Director, Product Strategy Lead, ASCVD

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy Lead, ASCVD

Company: Novartis

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Strategy / GTM Operations

Date Posted: April 09, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development, implementation, and measurement of integrated product strategies for a key product within the Cardiovascular (CV) therapeutic area in the US market.

• Drive decisive strategic decision-making to maximize product impact, including significant contribution to P&L management and cross-functional resource allocation.

• Orchestrate collaboration across multiple functions (Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical, Insights & Data Science, Novartis Patient Support) to ensure cohesive strategy execution and alignment.

• Champion business-critical transformations and agile methodologies to accelerate product performance and patient/customer impact within the dynamic US Pharma landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within Novartis, focusing on strategic product management and GTM execution for a critical therapeutic area. It requires a blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, and strong cross-functional leadership to drive commercial success and patient outcomes. The emphasis on "business-critical transformation" and "agility" suggests a need for adaptability and innovation in a competitive market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define critical, specific, and measurable integrated priorities and key impact measures for the assigned product/indication in close consultation with the cross-functional product strategy team, under the final leadership of the General Manager.

• Integrate, lead, and orchestrate the execution of the comprehensive product strategy, continuously monitoring and taking decisive action against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to elevate product impact.

• Contribute significantly to the overall Profit & Loss (P&L) of the assigned product/indication, enabling partner functions to effectively manage their day-to-day resource allocation while ensuring strategic alignment.

• Drive revenue growth and achieve topline results through astute strategic choices and effective execution of the integrated product plan.

• Facilitate and lead integrated cross-functional resource allocation decisions to ensure maximum impact and return on investment for the product.

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

• Act as a key partner to functional heads, proactively engaging in trade-off discussions and decision-making to optimize strategic execution and resource utilization.

• Collaborate effectively with other General Managers and Product Strategy team members to contribute to enterprise-level decisions, including potential strategic trade-offs between different products or indications within the portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on strategic planning, execution oversight, financial management (P&L, budget), and cross-functional alignment. The role demands a leader who can not only define strategy but also drive its implementation and measure its success through rigorous KPI management. The emphasis on "decisive action" and "trade-off decisions" points to a high-stakes environment requiring strong leadership and analytical capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (required)

Experience:

• 8+ years in the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or healthcare consulting industry.

• Experience must include at least two different types of cross-functional roles.

• 2+ years of direct responsibility for large budget management, including ownership of key product trade-off decisions.

• 2+ years of experience leading and translating an integrated product strategy requiring global and local alignment.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Product Planning & Execution: Ability to define, articulate, and drive integrated product strategies, translating vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

• P&L and Budget Management: Demonstrated experience managing significant product P&L and budgets, including making critical resource allocation and trade-off decisions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to lead and influence diverse, cross-functional teams without direct authority, fostering alignment and driving collective success.

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

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional ability to engage, influence, and build strong relationships with senior leaders, functional heads, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Therapeutic Area Expertise: Specific experience within the Cardiovascular (CV) therapeutic area is highly desirable.

• Market Access & Finance Acumen: Prior experience or strong understanding of Market Access strategies and financial modeling/analysis.

• Consulting Experience: Background in healthcare consulting, bringing analytical rigor and strategic problem-solving capabilities.

• Global/Regional Experience: Exposure to international markets, either through project work or full-time roles, to inform global/local strategic alignment.

• Commercial Excellence & Digital Marketing: Familiarity with advanced commercial strategies and digital engagement tactics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strategic, financial, and leadership skills, with a strong preference for candidates with direct US market experience and deep pharmaceutical industry knowledge. The requirement for "at least 2 different types of cross-functional roles" suggests a need for broad operational understanding across different business units.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Framework Examples: Showcase examples of strategic frameworks or models developed and implemented for product launches or lifecycle management, demonstrating a structured approach to market entry and growth.

• P&L Impact Case Studies: Present case studies detailing specific instances where your strategic decisions and resource allocation directly influenced P&L outcomes, highlighting quantifiable results and ROI.

• Cross-Functional Alignment Plans: Include examples of integrated strategic plans that successfully aligned diverse functional groups (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Medical, Market Access), demonstrating collaboration and shared objectives.

• KPI Development & Measurement: Provide examples of how you have defined, tracked, and reported on critical KPIs for product performance, including dashboards or reporting mechanisms used to drive action.

