Novartis Posted September 3, 2026

Translational Medicine Director/Associate*- Cardiovascular & Metabolic

Basel (City), Switzerland FULL_TIME
Clinical Development Cardiovascular / CVRM Director
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About this opportunity

Novartis BioMedical Research (BR) is the innovation engine of Novartis that collaborates across the company and beyond, focusing on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients. Translational Medicine (TM) is the clinical research arm of Novartis BR, and includes about 900 associates globally. TM plays a pivotal role in bringing innovative medicines to patients, by building on research advances to develop new therapies, and bridging drug discovery and clinical application.The TM Discovery & Profiling (TMDP) is a group of physicians and clinical researchers who drive innovative science from discovery to the patient through the selection, profiling, and effective development of medicines. Translational medicine experts oversee Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials to demonstrate proof-of-mechanism and proof-of-concept (PoC) in patients, as well as support for later Phase 3 development. Translational medicine experts are key and highly visible members of global cross-functional project teams that design and implement early research and discovery projects, that then culminate in clinical PoC studies. Translational medicine experts collaborate with colleagues in biology and chemistry to identify targets in diseases with significant unmet medical needs and provide input on likely clinical development pathways. The early clinical trials led by our translational medicine experts are among the most critical steps in drug development at Novartis. After PoC and if the program proceeds to full development, the translational medicine expert continues as a key member of the full development team up to and including registration.As a Cardiovascular Metabolism (CVM) TM Expert, you will collaborate with the CVM TM Head or other experienced TM Experts to develop high value decision-strategies for the Translational Medicine component of drug development projects and to lead global cross-functional project teams through the PoC phase and beyond.

# LI- hybridTME Director Cardiovascular MetabolismOversees the planning, execution, and interpretation of clinical trials research, data collection activities and clinical operations, serving a leadership role in the matrixed trial team. Establishes and approves scientific methods for design and implementation of clinical protocols, data collection systems and final reports. Support new and ongoing clinical research and clinical trials and ensure efficient and timely processing of confidentiality agreements and clinical agreementsKey Responsibilities: Lead global project teams through PoC phase to drive implementation of the PoC strategy; participate in project teams through program life cycle from NTRC to registrationResponsible for clinical portions of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) through PoC.Acts as medical monitor for one or more clinical studies.Communicate clinical team matters to project teams and relevant decision boards (such as the Disease Area Decision Board).Convene relevant (internal and external) leaders to consider proposed approach to PoC.Evaluate clinical centers and foster communication with crucial collaborating investigators.Oversee publication and external presentation of PoC clinical study results.Accountable for compound related biomarker strategies; work closely with biomarker experts in implementation.In collaboration with research scientists identify, develop and implement strategy for preclinical support of program related objectives; this includes assessment of medical need, proposal of clinical development pathways, and review of preclinical data for clinical implications and other relevant activitiesParticipate in team presentations to Health Authorities as TM ExpertEssential Requirements: Doctoral degree, MD required with clinical subspecialty training preferred in cardiovascular disease or endocrinology/metabolic disease; Additional PhD/post-doctoral equivalent research preferred.At least 1-2 years’ experience in a pharmaceutical/biotech company, CRO, or academic medical center, or related experience; 5 plus years to be considered for Director level.Recognized for medical expertise.Recognized for scientific expertise and passion for science: respected by colleagues internally and externally, having made significant contributions to the field and created / established new concepts; record of high quality publications in international scientific journals.Excellent written and oral communication/presentation skills.Independence: Able to work independently on study planning and execution, and with supervision on project planning.Leadership of Collaborations: Able to lead multidisciplinary teams in a matrix organization.Innovation: Seeks out new clinical discovery opportunities and PoC approaches.Additional consideration for candidates with advanced research experience in data science, genetics/genomics, artificial intelligence applied to clinical research, or digital/wearable health science.Fluent oral and written English**This is a dual level posting. The final level & title of the offer role would be determined by the hiring team based on the skills, experience & capabilities required to perform the role at the level the role has been offered.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.   Associate Director: 122,500.00 - 175,000.00 - 227,500.00 CHF AnnualDirector: 150,500.00 - 215,000.00 - 279,500.00 CHF AnnualIn 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.Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.   Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering:   https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf   Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Job details

Seniority
Director
Function
Clinical Development
Therapeutic area
Cardiovascular / CVRM
Location
Basel (City), Switzerland
Employment type
FULL_TIME

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Clinical Development role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 346 comparable Director Clinical Development roles across 58 biopharma companies.

346Comparable roles tracked
314Currently active
58Companies hiring similar roles
18Countries represented

Salary context

176 of 346 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject Not listed on this posting
Peer group range $0 – $392,100 (median $263,000)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 346 comparable roles

United States276
United Kingdom24
Switzerland8
India8
Spain6
China4

+ 12 more countries

Seniority mix

346 of 346 peers have a known seniority level

Director250
Senior Director55
Principal41

Therapeutic area mix

102 of 346 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

Oncology58
Immunology11
Neuroscience10
Cardiovascular / CVRM7
Respiratory6
Vaccines & Infectious Disease3
Dermatology & Aesthetics3
Rare Disease2
Ophthalmology2

Similar opportunities

The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.

85%similar
E.R. Squibb & Sons,L.L.C. Cambridge Crossing, United States Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Same seniority
85%similar
Amgen Inc. Remote, United States Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Same seniority
85%similar
Merck Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Same seniority
85%similar
Amgen Inc. Remote, United States Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Same seniority
85%similar
AstraZeneca Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Same seniority
75%similar
Merck Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America Senior Director
Same function Same therapeutic area Adjacent seniority

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How we calculate "similar"

No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.

Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

85%
Director, Global Clinical Physician (Cardiovascular)
E.R. Squibb & Sons,L.L.C. · Cambridge Crossing, United States · Director
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
85%
Clinical Development Medical Director, Obesity/Cardiovascular
Amgen Inc. · Remote, United States · Director
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
60%
Medical Director, Oncology Clinical Development - GU
GlaxoSmithKline AG · Zug, Switzerland · Director
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
60%
Director, Clinical Development
Neurocrine Switzerland GmbH · CH Allschwil, Switzerland · Director
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
Unmatched or unknown dimensions score exactly the same: 0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.