Executive Director, Functional AI and Process Excellence - CE – Remote

Job Description Summary

This position can be based remotely anywhere in the U.S. (there may be some
restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide
relocation as a result. The expectation of working hours and travel domestic and internaltional will be defined by the Hiring Manager.

 

Job Description

The Executive Director of Functional AI and Process Excellence partners closely with a network of peer EDs across Novartis through the AI Functional Working Group. Together, they drive enterprise capability building, accelerate AI adoption, foster cultural transformation, and lead process optimization efforts that align with strategic priorities across the organization.

Reporting to the VP, Customer Engagement Future Readiness, Launch, & Field Operations, this role serves as a thought leader and catalyst for AI adoption, process mapping and optimization, guiding CE in leveraging AI to enhance business performance. By fostering a strong AI culture, implementing best practices, and ensuring alignment with the broader AI strategy, this role will enable Novartis to maximize the value of AI investments.

This role leads the Intelligence & Innovation pillar within the Future Readiness, Launch & Field Operations (FRLFO) function—driving modernization of field technology, commercialization of AI pilots, and redesign of operational processes to future-proof CE execution.  This role is accountable to fully participate and drive functional adoption of enterprise standards, governance and pull-through of AI and Data programing, training and other centrally created use cases, programs and initiatives.

Your Key Responsibilities:

Innovation Strategy & Commercialization

• Lead the incubation and scaling of innovative engagement solutions, including AI agent use cases, pilot programs, and commercialization frameworks 

• Lead efforts in function to embed AI into functional workflows, ensuring AI solutions enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and business impact.

• Translate future-state vision into execution-ready solutions that enhance field productivity, customer engagement, and enterprise impact.

• Sponsor pilots and scenario planning to test and scale new engagement models.

Field Technology & Platform Optimization

• Own field-facing platform integrity, ensuring systems work smarter, faster, and more aligned to field needs 

• Elevate reporting and dashboarding capabilities to enhance insight delivery and decision-making.

• Establish performance objectives for other in functional AI efforts, leads and implement metrics to measure AI’s impact on functional and business goals, ensuring AI value realization is consistently assessed.

Operational Process Redesign

• Lead reengineering of CE business processes to support modern field workflows and tech enablement 

• Ensure seamless integration of innovations into CE systems and field operations.

• Drive process modernization in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.

Enterprise Engagement & Stakeholder Alignment

• Collaborate with senior leaders across CE, IDS, and therapeutic areas to ensure innovation efforts are co-created and adopted.

• Represent Intelligence & Innovation in enterprise forums and cross-functional leadership teams.

• Embed agile feedback loops and customer insights into innovation cycles

Capability & Culture Activation

• Foster a culture of innovation and data-driven decision making within each function to promote knowledge-sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and the scaling of successful AI initiatives.

• Partner with Capability, Change, and Communications teams to support transformation through scalable learning and storytelling.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration and field-first innovation mindset.

Leadership Expectations:

This role includes direct people leadership responsibilities, guiding a high-performing team within CE to deliver on AI and process excellence goals. The Executive Director will be expected to lead with clarity, agility, and influence across a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

• Lead and Develop People:

  • Create focus and clarity by translating strategic objectives into actionable plans for functional areas, including setting clear goals and priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational vision and functional area objectives

  • Empower teams by providing constructive feedback, removing barriers to success, and holding them accountable