ED, Decision Science, Renal TA and US Portfolio Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: ED, Decision Science, Renal TA and US Portfolio Product Strategy

Company: Novartis

Location: East Hanover, New Jersey, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Decision Science / Product Strategy

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This pivotal role champions data-driven decision-making within the Renal Therapeutic Area (TA) and US Portfolio, focusing on advanced analytics and strategic product planning.

• The position requires a seasoned leader to transform complex data into actionable insights, directly influencing brand strategy and optimizing product performance throughout its lifecycle.

• It involves leading a dedicated Decision Science POD (Point of Delivery) team, ensuring synthesized insights and strategic recommendations are effectively communicated to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• The role acts as a critical bridge between the Insights and Decision Science (IDS) organization and the business, driving proactive strategy refinement and informed decision-making for key brand initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at an Executive Director (ED) level, indicating significant strategic responsibility and leadership. The focus on "Renal TA and US Portfolio Product Strategy" suggests deep specialization within a specific therapeutic area and a broad scope across the US market. The emphasis on "Decision Science" and "Insights and Decision Science (IDS)" highlights a data-centric approach to strategy development, aligning with modern GTM and product management best practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Brand Direction: Shape and refine brand strategies by identifying opportunities, addressing challenges, and optimizing performance through deep data analysis and insight generation.

• Integrated Insight Delivery: Synthesize and integrate insights from across various IDS functions (e.g., secondary data, data science, market research, field analytics, market access) to deliver comprehensive, actionable recommendations aligned with key brand objectives.

• IPST & GM Partnership: Serve as the primary strategic thought partner for the Integrated Product Strategy Team (IPST) and General Management (GM), driving the brand performance narrative, ensuring consistent communication, and fostering alignment.

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a high-performing IDS POD at the product level, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in data analysis and insight generation.

• Lifecycle Insight Management: Support the generation and analysis of insights throughout the entire product lifecycle, ensuring continuous improvement, strategic alignment, and proactive identification of business issues.

• Performance & Predictive Analytics: Integrate performance analytics (diagnosing current results, identifying KPIs and drivers, root cause analysis) with predictive analytics (data-driven scenarios, simulations) to explore and address complex business issues.

• Narrative Crafting: Understand and contribute to crafting compelling brand narratives for IPST meetings and senior leadership discussions, ensuring data-backed insights are clearly communicated.

• Insight Pressure-Testing: Actively pressure-test insights and analyses generated by the team and other functions to ensure robust, high-quality recommendations that drive brand success and challenge established thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, advanced analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and team management. The direct involvement in IPST and GM discussions underscores the high impact and visibility of this role. The requirement to "pressure-test insights" signifies a commitment to analytical rigor and data integrity.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Data Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Ten-plus years of experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, with a deep understanding of brand management, product lifecycle management, and market dynamics.

• Five-plus years of domain expertise in strategic analytics areas such as secondary data analytics, data science, primary market research, field analytics and insights, market access and patient service analytics, or management consulting.

• Proven track record in developing strategic insights that drive brand success and align with organizational goals.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Product Strategy: Expertise in developing and executing product strategies within the pharmaceutical sector, understanding market dynamics and lifecycle management.

• Advanced Data Analytics & Synthesis: Ability to integrate and synthesize complex data from diverse sources (secondary data, primary research, field data, market access data) to drive actionable, business-aligned insights.

• Team Leadership & Management: Proven experience leading and developing high-performing analytics or strategy teams, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Strong ability to work effectively with diverse cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs) and influence stakeholders without direct authority, particularly within IPST settings.

• Insight Generation & Hypothesis Testing: Proficiency in insight and hypothesis generation, behavioral science principles, data science methodologies, and primary/secondary research techniques.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively collaborating with senior leadership and presenting complex data and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively.

Preferred Skills:

• Therapeutic Area Expertise: Strong background in therapeutic area strategy, ideally with experience in Renal TA.

• Early-Stage Asset Planning: Experience in early-stage asset planning and development.

• Launch Experience: Experience with both established and launch products.

• Market Access & Patient Services Analytics: Specialized knowledge in these complex analytical domains.

