Associate Director, Data Strategy

Role Description

This position can be based remotely anywhere in the U.S. (there may be some restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. This position will require 20% travel.

Strategy, Platforms & Transformation (SPT) is focused on increasing the velocity with which we translate our priorities into impact across the US business. The Data Strategy team helps establish and deliver a comprehensive rare disease data strategy for the US Commercial organization.

This role supports the development and execution of the rare disease data strategy, ensuring data assets, data products, and ways of working are aligned to broader Novartis objectives.

The Associate Director, Data Strategy partners with cross-functional stakeholders to translate priority business questions into a prioritized roadmap for data sourcing, enrichment, and decommissioning, and to establish clear governance, ownership, and success measures. The role enables access to fit-for-purpose data, manages dependencies and delivery risks across initiatives, and provides transparent progress reporting against agreed milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate priority rare disease business questions into an integrated data strategy roadmap with clear sequencing, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional alignment on data needs, definitions, and success measures; establish fit-for-purpose data standards and minimum metadata to enable portfolio visibility and reuse.
• Partner with Data Partnerships and Procurement stakeholders to inform vendor evaluations, data acquisition approaches, and ongoing portfolio optimization.
• Coordinate delivery across IDS and business teams by managing risks, issues, and interlocks; drive adoption of agreed ways of working and ensure timely decision-making.
• Provide regular, concise updates to senior stakeholders on progress, value delivered, and trade-offs; recommend course corrections based on data, insights, and changing business priorities.
• Ensure data strategy activities comply with applicable policies, data privacy requirements, and relevant regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in data strategy, data management, analytics enablement, or related roles.
• Working knowledge of data strategy principles, frameworks, and best practices, including roadmap development, governance, metadata, and data lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical commercial data vendors and common data domains, including claims, prescription, provider, patient services, and digital.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to influence decisions across functions and levels.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and adoption of new ways of working in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify delivery risks, dependencies, and constraints across data initiatives; familiarity with data privacy and compliance considerations is a plus.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in data strategy, data management, analytics enablement, or related roles.
• Working knowledge of data strategy principles, frameworks, and best practices, including roadmap development, governance, metadata, and data lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical commercial data vendors and common data domains, including claims, prescription, provider, patient services, and digital.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to influence decisions across functions and levels.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and adoption of new ways of working in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify delivery risks, dependencies, and constraints across data initiatives; familiarity with data privacy and compliance considerations is a plus.

Benefits

• The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600.00 and $270,400.00 per year.
• Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
• US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits.
• Employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to View email address on us.fitly.work or call View phone number on us.fitly.work and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$145,600.00 - $270,400.00

Skills Desired

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Insights
• Data Analytics
• Digital Marketing
• Market Research
• Media Campaigns
• Product Marketing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management
• Team Leadership
• Waterfall Model