Process Documentation:

• Integrated Strategy Development: Document the process used to develop integrated product strategies, from market analysis and insight generation to objective setting and tactical planning.

• Resource Allocation & Trade-off Analysis: Detail the methodology for evaluating and prioritizing resource allocation requests across functions, including frameworks for making difficult trade-off decisions.

• Performance Monitoring & Adjustment: Outline the process for continuously monitoring product performance against KPIs, including mechanisms for identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions or strategic adjustments.

• Cross-functional Governance: Illustrate the governance structure and meeting cadence established to ensure ongoing alignment and decision-making across the cross-functional product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a robust portfolio showcasing strategic thinking, financial management, and cross-functional execution is critical. Candidates should be prepared to present detailed case studies that not only describe the strategy but also quantify its impact on business objectives and patient outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $185,500.00 - $344,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health, Life, and Disability Benefits: Comprehensive insurance coverage to support employee well-being.

• 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan with company contribution and matching to enhance long-term financial security.

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

• Annual Equity Awards: Eligibility for equity grants, providing potential for long-term wealth creation and alignment with company success (depending on role level).

• Generous Time Off Package: Includes vacation days, personal days, holidays, and other approved leaves to promote work-life balance.

• Additional Benefits: Access to a variety of other benefits as detailed in the Novartis Life Handbook.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours, with expectations for flexibility and dedication commensurate with a Director-level role, particularly during critical project phases or product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is substantial, reflecting the senior leadership and strategic importance of this role. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical of large pharmaceutical companies, with a strong emphasis on financial security (401k, incentives, equity) and work-life balance. The estimated working hours are standard, but operational leadership roles often require flexibility beyond typical hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Novartis is a global leader with tens of thousands of employees worldwide).

Founded: 1996 (formed from the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz), with a rich history dating back centuries through its predecessor companies.

Team Structure:

• This role sits within the Integrated Product Strategy Organization, likely reporting to a General Manager or a senior commercial leader.

• The role requires close partnership with various functional heads (Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Insights & Data Science, Patient Support) who may lead their own specialized teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on leveraging insights from data science and market analytics to inform strategic choices and measure impact.

• Agile & Transformational Approach: A stated focus on agility, speed, and business-critical transformations to enhance patient and customer impact.

• Cross-Functional Integration: A core methodology involves orchestrating and integrating strategies and resources across diverse functions.

• Patient-Centricity: A foundational principle likely guiding all strategic decisions to ensure maximum benefit for patients.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis is a globally recognized pharmaceutical giant with a strong reputation for innovation and a significant presence in key therapeutic areas like cardiovascular disease. The company culture likely values scientific rigor, collaboration, and a drive for commercial success while maintaining a strong ethical framework. The size of the organization offers extensive resources and opportunities but also necessitates strong navigation skills within a complex structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director, Product Strategy Lead (Level 6) - This signifies a senior leadership position responsible for a significant product or portfolio within the US market, with substantial strategic and financial accountability. It's a critical role in driving commercial success and patient impact.

Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Integrated Product Strategy Organization, likely to a General Manager or a senior commercial executive. This position is a key member of the GM team, contributing to broader enterprise leadership decisions.

Operations Impact: This role has direct and substantial influence on the commercial success of a high-value product. The impact is measured through topline revenue, P&L performance, market share, competitive positioning, and ultimately, the acceleration of patient access to critical therapies. The strategic direction set by this role shapes how the product is brought to market, positioned, and supported, affecting patient outcomes and Novartis's market leadership.

Growth Opportunities:

• P&L Ownership Expansion: Potential to move into a General Manager role for a larger product or portfolio, taking on broader P&L and strategic responsibility.

• Therapeutic Area Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized leader within the CV therapeutic area or transition to lead strategy for other major therapeutic areas.

• Global Strategy Roles: Potential to leverage US market experience for global product strategy leadership positions.

• Executive Leadership Development: Participation in executive development programs, mentorship, and high-visibility projects to prepare for broader enterprise leadership roles within Novartis.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like market access, commercial innovation, or digital strategy within a large organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Director-level role is a significant step in a career path within pharmaceutical commercial leadership. It offers substantial strategic responsibility and the potential for significant career advancement within Novartis, either through expanded P&L ownership, therapeutic area leadership, or global roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an on-site role based in East Hanover, New Jersey. This suggests a traditional corporate office environment within Novartis's US headquarters or a major regional hub.

