Associate Director - Consulting & Program Management

Overview

Lead the scoping and delivery of priority programs and commercial consulting engagements within Business Solutions International (BSI), supporting the international Business Unit's commercial and operational excellence.

What you'll do

• Support the scoping and design of priority programs and strategic initiatives across the BSI Consulting and Program Management portfolio.
• Lead the delivery of high-impact programs aligned with international business priorities, driving commercial growth and operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional and global stakeholders to define, shape, and execute strategic programs and initiatives.
• Champion the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Generative Artificial Intelligence solutions, identifying opportunities to enhance program delivery and business impact.
• Support capability-building initiatives across consulting, program management, and learning disciplines.
• Lead commercial consulting engagements focused on commercial excellence, growth strategy, organizational effectiveness, and efficiency optimization.
• Design and facilitate executive and cross-functional workshops that drive alignment, decision-making, and measurable outcomes.
• Leverage technology, advanced analytics, and Artificial Intelligence to accelerate insights generation, strategic analysis, and scalable solution development.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder partnerships across International markets while delivering consulting excellence and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with other Business Services Innovation teams to deliver priority programs and strengthen organizational capabilities.
• Coach and mentor Managers and Senior Analysts, fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development.
• Serve as a role model for Novartis values, promoting an inclusive culture centered on shared impact and business excellence.

What you'll need

• Significant experience managing end-to-end project lifecycles, from strategy and planning through program execution and delivery.
• More than 10 years of experience within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare, consulting, or program management sectors.
• Demonstrated success leading consulting teams, including virtual and matrixed teams across geographies and functions.
• Proven ability to apply consulting methodologies and Artificial Intelligence-enabled solutions to solve complex business challenges.
• Strong consulting mindset with intellectual curiosity, structured problem-solving, and a results-oriented approach.
• Strategic and commercial acumen with the ability to translate market, customer, financial, and operational insights into actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional executive communication and storytelling skills, capable of influencing senior stakeholders through clear and compelling narratives.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder management capabilities, driving collaboration and consensus across diverse teams.
• Proven people leadership and coaching experience, with a track record of developing talent and high-performing teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

Nice to have

• Master's degree in a business-related discipline.
• Professional certifications in Program Management, Project Management, Product Management, Change Management, Agile, Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Enterprise Communications, Facilitation, Coaching, or Design Thinking.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives within global organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, Generative Artificial Intelligence, and digital innovation methodologies.

Details

• Location: Hyderabad (Office).
• Work mode: Hybrid (#LI-Hybrid).