Head of International Medical Affairs, Governance Enablement
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Before you apply
Salary€94k – €174k
LocationBarcelona Gran Vía
Work modehybrid
Typefull-time
SeniorityDirector
Experience10+ yrs
EquityIncluded
Company size10,000+ people
PostedOct 27, 2026 · 1w ago
Verified live1d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Advanced degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or a related field
Minimum 10 years of Medical Affairs, Quality and Compliance experience within the pharmaceutical industry
Proven experience working in international, regional, or above-country Medical Affairs roles within a complex global organization
Strong understanding of Medical Affairs governance, compliance, risk management, and associated operating models
Demonstrated experience leading organizational transformation, governance enablement, or capability-building initiatives across multiple markets
Strong strategic leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior cross-functional and country stakeholders
Previous people leadership experience, including proven ability to lead, develop, and empower high-performing teams and build effective networks across geographies
Excellent written and spoken English, combined with strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder-management capabilities
Proficiency in additional languages beyond English
Experience driving large-scale Medical Affairs governance transformation or organizational change across international markets
Skills
Artificial Intelligence
Analytics
Benefits
Insurance plans
Retirement plans
Wellbeing resources
Global recognition programs
Flexible working
Hybrid working
Paid parental leave
Performance bonus
Long term equity awards
Salary Range:
€93,800.00 - €174,200.00
Job Description Summary
Location: Barcelona, Spain.
Relocation Support: Yes
Are you ready to shape how International Medical Affairs operates and enable teams to deliver with greater clarity, consistency, and impact?
As Head of International Medical Affairs, Governance Enablement, you will play a critical leadership role in strengthening governance and operational enablement across International Medical Affairs. Reporting to the Head of Medical Affairs Governance & Operations, IMA, you will help translate governance expectations into effective ways of working, partnering across functions and geographies to support the organization in delivering its Medical Affairs priorities. This is an opportunity to combine strategic thinking, operational leadership, and strong stakeholder engagement to simplify complexity, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and enable teams across regions and countries to focus on delivering meaningful impact for patients.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
•
Shape the country governance operating model, strengthening accountability and effective execution across International Medical Affairs.
•
Develop governance resource models that translate country workload, risk, capacity, and capability needs into actionable priorities.
•
Partner with Country and Regional Medical Heads to prioritize governance demand and protect organizational capacity.
•
Ensure continuity in critical governance roles through effective recruitment support, succession planning, onboarding, and transitions.
•
Lead targeted enablement for countries with elevated governance risks, using monitoring, audit, and escalation insights.
•
Build role-based governance learning journeys and capability programs that drive measurable improvement beyond training completion.
•
Develop a connected, high-performing governance network that enables knowledge sharing and cross-country collaboration at scale.
•
Lead country governance transformation by defining future-state operating models, roadmaps, and measures for sustained adoption.
•
Champion responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, analytics, and digital solutions across governance enablement and learning workflows.
•
Lead, develop, and empower the Governance Enablement team while strengthening leadership capability across the wider governance community.
Essential Requirements:
•
Advanced degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or a related field.
•
Minimum 10 years of Medical Affairs, Quality and Compliance experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
•
Proven experience working in international, regional, or above-country Medical Affairs roles within a complex global organization.
•
Strong understanding of Medical Affairs governance, compliance, risk management, and associated operating models.
•
Demonstrated experience leading organizational transformation, governance enablement, or capability-building initiatives across multiple markets.
•
Strong strategic leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior cross-functional and country stakeholders.
•
Previous people leadership experience, including proven ability to lead, develop, and empower high-performing teams and build effective networks across geographies.
•
Excellent written and spoken English, combined with strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder-management capabilities.
Desirable Requirements:
•
Proficiency in additional languages beyond English.
•
Experience driving large-scale Medical Affairs governance transformation or organizational change across international markets.
Benefits
Benefits: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: Novartis Life Handbook
Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 93,800.00 - 174,200.00 EUR
Legal
The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.
The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.
In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Long-term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.
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