Vendor Alliance Lead Associate Director (Cardiac Safety and Respiratory Diagnostics)

This is a seniorstandalonerole with high visibility and accountabilityand with significant oversight of Contract Vendor Start-Up Managers.You will act as the primary face of Novartis to specialist vendors and CRO partners ensuringhighquality compliant andtimelydelivery of diagnostic services critical to patient safety and regulatory success.

You willoperatein a global matrixed environment overseeing vendor performancequalificationand risk management while indirectly leading Contract VendorStartUpManagers embedded within CROs.

Requirements

• Leadendtoendvendor oversightgovernanceand performance across cardiac and respiratory diagnostic services

• Act as the senior escalation point for vendor issues driving structured issue resolution androotcauseanalysis

• Proactivelyidentifyand manage operational quality and compliance risks

• Oversee vendor qualification andrequalificationin partnership with Quality and Procurement

• Represent Novartis in key vendor discussions governanceforumsand business reviews

• Indirectly overseeCRObasedVendorStartUpManagers (approx. 3 indirect reports)

• Support audits and Health Authority inspections ensuringinspectionreadydocumentation

Whatyouwillbringto the role:

Education

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences Medicine Pharmacy Biomedical Sciences or related discipline or equivalent experience

Professional Experience (Essential)

• Significant experienceworking in aGxPregulatedenvironment

• Proven experience in vendor and CRO management within clinical development

• Strong programme management capability managing multiple vendors and studies concurrently

• Handsonexperience in the cardiac and respiratory diagnostic space including deep understanding of vendor capabilities and market landscape

• Demonstrated ability to independently engagechallengeand lead senior vendor stakeholders

• Experience supporting inspectionsauditsand regulatory interactions

Leadership & Style

• Selfstarterwith the confidence to step inassess situations quickly and take ownership

• Comfortable operating as astandalonerole with indirect reports

• Technically fluent enough to lead detailed vendor discussions without reliance on others

• Strong communicator who can drive outcomes in complex matrixed environments