Office Location(s): East Hanover, New Jersey, USA. This location is a significant hub for Novartis's operations in the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role necessitates extensive collaboration with a diverse range of internal stakeholders, implying an office setup that supports team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional discussions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to robust IT infrastructure, including advanced analytics platforms, CRM systems, communication tools, and potentially specialized pharmaceutical market intelligence software.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with marketing, sales, medical, market access, and data science teams, fostering a dynamic and integrated work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the demands of a Director-level product strategy role, especially in a competitive pharmaceutical market, often require flexibility. This may include extended hours during critical planning cycles, product launches, or when addressing urgent market challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in East Hanover indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and engagement, which is common for senior leadership roles that require significant team orchestration and strategic alignment. The environment is expected to be professional, fast-paced, and data-intensive.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive into experience, strategic thinking, leadership style, and understanding of the CV market and product strategy principles.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical, and potentially Finance or Insights & Data Science. These will focus on collaboration, influence, and understanding of their respective functions.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a strategic plan for a hypothetical product scenario or a deep dive into a past success, demonstrating their analytical, strategic, and presentation skills. This is where portfolio elements will be crucial.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with a General Manager or a VP-level executive to assess strategic vision, enterprise leadership potential, and alignment with Novartis's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For every project or case study presented, clearly articulate the specific, measurable results achieved (e.g., % revenue increase, market share gain, P&L improvement, efficiency gains). Use ROI metrics where possible.

• Showcase Strategic Frameworks: Illustrate the strategic thinking process. Include models, frameworks, or methodologies used to develop and execute strategies.

• Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Detail your role in integrating diverse functional inputs and aligning teams. Emphasize how you managed different stakeholder perspectives.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Present challenges faced and how you strategically approached and overcame them, focusing on the decision-making process and its outcomes.

• Tailor to Novartis: Research Novartis's current strategic priorities, therapeutic areas (especially CV), and recent successes to tailor your presentation and examples to resonate with their business context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario Analysis: Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical market scenario for an ASCVD product, outlining strategic priorities, key success factors, and potential risks.

• Resource Allocation Exercise: Expect questions or a task related to allocating a hypothetical budget across various commercial functions to maximize product impact.

• KPI Definition & Measurement: Practice defining relevant KPIs for a product strategy and explaining how you would measure and report on them.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle conflicts or differing opinions with key functional partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority and strategic nature of this role, the interview process will be rigorous and multi-faceted. A well-prepared candidate will not only possess the required experience but also be able to articulate their strategic thinking, leadership style, and impact through compelling examples, ideally supported by a structured portfolio.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce (or similar enterprise CRM) for customer data management, sales tracking, and campaign management.

• Business Intelligence & Analytics Platforms: Tableau, Power BI, QlikView, or proprietary Novartis platforms for data visualization, KPI tracking, and performance reporting.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Monday.com, or Microsoft Project for managing complex, cross-functional initiatives and tracking timelines.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• Market Data & Insights Tools: IQVIA, Symphony Health, or similar pharmaceutical market data providers for competitive intelligence, market sizing, and performance benchmarking.

• Financial Modeling Software: Excel (advanced) for P&L analysis, budget forecasting, and ROI calculations.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint for developing strategic presentations, case studies, and executive reports.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Eloqua, Marketo, or similar for executing targeted marketing campaigns and lead nurturing (though less directly managed by this role, understanding is valuable).

• Data Warehousing/Lakes: Familiarity with how data is stored and accessed within large organizations (e.g., Snowflake, Hadoop) may be beneficial for understanding data science capabilities.

• Digital Engagement Platforms: Tools used for HCP (Healthcare Professional) or patient engagement, potentially involving Veeva or similar platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is strategic, a strong understanding of the underlying tools and data infrastructure is crucial for effective decision-making and collaboration with analytics and digital teams. Proficiency in advanced Excel and presentation software is a given.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient Focus: A commitment to improving patient lives through innovative therapies and strategic market access.

• Integrity & Ethics: Adherence to the highest ethical standards in all business dealings, crucial in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.

• Innovation & Agility: A drive to embrace new approaches, technologies, and business models to stay ahead in a competitive landscape, as highlighted by the emphasis on "transformation" and "agility."

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong belief in the power of cross-functional collaboration to achieve complex goals and drive enterprise-wide success.

• Performance & Accountability: A culture that rewards high performance, decisive action, and accountability for results, particularly in P&L and KPI management.