• Digital Marketing Strategy: Understanding of digital channels and their impact on brand performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an advanced degree and extensive domain expertise in specific analytical areas highlights the advanced nature of this role. The "Skills Desired" within the raw input provide additional context, including "Influencing Skills," "Stakeholder Management," and "Go-To-Market Strategy," which are crucial for success in this strategic position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Case Studies: Demonstrate experience in developing and executing strategic plans for pharmaceutical products, showcasing how data-driven insights led to measurable brand performance improvements.

• Insight Synthesis Examples: Showcase instances where complex, multi-source data was synthesized into clear, actionable recommendations that influenced strategic decisions.

• Team Leadership & Development: Provide examples of how you have led, mentored, and developed analytics or strategy teams to achieve high performance and foster innovation.

• Cross-Functional Project Examples: Highlight projects where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams to achieve strategic brand objectives, demonstrating influencing skills and stakeholder alignment.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Frameworks: Document your approach to developing strategic product plans, including market assessment, competitive analysis, and opportunity identification.

• Insight Generation Workflow: Outline your methodology for translating raw data into actionable insights, including steps for hypothesis generation, data collection, analysis, and synthesis.

• Performance Measurement & Optimization: Detail your processes for defining KPIs, measuring brand performance, diagnosing root causes of performance deviations, and implementing optimization strategies.

• Cross-Functional Alignment Process: Describe your methods for ensuring alignment and buy-in from various stakeholders (e.g., IPST, GM) on strategic initiatives and data-driven recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" may not be explicitly requested, candidates are expected to articulate their experience and methodologies clearly, often through case studies presented during the interview process or described in their resume. The focus is on demonstrating strategic thinking, analytical rigor, leadership, and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

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

Benefits:

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

• 401(k) Plan: Includes company contribution and match, providing a robust retirement savings plan.

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

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

• Annual Equity Awards: Eligibility for equity awards, depending on the role level, offering long-term incentive potential.

• Additional Benefits: A variety of other benefits as detailed in the company's "Life Handbook."

Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While the specific schedule may vary based on project needs and team collaboration, the expectation is consistent engagement and availability for critical business discussions and team meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is substantial, reflecting the senior leadership level (ED) and the specialized nature of the role within the pharmaceutical industry. The inclusion of performance-based incentives and equity awards indicates a total compensation package designed to reward high performance and long-term commitment. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large, established pharmaceutical company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotechnology

Company Size: Novartis is a large, global pharmaceutical company with tens of thousands of employees, operating in numerous countries. This scale offers significant resources, broad market reach, and extensive opportunities for professional development and impact.

Founded: Novartis was formed in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Its rich history spans over 250 years, built on innovation in healthcare.

Team Structure:

• IDS POD Model: The role leads an "IDS POD" (Point of Delivery) at the product level. This suggests a decentralized, product-centric structure where specialized analytics and insights teams are embedded within or closely aligned with specific product teams.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into the VP, Decision Science TA and Launch, indicating a clear hierarchy within the Decision Science organization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role is a primary strategic partner to the Integrated Product Strategy Team (IPST) and General Management (GM), necessitating close collaboration with commercial, medical, market access, and other functional leaders.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The core philosophy of the IDS team is to enable improved decision-making through advanced analytics and actionable insights.

• Insight-Driven Strategy: Emphasis is placed on leveraging data to challenge existing thinking, shape strategy, identify opportunities, and optimize performance.

• Integrated Analytics: The role requires synthesizing insights from diverse data sources, including performance analytics, predictive analytics, secondary data, primary research, and market access data.

• Agility and Innovation: The "Skills Desired" list includes "Agility," suggesting a dynamic approach to strategy and a willingness to adapt to evolving market conditions and data insights.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis's commitment to leveraging data science for strategic advantage is evident. The "IDS POD" structure implies a focus on embedding analytical expertise directly into business units, fostering closer alignment and faster insight translation. The company's heritage and global presence suggest a stable yet innovative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Executive Director (ED) - This level signifies a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility, team management, and cross-functional influence. It is typically a few levels below C-suite but above Senior Manager or Director.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the VP of Decision Science for a specific Therapeutic Area and Launch, indicating a clear path for strategic oversight and mentorship from a senior leader. The role also directly partners with General Management and the IPST.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and substantial impact on the commercial success of pharmaceutical products, particularly within the Renal TA. By providing data-driven strategic direction, optimizing brand performance, and influencing critical decisions, this role directly contributes to revenue generation and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher VP-level roles within Decision Science, broader strategic leadership positions within Novartis, or leadership of larger therapeutic area portfolios.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in Renal TA strategy and advanced decision science within the pharmaceutical industry.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Continued development through deep collaboration with various business units and senior leadership, enhancing strategic business acumen.

