Clinical Development Medical Director Ophthalmology

Clinical Development Medical Director Ophthalmology

38 Million! 38 million Americans over age 40 currently have low vision, an age-related eye disease, or are blind—this is expected to increase to 50 million by 2020. At Novartis, we strive to develop therapies that will halt - or even reverse – the ocular damage and degeneration that eventually leads to blindness. Be part of a team that brings life changing medicine to patients affected by eye disease. The Clinical Development Medical Director Ophthalmology will provide medical leadership and expertise to ophthalmology clinical trials executed in US.

Novartis is currently recruiting for a Clinical Development Medical Director Ophthalmology to provide medical affairs, clinical drug development and strategic, cross-functional leadership to effectively shape, influence, develop and drive strategies and medical plans that ensure maximal regulatory, reimbursement and commercial success of early development compounds (proof of concept – Phase 3b) in the US. This position will be located in East Hanover, NJ and will be filled at a level commensurate with experience.

A global healthcare leader, Novartis has one of the most exciting product pipelines in the industry today. It is a pipeline of innovative medicines brought to life by diverse, talented, performance driven people. All of this makes us one of the most rewarding employers in our field. We're committed to peak performance, improving the quality of life, and embracing and leveraging diverse backgrounds, cultures and talents to achieve competitive advantage. 

The Clinical Development Medical Director Ophthalmology will partner proactively and effectively with leaders across commercial, US Medical Affairs, global (Clinical development, Global Medical Affairs, and Global Clinical and Brand Teams) and Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), leveraging strong technical/medical expertise, business/market acumen and a comprehensive understanding of business strategy, to develop strategies and medical plans that ensure maximal regulatory, reimbursement and commercial success of compounds in the US. 

Additional responsibilities include the following: 
• Provide strategic US Medical input to Global Development on clinical development programs (Phase POC-Phase 3b)
• Partner with global and US clinical, medical and commercial teams to ensure that registration programs are rigorous and that outputs meet specific US needs
• Ensure program strategy, value story and value proposition are evidence-based and consistent with US treatment practices
• Lead the generation of early development strategies and tactical plans that support US commercial, reimbursement and regulatory success
• Provide scientifically and clinically sound guidance for BD&L evaluations
• Identify gaps in registration programs and lead the design and execution of Phase 3b studies to address US-specific gaps
• Develop and enhance relationships with diverse external stakeholders through congress participation and leadership of scientific/medical exchanges
• Rapidly develop/enhance credibility with NIBR with a focus on enhancing LPT understanding of pipeline
• Manage work across a matrix organization and influence without authority
• Ensure customer perspective is fully integrated into all LPT deliverables
• Brief all levels of management on key topics and leverage their support for LPT success

Minimum Requirements

Position will be filled at a level commensurate with experience.
• MD, DO, PhD, or PharmD required.
• Minimum of 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience required in the areas of Medical Affairs and/or Clinical Development
• Experience with the Ophthalmology therapeutic area is a plus
• Proven ability to build and lead highly productive cross-functional relationships and teams internally and externally within a matrixed and resource-constrained environment
• Proven ability to translate science/clinical/medical information to non-medical colleagues and customers
• Project management expertise with recent experience leading large projects/organizations
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize across competing agendas while managing stakeholders’ needs
• Proven track record of being an effective, open, available and transparent communicator
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to travel (U.S. and Europe; 15-25% annually).

Strongly Desired:
• Documented experience in designing and leading operational execution of clinical trials 
• Firm working knowledge of GCP, scientific and clinical method-ology, protocol design, project management and regulatory requirements for clinical studies designated for review by regulatory authorities
• U.S. marketing experience, to include a well-documented history of bridging proactive relationships among product development, preclinical science, clinical development and market access, and brand teams
• A well-established network within the medical research community
• Advanced understanding of US reimbursement landscape

Why Consider Novartis:
927 million. That’s how many lives our products touched in 2017. And while we’re proud of that, in this world of digital and technological transformation, we must also ask ourselves this: how can we continue to improve and extend even more people’s lives? 

We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous and collaborative people like you are empowered to ask new questions, make bolder decisions and take smarter risks. 

We are Novartis. Join us and help reimagine medicine.