International Medical Affairs Head, CRM

The Head of International Medical Affairs (IMA) Cardiovascular, Renal, Metabolic (CRM) plays an important role in supporting pre-launch preparation and new product or indication launches for priority brands internationally. This position is central to bringing innovative therapies to international markets by providing medical and scientific leadership and helping shape the strategic direction of launches and Life Cycle Management (LCM).By advancing innovative launch readiness solutions, this role helps ensure the therapeutic area is well prepared to deliver value for patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems. It includes translating deep science in to differentiating and patient focused medical affairs strategies to support key pre-launch and launch activities. The role brings together medical perspectives across regions and priority countries, helping ensure consistency and alignment on Integrated Evidence Plans, as well as messaging and strategy that support access and clinical adoption.By coordinating efforts internationally, this role helps connect regional and country-specific needs with broader organizational objectives. This includes tailoring medical activities to address the unique opportunities and challenges within each market, supporting access and demonstrating the value of new therapies to our patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare systems. Through close collaboration with cross-functional teams, the role contributes not only to successful launches but also to the long-term success of products in the marketplace, helping advance the mission to improve and extend people’s lives.The Head of IMA for CRM leads the CRM Medical Affairs team responsible for the CRM portfolio, launches of new products or indications, and priority Life Cycle Management (LCM), with a focus on priority countries. Reporting to the Head of International Medical Affairs, this role is a member of the International Medical Affairs Leadership Team and TA Leadership Team.Major Accountabilities: Medical and scientific leadership input into priority assets, LCM of the CRM portfolio and pipeline (post-TDP)Innovative launch readiness solutions for the TA including MA planning and execution of the medical/scientific engagement strategy (MSL / field medical affairs strategy, medical education programs, scientific congresses, medical expert network development, and input into scientific publication planning) delivering strategic pre-launch and launch medical activities, addressing needs for patient, and clinical adoption, while partnering with Value and Access, Commercial Launch Strategy and in alignment with the international MA strategyOne cohesive medical voice for the regions and priority countries by engaging with regional and priority countries MA to consolidate IMA perspective for launch considerations, drive enterprise efficiency, and support in-country MAInternational MA input into the IEP planning and evidence generation strategy and implementationProvide the IMA TA Head and team with an integrated Medical Affairs perspective from priority countries to help shape the IMA TA strategy, including launch readiness and executionEnsure trial operationalization optimally addresses priority country needs (e.g., footprint, patient population)Provides medical input into post-TDP with the focus on innovative evidence solutions (interventional studies, NIS and RWE studies) addressing the needs of patients, clinical, access and value to health care systems across priority countriesProvide consolidated view for IEP gaps for priority countries to support launchProvide IMA inputs to enhance patient access and best use of optimal medical treatment by clearly demonstrating value to practitioners and payors throughout the lifecycle of each productBuilds relationships with external healthcare professionals, patient associations, professional bodies, and major professional societiesExcellent operational execution and financial tracking to ensure timely and cost-effective development and execution of medical activities related to the TALead and support a high-performing team, while fostering medical transformation through talent attraction, development, and retentionRequirements: Advanced medical degree, Medical Doctor, PhD, or PharmD.10+ years of clinical and Medical Affairs experience within pharmaceutical organizations, with demonstrated functional expertise. Experience in evidence generation and launch excellence, scientific engagement and communications, clinical trials, medical operational excellence, and compliance is important. Clinical experience spanning research and medical affairs is preferred.Experience in CRM TA preferred, with proven record in Launch Medical.Country Head level experience with direct P+L responsibility preferred. Global, multi and/or above country experience desirable.Builds credibility, collaborates effectively, and influences across a diverse stakeholder group in a matrix organization, navigating an environment of shared outcomes and cross-business accountabilityActs as a credible external representative for Novartis Medical Affairs with global KOLs, medical societies, and industry forumsCombines operational excellence with innovation, bringing a forward-looking and strategic mindset with the ability to create and implement a vision supported by next-generation capabilities and processesProven ability to build, lead, and support teams in delivering strong results