Director, Internal Audit, TechOps

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Barcelona, Spain
You will play a pivotal role in safeguarding and strengthening Novartis’ Technical Operations by providing independent, strategic assurance across manufacturing and supply. As Director, Internal Audit, TechOps, you will lead complex, high‑impact audit and advisory engagements that shape how risks are identified, mitigated, and managed across end‑to‑end operations. Partnering closely with senior and executive stakeholders, you will bring deep operational insight, sound judgment, and a forward‑looking mindset to influence better outcomes, advance audit innovation, and help ensure we continue to deliver quality medicines to patients worldwide.

 

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

• Oversee and provide overall direction for complex, risk‑based audit and advisory engagements across manufacturing and supply operations

• Ensure audit scopes address end‑to‑end Technical Operations risks, including quality, compliance, technology, and third‑party models

• Support audit planning and audit program development by identifying key Manufacturing & Supply risks and acting as a technical reference to ensure audit coverage remains risk‑based, relevant, and aligned to business priorities

• Review audit findings and reports to ensure technical accuracy, clarity, and evidence‑based conclusions

• Drive pragmatic, value‑adding recommendations that strengthen controls and enable measurable operational improvement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, maintaining independence while fostering constructive, credible partnerships

• Provide direct line management to Senior Managers, setting clear strategic direction, overseeing performance and development, and ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery of risk‑focused audit and advisory engagements across Technical Operations

• Coach and develop auditors through hands‑on guidance, feedback, and knowledge‑sharing in Manufacturing and Supply

• Advance digital, data‑driven, and artificial intelligence‑enabled audit practices in collaboration with enablement teams

Please be advised that this role has a global travel requirement circa 25%.

Essential Requirements:

• Degree in technical or scientific discipline related to manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or production planning

• Substantial experience within internal audit functions in highly regulated industries, preferably pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices

• Strong practical knowledge of end-to-end processes in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, quality systems, and external manufacturing models

• Proven experience leading audit and advisory engagements, managing senior stakeholders, and delivering high‑impact outcomes

• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical regulations and standards, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Distribution Practice (GDP), and global health authority requirements such as FDA, EMA, and other international regulatory bodies

• Demonstrated ability to operate in complex environments, influence senior leaders, and communicate audit conclusions with confidence and tact

• Strong people management experience, with a track record of leading, developing, and motivating high‑performing teams.

• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required; additional languages are an advantage

Desirable Requirements:

• Professional internal audit or supply chain certification, such as Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Supply Chain Professional

• Experience applying data analytics or artificial intelligence‑enabled tools within internal audit or regulated operating environments

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.

 

Skills Desired

Building Effective Teams, Compliance And Controls, Critical Thinking, E2E Process View, Effective Communications, Financial Accounting, Financial And Management Reporting, People Development, Process Optimization, Rapid Problem Solving