Director, CRM Product Owner

Novartis•East Hanover, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategy, Platforms & Transformation team is dedicated to enabling improved decision making at Novartis by leveraging superior data to identify actionable insights that drive enhanced performance. We collaborate closely with the US business, bringing insights and challenging ideas to empower smarter, data-driven decision-making. The US CRM organization sits within Strategy, Platforms & Transformation and plays a crucial role in driving the transformation to a next-generation Customer360 operating model. Novartis seeks an accomplished product management leader with experience and demonstrated success transforming CRM capabilities programs within commercial operations. Strong management, partnership, and intellectual maturity are needed. A comprehensive understanding of best practices in CRM Data and AI applications for pharmaceutical sales and marketing, and the dynamics of the global healthcare environment is crucial. Reporting to the ED, Field CRM and Strategy, the Director, CRM Product Owner leads the strategy, development, and delivery of best practice CRM capabilities across the US CRM ecosystem. This hands-on role is central to transforming the way Novartis interacts with patients and customers by integrating process improvements, technology solutions, analytics, and user experience enhancements to deliver a world-class, customer-centric experiences. The Dir, CRM Product Owner partners closely with business and IT leadership to build a robust CRM foundation and activate transformation across the US commercial organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field is required; Master of Science and/or MBA preferred
Proven success in leading product management for large-scale CRM transformation, including accountability for delivery, change management, UX, Governance, communication strategy, and risk and compliance mitigation
7+ years of experience in product management, technology strategy, innovation, or leadership roles, preferably in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or CRM sectors
Deep understanding of the CRM landscape (Sales, Marketing and Service), including Salesforce (Agentforce, Marketing Cloud, Health Cloud, Data Cloud, Core platform), Veeva, and the major and evolving players in the ecosystem.
Deep expertise in CRM, AI, and Data platforms and architectures (e.g., Salesforce, Salesforce Data Cloud, Veeva, OpenAI, Snowflake, or similar data lake technologies).
Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory requirements, market dynamics, and emerging AI technologies
Experience managing and being accountable for the operations of product management teams, including backlog health and prioritization, agile practices and ceremonies, and driving strategic innovation
Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to build and lead high-performing teams
People management experience within CRM, AI, technology, or data-driven environments required
Must possess an ability to foster cross-functional alignment of key stakeholders to create a disciplined, ambitious, and collaborative, global, commercial CRM strategy
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions
Ability to adapt strategies and approaches in a rapidly evolving technological landscape

Responsibilities

Create and steward the Product Vision, Roadmap, and Delivery: Define, communicate, and execute the vision and strategy for CRM capabilities/functions (e.g. Customer Engagement, Platform, Medical, etc) ensuring alignment with business goals and stakeholder needs.
Drive CRM Product Innovation: Champion the adoption of advanced CRM technologies (including AI) and processes to optimize customer engagement and deliver actionable insights across the organization.
Gather CRM Requirements: Collect and interpret business needs, translating them into system and process improvements powered by technology, analytics, and best practices.
Deliver Product Management Excellence: Uphold high standards for product management delivery, disciplined execution, predictable and high-quality releases, and continuous improvement.
Transform Business Processes: Analyze current business processes and gaps, then design, implement, and scale improvements using data-driven and technology-enabled solutions.
Lead Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration between senior business leaders and working teams, securing input, feedback, and alignment on CRM initiatives.
Ensure Governance & Compliance: Establish and enforce governance frameworks to guarantee all CRM initiatives meet regulatory, privacy, and compliance requirements.
Build and Develop High-Performing Teams: Recruit, mentor, and lead groups of Product Owners, managing dependencies and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Drive Change Enablement: Align stakeholders, identify risks, and remove barriers to ensure successful adoption and sustained progress of CRM initiatives.
Evangelize CRM Strategy: Promote the CRM strategy and communicate impact across the organization through stakeholder meetings, leadership forums, and targeted communications.
Optimize CRM Investment: Prioritize and implement best practices, conduct build vs. buy analyses, and maximize the value of CRM investments.
Maintain Industry Awareness: Stay current on CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Veeva), industry trends, and best practices across sectors.