Director, Corporate Affairs Academy

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Basel, Switzerland
This role is based in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.
The Director, Corporate Affairs Academy is a critical enterprise leader responsible for shaping, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, the long-term capability strategy for a global Corporate Affairs function. This role defines the expertise, mindsets, and behaviors Corporate Affairs professionals need to lead in a dynamic, stakeholder-driven environment — and builds the systems, experiences, and infrastructure that embed those capabilities across the function.
As the architect and driver of the Corporate Affairs Academy — the flagship program for capability building in Corporate Affairs — this leader transforms learning into a strategic lever for performance, reputation, and talent attraction. Through innovative design, measurable outcomes, and strong cross-functional partnership, the Director ensures Corporate Affairs operates as a world-class function equipped for the future.

 

Job Description

Key responsibilities

• Set the long-term capability strategy for Corporate Affairs, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, identifying the critical expertise, behaviors, and leadership capabilities required for the function to excel in a complex global environment.
• Build and lead the Corporate Affairs Academy as the function’s flagship capability-building program, embedding learning into the operating model and ensuring development accelerates performance, readiness, and functional excellence.
• Develop and scale a portfolio of high-impact learning experiences that strengthen core Corporate Affairs disciplines, embed new capabilities across global teams, and prepare the function for future challenges and opportunities.
• Manage the digital experience, ensuring content is easily accessible and current.
• Establish and track clear success metrics for capability development, using data, assessments, and feedback to measure effectiveness, guide continuous improvement, and demonstrate strategic value to leadership.
• Curate and mobilize internal and external thought leadership to bring cutting-edge best practices into the function and position Corporate Affairs at the forefront of the profession.
• Elevate the visibility and reputation of Corporate Affairs through capability-building initiatives that showcase functional excellence and attract top-tier talent.
• Partner with People & Organization and global stakeholders to align capability-building priorities with enterprise frameworks, ensuring consistency, scalability, and operational impact.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in, Communications, education or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in communications or training, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry, with a deep understanding of Corporate Affairs disciplines (e.g., communications, public affairs, marketing, engagement, issues management, reputation, insights, etc.), sufficient to shape relevant and credible development experiences
• Demonstrated experience setting and owning a long‑term capability strategy for a complex, global function, with clear linkage to business performance and reputation outcomes
• Proven ability to define critical expertise, mindsets, and behaviors required for future success and translate them into scalable learning systems and experiences
• Strong track record designing, building and implementing an enterprise capability program paired with the experience establishing success metrics and impact measurement for learning and capability initiatives
• Expertise in modern learning design, especially with a digital ecosystem
• Ability to partner effectively with senior Corporate Affairs leaders and subject‑matter experts to co‑create content and serve as faculty or champions
• Experience leveraging AI tools within a Corporate Affairs function, as well as applying AI‑enabled learning technologies to design and continuously improve the learner experience

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation:

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message. 

 

Skills Desired