Lab Automation & Logistics Delivery Lead

Job Description Summary

As a Delivery Lead for Lab Automation & Logistics in Data & Digital (D&D) you will drive the delivery and adoption of cutting-edge automation orchestration and AI-enabled solutions across laboratory operations and sample logistics in Biomedical Research.

You will play a pivotal role in transforming how scientific workflows are executed enabling scalable efficient and data-driven lab environments that accelerate research outcomes.

Job Description

Internal job title: Associate Director

Position Location: San Diego CA or Cambridge MA onsite #LI-onsite

This role is based in San Diego CA or Cambridge MA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if either location is accessible for you.

The role focuses on creating and improving automated and scalable end-to-end processes across lab data and logistics environments. Delivery is performed through predictable high-quality and timebound initiatives aligned with enterprise priorities and architectural standards. The Delivery Lead is instrumental in prioritizing planning and executing initiatives across the full lifecycle from ideation to release scaling and transition to operations while ensuring alignment with architectural security and compliance standards. The role plays a central part in enabling innovative value creation for Biomedical Research through effective delivery leadership workflow-centric thinking and strong stakeholder engagement.

Scope of Responsibility

The role operates across the following capability areas:

• Lab device and system integration

• Workflow orchestration across systems and teams

• Automation (RPA event-driven workflows)

• AI solutions for operational processes

• Sample ordering production and logistics workflows

• Compliance-enabled workflow design and execution

Key responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of lab automation and workflow orchestration initiatives driving scalable and efficient lab and logistics processes across Biomedical Research

• Ensure delivery excellence by managing scope timelines and budget while leading cross-functional matrix teams and aligning across stakeholders and D&D functions

• Drive workflow automation by identifying inefficiencies and translating business processes into scalable reusable automation solutions (RPA orchestration AI)

• Own stakeholder engagement by acting as the primary interface building strong relationships aligning priorities and communicating progress risks and outcomes clearly

• Guarantee compliance and standards by ensuring solutions meet architectural security and regulatory requirements and align with enterprise platforms and data integrity needs

Essential Requirements:

• Masters or PhD degree ina scientific/technology/computationalscience/data science area.

• 10 years of relevant experience in a multidisciplinary environment across the Pharma continuum.

• Proven ability to deliver complex initiatives end-to-end consistently achieving high-quality outcomes on time and within budget across lab data or digital domains

• Strong project management expertise including prioritization planning execution communication and risk management with the ability to manage dependencies across multiple teams and systems

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional matrix teams with the ability to effectively coordinate diverse stakeholders and drive aligned execution

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to act as a trusted delivery partner across business and technical audiences

• Solid domain and digital expertise including understanding of lab operations and scientific systems and hands-on knowledge of workflow automation RPA and AI-enabled solutions

• Strong systems thinking and automation mindset with the ability to identify optimization opportunities and apply appropriate approaches (workflow orchestration RPA AI) to deliver scalable solutions

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience applying modern delivery practices (e.g. agile experimentation product-centric delivery models)

• Agentic AI experience

• Ability to translate ambiguous operational challenges into structured deliverable initiatives

• Proven ability to drive innovation continuous improvement and high-performance delivery behaviors in complex environments

• Curious self-motivated and continuous learner

• Collaborative and delivery-oriented mindset

The salary for this position is expected to range between $152600 and $283400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like but not limited to relevant skills andexperience and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the publishedsalary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and depending on the level of therole eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health life anddisability benefits a 401(k) with company contribution and match and a variety of other benefits. Inaddition employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation personal daysholidays and other leaves.

To learn more about the culture rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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 or call 1 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$152600.00 - $283400.00

Skills Desired

Algorithms Computer Programming Computer Science Computer Vision Data Science People Management R&D (Research And Development) Solution Design Waterfall Model