Director, Strategic Assistant (Chief of Staff)

Novartis • Phoenix, AZ

15d • Remote

About The Position

This position can be based remotely anywhere in the U.S. (there may be some restrictions based on legal entity). The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. This position will require 20% travel. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible to you. Company will not sponsor visas for this position. The Director, Strategic Assistant (Chief of Staff) serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Chief Customer Engagement Officer, helping shape direction, drive priorities, and translate vision into meaningful action across a diverse product portfolio. This role is instrumental in advancing key strategic initiatives, enabling operational excellence, and ensuring the leadership team is positioned to deliver best-in-class execution. As a central connector across Customer Engagement, Sales, and enterprise leadership, the Chief of Staff will lead executive engagement planning, foster cross-functional collaboration, and support organizational change. The ideal candidate brings a passion for both strategy and execution, thrives in complex environments, challenges the status quo, and influences credibility at all levels. Above all, this person is energized by solving problems, simplifying complexity, and creating impact that moves the business forward.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required from 4-year college or university.
• 8+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, consulting, or similarly structured industries; inclusive of at least 2 different types of cross-functional roles and / or experiences.
• We also welcome candidates from other complex sales environments such as medical devices, diagnostics, life sciences services, insurance, consumer health, or B2B sectors, especially where strong field leadership and customer engagement are central to success.
• 2+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and translating strategy into execution, with a proven ability to align global and local stakeholders to deliver impactful business outcomes.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into action, leading complex projects and initiatives from concept through execution with measurable impact.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions, geographies, and levels of leadership.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling capabilities, able to simplify complex concepts and deliver clear, compelling messages both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize information, generate insights, and develop thoughtful recommendations and action plans.
• Highly organized and proactive, with the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and deliver high-quality results with accuracy and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in management consulting, commercial pharmaceutical/biotech healthcare environments, or global and regional business roles, complemented by an advanced degree (e.g., MBA or Health Policy) and a strong understanding of complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering exceptional results through curiosity, strategic thinking, and influence, with the ability to lead across matrixed organizations, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire action with or without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Customer Engagement Officer, providing strategic insights, analysis, and recommendations that support critical business decisions and organizational priorities.
• Drive the planning, execution, and measurement of high-impact strategic initiatives across the Customer Engagement organization, partnering closely with cross-functional leaders to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
• Lead executive communications and engagement strategies, ensuring clear, compelling messaging for internal and external audiences.
• Act as a central connector across Customer Engagement, Sales Leadership, and enterprise stakeholders, fostering alignment, collaboration, and shared accountability.
• Oversee executive engagement planning, leadership team operations, and meeting excellence to maximize effectiveness, productivity, and decision-making.
• Lead and facilitate complex cross-functional projects, ensuring priorities remain on track, risks are mitigated, and objectives are achieved.
• Partner with sales leadership to identify emerging trends, solve business challenges, and develop enterprise-level solutions that enhance execution and performance.
• Represent and, when appropriate, serve as a delegate for the Chief Customer Engagement Officer in leadership discussions, stakeholder engagements, and strategic forums.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights while managing sensitive and confidential matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Champion simplification, continuous improvement, and change management initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and accelerate impact.

Benefits

• health, life and disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• a variety of other benefits
• a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director