• Skill Development: Access to Novartis's extensive learning and development programs, including opportunities for advanced training in data science, AI, behavioral economics, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ED level suggests a critical juncture for career growth, offering broad strategic exposure and leadership development opportunities within a major pharmaceutical organization. The emphasis on influencing senior leadership and driving strategic decisions provides a strong foundation for future executive roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as "On-site," implying a traditional office-based work environment. This setting facilitates in-person collaboration, team building, and direct interaction with colleagues and senior leadership within the Novartis offices in East Hanover.

Office Location(s): East Hanover, New Jersey, United States. This location serves as a significant hub for Novartis operations in the US, likely offering a professional and well-equipped workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature is intended to foster a collaborative atmosphere, essential for the IPST and close partnership with GM and other functional teams.

• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to Novartis's standard suite of business and analytics tools, CRM systems, and potentially specialized data science platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular in-person team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct mentorship from the VP and peers within the IDS organization.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the strategic nature and leadership responsibilities, there may be expectations for flexibility to attend critical meetings, address urgent business needs, or collaborate across time zones when necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for high-touch collaboration and team integration, which is common for senior strategic roles where significant face-to-face interaction with leadership and cross-functional partners is valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application by the recruiting team, focusing on alignment with the experience and qualifications outlined.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the VP, Decision Science TA and Launch, to assess strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and overall fit for the role and team.

• Case Study / Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to prepare and present a strategic case study or analysis, demonstrating their ability to synthesize data, generate insights, and develop actionable recommendations. This is a critical component for evaluating problem-solving skills and strategic acumen.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key members of the IPST and GM to evaluate collaboration skills, ability to influence, and understanding of brand strategy from a broader business perspective.

• HR / Final Interview: A discussion covering culture fit, compensation, and logistics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: When preparing case studies or examples, emphasize the measurable impact of your insights and strategies on brand performance (e.g., market share growth, revenue increase, improved ROI).

• Showcase Synthesis: Clearly articulate how you integrated data from multiple sources to arrive at your conclusions. Detail the types of data used and the analytical methodologies applied.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led teams, mentored individuals, and fostered a high-performance culture.

• Illustrate Influence: Provide examples of how you influenced senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners, especially in challenging situations or when presenting novel ideas.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your presentation logically, starting with the business problem, detailing your approach, presenting your insights, outlining your strategic recommendations, and concluding with the achieved or projected impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Problem Solving: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical strategic challenge for a Renal TA product, including data you would seek, analyses you would perform, and insights you would aim to uncover.

• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting complex data sets and articulating clear, concise insights and recommendations.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have managed challenging stakeholder relationships or driven alignment on data-driven strategies.

• Leadership Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your leadership style, your approach to team development, and how you foster innovation and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to be rigorous, assessing not only analytical skills but also strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to drive impact within a complex organizational structure. A strong presentation of past work and strategic thinking is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Proficiency with major CRM platforms (e.g., Veeva CRM, Salesforce) for understanding sales data, customer interactions, and campaign performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for creating dashboards, reports, and communicating insights visually.

• Advanced Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, SAS) or specialized analytics platforms used for predictive modeling, segmentation, and forecasting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Secondary Data Sources: Experience utilizing and analyzing data from providers such as IQVIA (IMS Health), Symphony Health, or similar pharmaceutical market data providers.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Utilization of BI platforms for ongoing performance tracking and reporting across various business metrics.

• Forecasting & Simulation Software: Familiarity with tools or methodologies for scenario planning and predictive modeling.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Understanding of platforms like Marketo or HubSpot, though direct hands-on may be less critical than understanding their output and integration.

