Director of Site Operations and External Partner Management

Director, Site Operations and External Partner Management Job Description Summary The Director, Site Operational Excellence & External Partner Management leads the integration of Operational Excellence, Site and Global Operations, and global External Partner Management (EPM) to deliver high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective solutions across internal and external networks. This role drives site productivity and site and global operations, externalization strategy, and partnership governance, ensuring alignment with ARD/TRD global priorities, regulatory standards, and portfolio delivery objectives. Job Description Key Accountabilities Operational Excellence & Site Performance Define and execute site OpEx strategy aligned with ARD/TRD global objectives Drive continuous improvement (Lean, data analytics, digital enablement) to enhance productivity and reduce cycle times Establish performance management systems (KPIs, dashboards, governance reviews) Technical Operations Leadership Provide strategic oversight of technical operations, analytical infrastructure, and service delivery (including instruments, samples, engineering, procurement, shipment) Ensure lifecycle management, reliability, and scalability of analytical capabilities Build sustainable technical capabilities and future-ready operations External Partner Management (EPM) & Network Strategy Lead ARD externalization strategy, including partner selection, onboarding, and governance Drive performance management of external partners through structured reviews and KPIs Ensure seamless integration of external partners into project delivery frameworks Optimize global partner network for cost, quality, and speed Quality, Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with GMP, CFR 21, and Novartis quality standards across internal and external operations Accountable for QMS, audits, deviations, and inspection readiness Lead risk management for external partners and operational processes Financial Stewardship & Value Delivery Accountable for site Capex/Opex and external spend optimization Drive value creation through strategic sourcing and make‑vs‑buy decisions Enable cost competitiveness while maintaining quality and timelines Leadership & Organizational Impact Lead and develop high-performing teams across operations and EPM Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Act as a key member of Global ARD LT Influence global stakeholders and drive enterprise-wide alignment Minimum Requirement Advanced degree (PhD / MSc) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related field 18 - 20 years of extensive experience in R&D / Technical Operations with strategic mindset Proven leadership in Operational Excellence and continuous improvement Significant experience managing external partners (CMOs/CROs) Strong understanding of GMP/QMS and regulatory frameworks Demonstrated success in leading global, cross-functional teams Experience in managing lab operations setup. Skills Desired Budget Management, Coaching Skills (Inactive), Data Science, Experiments Design (Inactive), Laboratory (Inactive), People Management, Problem Solving Skills (Inactive), Process Simulation, R&D (Inactive), Waterfall Model Experience Level Executive Level