Head of Neuromuscular Diseases, Translational Medicine

Job Description Summary

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Internal job title: Executive Director

Location: San Diego, California USA

As the Head of Neuromuscular Diseases within Translational Medicine, you will serve as a senior scientific and strategic leader responsible for shaping and delivering the translational strategy for neuromuscular and neurogenetic therapeutic programs. You will provide expert guidance bridging research, early clinical development, and biomarker/experimental medicine innovation to advance assets from discovery through proof‑of‑concept and into full development.

In addition, you will lead or integrate global, cross‑functional teams to design, implement, and execute cutting‑edge translational strategies, and act as an influential thought partner in neuromuscular disease biology, clinical development, and emerging therapeutic modalities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Scientific Direction

• Define and oversee the long‑term translational strategy for the Neuromuscular Pillar, ensuring scientific excellence and alignment with broader BR and TM organizational priorities.
• Serve as a senior advisor and thought leader within neuromuscular disorders, leveraging deep specialty expertise to inform program design, biomarker strategy, and patient‑relevant endpoints.

Program & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead global translational teams across Phase I–IIa (“Discovery” through TDP), driving implementation of high‑quality development strategies in single or multiple neuromuscular indications.
• Represent TM on global program teams (GPT) and decision boards, ensuring that neuromuscular programs meet quality, regulatory, and differentiation objectives.

Translational & Clinical Development Excellence

• Lead the design and execution of First‑in‑Human (FIH) and Phase IIa studies, working collaboratively with clinical, regulatory, biomarker, and profiling partners.
• Leads the creation of clinical components of key documents e.g., clinical trial protocols, investigator’s brochures, clinical study reports, regulatory documents, etc. with high levels of quality and consistency.

Leadership of People, Culture, and Matrix Teams

• Serve as a culture champion, promoting empowerment, innovation, and collaboration across TM and broader BR organizations.
• Mentor and develop scientific talent across translational and clinical functions.

External Impact & Partnerships

• Lead interactions with external stakeholders (e.g., regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, data monitoring committees, advisory boards, etc.) and internal NVS stakeholders.
• Contribute to opportunity assessments and due diligence for neuromuscular and adjacent therapeutic areas.

Governance, Compliance & Documentation

Essential Requirements

• MD and PhD required with clinical subspecialty training in neurological diseases with deep expertise in neuromuscular disorders and gene therapies.
• A minimum of 10–15 years of extensive experience in translational medicine, early clinical development, or experimental therapeutics.
• Demonstrated success leading complex global programs and cross‑functional scientific teams.
• Proven ability to shape development strategies, execute early clinical studies, and influence regulatory packages supporting differentiation.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical/biotech company strongly preferred.

Desirable Requirements

• Direct people management experience.

Salary Range

$288,400.00 – $535,600.00

Skills Desired

• Clinical Decision Making
• Clinical Research
• Clinical Trials
• Disease Area Knowledge
• Drug Development
• Leadership
• People Management
• Risk Management
• Strategy Development

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to or call +1(877)395‑2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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