• Data Integration Tools: Awareness of how different data sources are integrated to provide a unified view, though direct experience with ETL tools might not be a primary requirement for this strategic role.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements are not detailed, the role's focus on "Decision Science" and "Advanced Analytics" implies a need for strong analytical software proficiency, data manipulation skills, and experience with pharmaceutical industry data sources. The ability to translate data into actionable business strategies is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Innovation: A core value is leveraging data and advanced analytics to drive innovative strategies and solutions.

• Customer Centricity: Understanding and responding to the needs of patients and healthcare professionals through insight generation.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering a spirit of partnership and shared goals.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards in data analysis and decision-making, with accountability for driving brand success.

• Efficiency & Agility: A commitment to optimizing processes and adapting quickly to market changes and new insights.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Strategic Partner: The role is expected to be a proactive, strategic thought partner, not just a reactive analyst.

• Influence Without Authority: A key aspect is the ability to influence decisions and drive action through compelling insights and strong relationships, rather than direct reporting lines.

• Data-Informed Storytelling: Collaboration involves translating complex data into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, from analysts to senior executives.

• Challenging the Status Quo: Fostering an environment where constructive challenges to current thinking are encouraged to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Novartis emphasizes a culture that blends scientific rigor with commercial acumen. The values highlight a forward-thinking, collaborative approach where data is central to strategic decision-making and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Data Complexity & Integration: Synthesizing vast amounts of diverse data from various sources (sales, clinical, market access, digital) into coherent, actionable insights can be complex.

• Influencing Senior Stakeholders: Gaining buy-in and driving action from senior leadership and cross-functional teams, especially when recommendations challenge existing strategies or require significant investment.

• Pace of Change: The pharmaceutical industry is dynamic. Adapting strategies and insights to rapidly evolving market conditions, competitive landscapes, and regulatory environments is a continuous challenge.

• Team Development: Leading and motivating a team of high-performing individuals, ensuring they are equipped with the latest analytical skills and aligned with business objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Analytics & AI Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in cutting-edge data science techniques, machine learning, and AI applications relevant to drug development and commercialization.

• Therapeutic Area Expansion: Potential to broaden expertise into adjacent therapeutic areas or gain deeper knowledge within the Renal TA.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Novartis's comprehensive leadership training, focusing on strategic management, change leadership, and executive communication.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Participation in key industry events to stay abreast of trends, share insights, and build professional networks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex strategic challenges and leveraging Novartis's extensive resources for continuous learning and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used data to significantly alter a brand's strategic direction. What was the challenge, your approach, the data you used, and the outcome?"

• "How would you approach developing a product strategy for a new Renal TA asset entering a competitive market? What key data points would you prioritize?"

• "Walk us through your process for synthesizing insights from multiple data sources (e.g., sales data, market research, competitive intelligence) to inform a strategic recommendation."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Novartis's commitment to data science and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector?"

• "How would you foster a culture of data-driven decision-making within a cross-functional team like the IPST?"

• "Describe your leadership style and how you motivate and develop high-performing analytics teams."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For any case study or example you present, follow a clear story arc: the business problem/opportunity, the data and analytical approach, the key insights derived, the strategic recommendations, and the measurable impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., increased market share by X%, improved campaign ROI by Y%, identified Z% revenue opportunity).

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with others, especially cross-functional partners, to achieve results.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodologies, assumptions, and the nuances of your analysis. Be prepared to defend your approach and articulate alternatives.

• Connect to Novartis: If possible, subtly link your past successes to the challenges and opportunities at Novartis, particularly within the Renal TA.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, analytical rigor, leadership, and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable business strategies that drive measurable impact. The case study presentation is likely a critical evaluation point.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Novartis Careers portal using the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of pharmaceutical/healthcare experience, specific achievements in brand management, product lifecycle strategy, and data-driven decision-making. Quantify your impact wherever possible.

• Develop Your Narrative: Prepare 1-2 key case studies that showcase your ability to synthesize complex data, generate actionable insights, lead teams, and influence strategic decisions. Focus on impact and measurable results, especially in areas relevant to the Renal TA.

• Research Novartis: Understand Novartis's current focus areas, particularly in the Renal TA, and their stated commitment to data science and innovation.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your case studies and answering strategic questions, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and a focus on business impact. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and approach to cross-functional collaboration.

⚠️ 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.