Collaboration Style:

• Matrixed & Influential: Collaboration is expected to be highly matrixed, requiring strong influencing skills, negotiation, and the ability to build consensus among diverse functional leaders.

• Data-Informed: Decisions and discussions are expected to be grounded in data and insights, fostering objective and rational collaboration.

• Strategic Alignment Focused: The primary goal of collaboration is to ensure the integrated product strategy is cohesive and effectively executed across all functions.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue and constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement and address challenges proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis, as a global pharmaceutical leader, likely fosters a culture that balances scientific rigor with commercial drive. The emphasis on agility and transformation suggests a forward-looking culture open to change. Candidates should demonstrate cultural alignment with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Complex Organization: Managing priorities and gaining alignment across multiple large, specialized functions within a global enterprise like Novartis can be challenging.

• Dynamic Market Landscape: The pharmaceutical market, especially in a competitive area like ASCVD, is constantly evolving with new competitors, evolving treatment guidelines, and regulatory changes, requiring continuous adaptation.

• Balancing Short-term vs. Long-term Goals: Effectively managing immediate commercial performance (P&L, KPIs) while investing in long-term product lifecycle and innovation requires strategic foresight.

• Driving Transformation: Leading significant business transformations requires change management skills, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams through uncertainty.

• Trade-off Decisions: Making difficult decisions about resource allocation that may positively impact one area while potentially constraining another requires robust analytical skills and strong communication.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Strategic Leadership Training: Access to executive development programs focused on strategic planning, P&L management, and enterprise leadership.

• Therapeutic Area Specialization: Deepening expertise in ASCVD and related cardiovascular diseases through internal resources, industry conferences, and medical affairs collaboration.

• Digital & Commercial Innovation: Opportunities to learn about and implement cutting-edge digital marketing, data analytics, and commercial models.

• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders and mentors within Novartis who can provide guidance on career progression and strategic challenges.

• Exposure to Global Markets: Potential to gain insights or participate in projects that involve global product strategy, broadening international market understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent in leading complex product strategies at a major pharmaceutical company. However, these challenges are directly linked to substantial growth and development opportunities, making it an attractive position for ambitious leaders.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed and executed an integrated product strategy that significantly impacted P&L. What were the key drivers, and how did you measure success?" (Focus on your role, strategic choices, cross-functional alignment, and quantifiable results.)

• "Imagine you have a limited budget to invest in a new product launch for ASCVD. How would you prioritize resource allocation across Marketing, Sales, Market Access, and Medical Affairs to maximize impact?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking, understanding of functional contributions, and trade-off decision-making.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Novartis's current position or strategy in the cardiovascular (CV) therapeutic area?" (Research recent company news, pipeline, and market presence in ASCVD.)

• "How do your leadership values align with Novartis's core values, particularly regarding innovation, integrity, and collaboration?" (Connect your experience and philosophy to the company's stated values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework. Clearly define the challenge, your specific responsibilities, the strategic actions you took, and the measurable outcomes.

• Visualize Data: Use clear charts and graphs to present performance metrics, P&L impact, and market data. Ensure these visuals are easy to understand and support your narrative.

• Focus on Your Contribution: While acknowledging team efforts, clearly articulate your specific strategic contributions, decisions, and leadership.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your choices, methodologies, and the rationale behind your decisions. Be prepared to defend your strategy and demonstrate your analytical depth.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it is concise, compelling, and within the allotted time. Practice explaining complex strategies in a clear and engaging manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic acumen, financial responsibility, cross-functional leadership, and an understanding of the pharmaceutical industry's complexities, particularly within the CV therapeutic area. Quantifiable achievements and a clear articulation of strategic decision-making are paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your professional portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects or case studies that best exemplify your experience in product strategy, P&L management, integrated cross-functional leadership, and driving product impact in the pharmaceutical sector. Ensure these examples are quantifiable and demonstrate strategic decision-making.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to prominently feature keywords and responsibilities mentioned in this job description, such as "Product Strategy," "P&L Management," "Cross-Functional Leadership," "US Market," "Budget Management," and "KPIs." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your strategic approach, leadership style, and key accomplishments. Prepare specific examples that align with common interview questions for senior strategy roles, focusing on your ability to drive impact and lead transformations.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Novartis, focusing on their CV therapeutic area, recent product launches or successes, and their stated corporate values. Understand their market position and strategic priorities to better align your responses and demonstrate your fit.

⚠️ 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.