Manager, Project Management Office

Job description

Job Description

Job Purpose:
•Key organizational position focusing on early development projects (e.g. project strategy, planning and execution)
•Play strategic role in building project plans with options, risk mitigation and contingencies
•Provide proactive operational oversight of all aspects of the integrated project plan, including
oRecognize project needs and raise them appropriately in the organization
oBuild effective teams
oUse drug development expertise to integrate knowledge of all line functions for project
oActively challenge teams to apply best practices and creativity
•Accountable for advancement of project

Major Activities:
(1)Projects
•Manages LMW and / or biologics projects across multiple phases, different Disease Areas, and of local or global scope; participates in non-pipeline projects / initiatives; together with Strategic Alliance colleagues, leads Due Diligence projects
•In partnership with the Project Team Leader (PTL), enables and drives the project strategy development; assures continuous consistency of the operational plan with project strategy.
•Together with the project team, responsible for generation and maintenance of the integrated project plan (option development, risks analyses and risk mitigation plans, contingencies, designs alternatives and opportunities identifications, decision tree generation, timing), for identification of activities on the critical path, for ensuring execution of all cross-functional project activities
•Together with PTL prepares and reviews project documentation for board meetings according to current guidelines (esp TRTD, DADB)

(2)Teams
•Builds alliances with Project Team Members that engender trust.
•Works with team members to identify key issues and brings to project team for deliberation and decisions
•Works in partnership with PTL to drive high performing teams based on the expertise and contributions of its members shared responsibility and the coordination of work towards a common goal. Strives for the alignment of team members, project goals and global functions.
•Responsible for structure of own project teams
•With and without the assistance of facilitators, guides newly formed teams through the team development process to become “High Performing Teams”
•Serves as neutral facilitator, communicates openly and timely, horizontally and vertically in order to achieve transparency of project progress and lead to resolve conflicts in good faith
•Applies knowledge of the industry, Project management and the competitive environment
•Coaches core team members for optimal project progression when needed

(3)Operations
•Organizes and chairs project team meetings and issues high quality agendas and meeting minutes in a timely fashion
•Ensures internal portfolio systems are accurate and regularly updated
•Accountable for monthly cross-functional project overview for respective projects

(4) Stakeholder Management
•Provides key information to Project Management TA Head to update project status and impact on DA portfolio (timelines, budget, resources, issues, etc.)
•Develops working relationships with DA/TM Heads, and PSD
•Influences DADB members, project teams and into the wider organization
•Resolves problems and escalates issues appropriately.

(5)PJM Leadership
•Provides Project Management leadership in the areas of planning, tracking, problem-solving, risk management and plan execution in line with project team goals.
•Actively identifies and develops best practice for project management and implements accordingly
•Facilitator of Project Launch and Strategy Workshops, capable of training others on Project Management topics
•Acts as strong supporter of organizational change, delivering changes through project teams; participates in initiatives to identify, develop and implement organizational change within and outside of PMO
•May deputise for TA Head PMO.

(6)People Management
•Mentors and coaches Project Managers and Team Members as requested
•Prepares and manages own development plan

EEO Statement

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

Desired profile

(1)Education
•Advanced scientific degree (MSc, PhD, PharmD, etc.) with a background in other Pharma discipline (Discovery, Pre-clinical, Clinical, Pharmacokinetics, Regulatory etc.)
•Knowledge of disease area advantageous

(2)Language / Communication
•Fluent English (oral and written), other languages are an additional asset
•Strong verbal and written communication
•Excellent interpersonal and information management skills

(3)Relevant Experience and skills
•Relevant professional experience in Pharma or biotech industry and in drug development project management
•Experience in later stage drug development is a plus
•Demonstrated experience in leading / managing and driving cross-functional teams
•Experience in matrix and/or direct people management role with demonstrated ability to influence without authority successfully
•Expert in all aspects of team behaviours; drives conflicts resolution in teams; good ability to modulate style
•Advanced skill in facilitating/optimizing the contribution of diverse team members as individuals and as a team
•Capable of quickly gathering high-level understanding of complex technical, medical and scientific issues
•Demonstrated a global mindset and cultural awareness