Associate Director, NPAF Program Operations

Band Level 5

Job Description Summary

This role is based in East Hanover, NJ. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support; please only apply if accessible.

Imagine helping patients gain access to life-changing medicines when they need them most. As the Associate Director, NPAF Program Operations, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation by helping ensure seamless, compliant, and sustainable program operations that support patients facing financial barriers to treatment. Working across internal teams and external partners, you'll drive operational excellence, enhance the patient and provider experience, and help shape the future of patient assistance programs in an evolving healthcare landscape. This is an opportunity for a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader to make a direct impact on patient access while partnering with stakeholders across Novartis to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Program daily operations and assist with vendor escalations to resolution
• Program material management; creation, revision and lifecycle mgt (patient and provider). Responsible for the FUSE approval process and any subsequent agency collaboration
• Monthly case audit & oversight management of vendor program
• Participating in quality monitoring oversight (calibration calls)
• Identification and support of quality events (internal and vendor)
• Field and Leadership escalation management with compassion and effective communication
• Shipment escalation resolution with pharmacy. Inventory management and ordering
• Internal DST and NPS field stakeholder engagement as needed
• Support proper execution of NPAF policies and adherence to compliance standards.
• Identify and report adverse events via the established Novartis systems as per applicable processes.

Essential Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree (e.g., MHA, MBA) or clinical degree (e.g., PharmD, RPh, PA, etc.) preferred
• 3+ years related experience in comprehensive knowledge of patient support offerings including benefits verification, patient assistance programs, and specialty pharmacy interactions.
• Ability to connect and coordinate activities across functional groups in Novartis, have strong influencing capability and be proactive in driving results.
• Strong written and oral presentation skills, including comfort delivering presentations.
• Experience in creating patient and customer communications
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot operational challenges and create solutions to address such challenges related to process, system or customer
• Ability to multitask in a demanding workplace while managing pressure, deadlines and conflicting and shifting priorities.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations, patient privacy, and other relevant regulations

Desirable Requirements:

• 3+ years of demonstrated experience managing program operations of a Foundation or Patient Support Program
• Experience overseeing vendor program operations. Experience in distribution and inventory management of cold chain and ambient medications

Novartis Compensation Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $160,300 and $297,700 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

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. In addition, 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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to View email address on us.fitly.work 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

$160,300.00 - $297,700.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Employee Development, Finance, Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, People Management, Process Management, Project Management, Public Affairs, Real World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Value Propositions