess overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Vision Case Studies: Clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the envisioned solution, and the resulting impact (quantified where possible). Highlight your role in shaping the vision and gaining buy-in.

• Platform Roadmap Examples: Present a structured roadmap, explaining the rationale behind key initiatives, prioritization criteria, and how it aligns with broader business goals. Showcase your ability to consider emerging technologies and scalability.

• Innovation & POC Summaries: Detail the discovery process, the technologies evaluated, the methodology for POCs, and the key learnings or recommendations derived. Emphasize how these informed strategic decisions.

• Governance & Alignment Documentation: Provide examples of how you've established or contributed to governance structures, ensuring transparency and buy-in across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Storytelling with Data: Weave a narrative that connects your strategic thinking and execution to tangible business outcomes, using data and metrics to support your claims. Focus on impact related to customer experience, operational efficiency, or strategic transformation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Problem Solving: Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical or real-world CRM-related business challenge. Focus on your structured approach to problem definition, solution ideation, strategic alignment, and implementation considerations.

• Technology Evaluation: Understand how to evaluate emerging technologies (AI, agentic solutions) for their strategic value, feasibility, and potential impact on commercial operations in the Life Sciences context.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating your strategy and recommendations to different audiences (e.g., technical teams, commercial leaders, executives), demonstrating your ability to influence and gain consensus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and technical acumen. A strong portfolio showcasing strategic vision, roadmap development, and innovation initiatives will be critical. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thought process and demonstrate how they drive transformation through technology.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Platforms: Deep expertise in enterprise-grade CRM systems is essential, specifically:

  • Salesforce: Proficiency in its core functionalities, customization capabilities, and ecosystem (e.g., Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud) is highly valued.
  • Veeva: Understanding of Veeva CRM and its specific applications within the pharmaceutical industry is a key requirement.
  • Microsoft Dynamics: Familiarity with Microsoft's CRM offerings is also noted.

• AI & Agentic Solutions: Understanding of how Artificial Intelligence and agentic (AI-driven) solutions can be leveraged to enhance CRM capabilities, automate processes, and improve decision-making.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with tools used for data analysis, performance measurement, and reporting (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, QlikView) for tracking CRM adoption, business impact, and strategic value.

• Data Warehousing & ETL: Familiarity with data warehousing concepts and Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes that underpin robust CRM data management and analytics.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce Ecosystem: Knowledge of related Salesforce products or integrations that extend CRM functionality.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools or platforms used for automating business processes within the CRM context.

• Integration Platforms: Understanding of how CRM systems integrate with other enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, marketing automation, data lakes) to create a unified Customer 360 view.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Salesforce and Veeva is paramount, given their explicit mention. The role also demands a forward-thinking understanding of AI and agentic solutions and their application in commercial operations. Familiarity with data analytics and integration tools is crucial for driving data-informed strategies and ensuring seamless system operation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement new technologies and methodologies, particularly in CRM and AI, to transform operations and improve customer engagement.

• Customer Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, leveraging data to create exceptional customer experiences and drive business value.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong reliance on data and analytics to inform strategy, measure performance, and optimize operations for maximum impact.

• Collaboration: A proactive approach to working across diverse teams and functions, fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment on strategic goals.

• Accountability & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality results, taking ownership of initiatives, and continuously striving for improvement in all aspects of operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: This role requires extensive collaboration with commercial teams, marketing, sales, IT, data science, and potentially regulatory affairs to ensure CRM strategies are aligned and effectively implemented across the organization.

• Strategic Partnership: The role acts as a strategic partner to business leaders, translating business needs into technology roadmaps and influencing decision-making through compelling insights and recommendations.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages the sharing of best practices, learnings from innovation initiatives, and insights from data analysis to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis likely fosters a culture that values scientific rigor, patient focus, and innovation. For this role, expect an emphasis on data-driven strategies, collaborative problem-solving, and a forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology for commercial advantage. The ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Technologies: Integrating and strategically leveraging diverse CRM platforms (Salesforce, Veeva, Microsoft) alongside emerging AI and agentic solutions requires deep technical understanding and careful planning.

• Driving Organizational Alignment: Gaining consensus and influencing stakeholders across various departments for long-term strategic initiatives in a large, established organization can be challenging.

• Pace of Technological Change: Keeping abreast of rapid advancements in AI, agentic solutions, and CRM capabilities and determining their strategic relevance and feasibility for Novartis.

• Balancing Vision and Execution: Ensuring that the compelling long-term vision translates into an actionable, realistic, and impactful platform roadmap that can be effectively executed.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and measuring the business impact and return on investment (ROI) of CRM strategy and technology investments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced CRM & AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in leading CRM platforms and cutting-edge AI/agentic solutions, becoming a subject matter expert within the Life Sciences industry.

• Strategic Leadership Development: Hone skills in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and influencing at the executive level through direct experience and mentorship.

• Industry Exposure: Gain in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical commercial strategies, market dynamics, and regulatory landscapes, enhancing understanding of the broader business context.

• Cross-Functional Network: Build a robust professional network across various business units and functional areas within Novartis, opening doors for future opportunities.

• Innovation Leadership: Lead initiatives that drive innovation and digital transformation, contributing to Novartis's mission of transforming medicine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior strategic roles involving technology transformation in large enterprises. They offer significant opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and leadership advancement, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of CRM and AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a long-term product or technology vision. How did you ensure it aligned with overall business strategy and gain stakeholder buy-in?" (Focus on your strategic thinking, alignment process, and influence skills).

• "How would you approach developing a platform roadmap for CRM technologies, considering emerging AI and agentic solutions, to support a Customer 360 initiative?" (Illustrate your roadmap methodology, prioritization criteria, and understanding of technology integration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding, how do you see AI and agentic solutions transforming customer engagement in the pharmaceutical industry, and how might Novartis leverage these?" (Showcase your industry knowledge and forward-thinking perspective).

• "Describe your experience working in a matrixed organization. How do you build relationships and drive alignment across different teams and functions?" (Demonstrate your collaboration and influencing capabilities).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the business challenge, your strategic approach, the specific actions taken, the technologies involved, and the measurable outcomes. Use a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework.

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Emphasize how your work contributed to broader business objectives, drove transformation, or created significant value (e.g., improved customer engagement, increased efficiency, enhanced decision-making).

• Showcase Technical Acumen: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of the CRM platforms (Salesforce, Veeva) and AI/agentic solutions you've worked with, demonstrating a solid understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to support your achievements. This could include adoption rates, efficiency gains, revenue impact, or improvements in customer satisfaction.

• Tailor to Novartis: Research Novartis's current strategic initiatives, particularly around digital transformation and customer engagement, and tailor your examples to demonstrate relevance and understanding of their business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, a deep understanding of CRM and emerging technologies, and the ability to influence and drive change within a large, complex organization like Novartis. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase practical application of strategic thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experience in product strategy, CRM technologies (Salesforce, Veeva), AI/agentic solutions, and pharmaceutical commercial operations. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize achievements related to vision setting, roadmap development, and driving transformation.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful projects that best showcase your strategic thinking, product vision, roadmap creation, and innovation leadership. Prepare a concise presentation or summary document for each, focusing on challenges, your approach, and quantifiable results.

• Prepare for Strategic Questions: Rehearse answers to potential strategy, leadership, and problem-solving questions, drawing on your experience and tailoring your responses to Novartis's context.

• Research Novartis: Deeply understand Novartis's mission, current strategic priorities (especially in digital transformation and customer engagement), and its position within the pharmaceutical industry to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.