Therapeutic Area Head, PK Sciences – Immunology

Salary Range: CHF169,400.00 - CHF314,600.00 Job Description Summary #LI-Hybrid Internal Title: TA Head, PKS Immunology Location: Basel We are seeking an accomplished and visionary scientific leader to join us as TA Head, PK Sciences (PKS) Immunology. In this highly visible role, you will lead a cross-functional scientific organization spanning pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, and quantitative pharmacology across discovery, early development, and late-stage development. You will play a critical role in advancing the immunology portfolio, shaping integrated development strategies and enabling high-quality portfolio decisions. As TA Head, PKS Immunology, you will provide strategic and scientific leadership across a portfolio of diverse modalities with a broad translational sciences remit. You will be responsible for defining fit-for-purpose development strategies across programs, ensuring scientific rigor in execution, and building strong partnerships across research, development, regulatory, and portfolio teams. This role requires a leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong organizational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to influence across a matrixed organization. You will also lead and develop scientists and serve as an important internal and external representative of the organization. Job Description Key Responsibilities • Define and implement integrated platform and program strategies from discovery through registration • Support data-driven decision-making and differentiated development strategies for the immunology portfolio • Oversee pharmacokinetic, clinical pharmacology, bioanalytical and quantitative pharmacology contributions to regulatory submissions and supporting documentation • Support health authority interactions by ensuring high-quality scientific input into development and regulatory strategies • Drive cross-functional collaboration across discovery, development, regulatory, and other key partner functions to ensure rigorous and efficient program execution • Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing scientific team, including oversight of PKS Immunology scientists • Serve as a scientific thought leader internally and externally through collaborations, publications, presentations, and participation in relevant scientific forums • Promote operational excellence through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and effective use of resources • Leverage digital tools, AI, and automation, where appropriate, to enhance insight generation, efficiency, and decision-making Leadership Behaviors in Action • Deliver results through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on value and outcomes • Demonstrate an enterprise mindset and strong ownership by prioritizing resources and decisions for maximum portfolio and patient impact • Role‑model leadership behaviors through visible actions, continuous self‑reflection, and openness to feedback • Build trust through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments • Empower others to innovate and improve while maintaining high scientific, ethical, and operational standards AI Fluency • Bring strong AI and digital fluency, using enterprise tools to enhance insight generation, decision‑making, and team productivity • Accountable for the ethical, transparent, and compliant use of AI in line with enterprise AI governance and data protection standards External Eminence • Act as an external thought leader, advancing and elevating Novartis’ reputation in translational science and innovation Operational Excellence • Drive operational excellence through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and effective use of resources to maximize PKS and enterprise value • Act as a responsible steward of people, data, and digital capabilities, leveraging AI and automation to improve efficiency, quality, and decision speed • Apply value‑based prioritization and resource awareness to ensure efforts are focused on the highest‑impact scientific and portfolio outcomes Essential Requirements • PhD or PharmD in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline • Significant biopharmaceutical industry experience, typically 12 or more years, spanning preclinical and clinical drug research and development, including senior leadership responsibility • Demonstrated people leadership experience, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing scientific talent • Strong understanding of global regulatory requirements and experience contributing to submissions such as INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, and BLAs • Proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment and influence across teams and organizational levels • Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of scientific rigor and sound judgment Desirable Requirements • Experience in immunological disease • Experience in bioanalytical assay development and immunogenicity assessments • Demonstrated experience across different modalities, including small molecules, mAbs, and potentially CAR-T cell therapies • Familiarity with late-stage development and registration-enabling activities • Experience applying digital tools, AI, or machine learning to scientific decision-making and development execution • Track record of external scientific visibility through publications, presentations, or industry/academic engagement Benefits & Rewards At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen. Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: • 169,400.00 - 314,600.00 CHF Annual The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be re