Project director

We are looking for a hands-on Project Director to establish and lead a new radioligand manufacturing facility located in Huningue (France). This role is ideal for an expert in operations of sites or production units who can scale a compact operation, lead capital projects, and build an organization from the ground up. You will own facility performance across Safety, Supply, Cost, Quality, and People, translating enterprise and country strategies into actionable plans and delivering results.

The Project Director is also responsible for leading a new state of the art manufacturing facility in achieving all objectives in key areas such as Safety, Supply, Cost, Quality, and People for a GMP Radioligand Therapies Production Site. The leader is responsible to translate Novartis Manufacturing and Supply and Country strategies into actionable action plans, ensuring the facility has adequate resources and capabilities to ensure CGMP compliance, quality, service to patients, and people development.

Travel up to 30% is expected.

Deadline for applications: 4th of November 2025.

Major Accountabilities:

* Direct and manage Production, HSE (Safety), Engineering, Supply Chain and Manufacturing Science & Technology activities.
* Lead the facility leadership team comprised of team heads from each function, monitoring team performance to company goals and objectives through use of established metrics, driving cross-site collaboration within their respective functions.
* Ensure the facility, people, operations, and processes are compliant with cGMP, safety rules and other applicable regulations
* Coordinate facility activities through planning to ensure the overall manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
* Collaborate with other Site Heads to determine processes and procedures, which can be used across sites and where variances are needed to meet the unique needs of the site.
* Develop and communicate the facility strategic plan to achieve company short-term and long-term objectives.
* Provide leadership to facility employees including appropriate direction, mentoring and development opportunities. Maintain a positive work environment that supports positive team relations and teamwork.
* Plan and lead facility meetings to ensure compliance with site policies, safety regulations, procedures, and processes. Also ensures compliance with company policies and provides a forum for questions and discussion about impact to the site of company initiatives.
* Investment projects and project management from construction to product launch.

Obligatory requirements:

* Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field, or equivalent experience.
* 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry with 3–4 years at site leadership team (SLT) level.
* Proven experience in sterile manufacturing operations within small facilities or large production units; track record of hands-on leadership.
* Strong project management background with successful delivery of large capital (CapEx) projects.
* Demonstrated stakeholder management and leadership in a matrix environment, effective partnership with MU Head and senior leaders.
* Experience working with unions and managing sensitive workforce matters.
* Financial acumen (budgeting, CapEx/OpEx, business cases, ROI) and solid understanding of Quality systems and cGMP for sterile operations.
* Excellent communication skills: ability to inspire teams and align diverse stakeholders.
* Language: English is a must, French language required (fluency; native not required).

You’ll receive:

* Annual bonus
* Focus on career development
* Quality of Work Life approach allowing you to propose improvements for your daily life
* Emphasis on work-life balance with arrangements such as telecommuting, reduced annual working hours, or parental leave
* Advanced social coverage for you and your loved ones
* 27 paid vacation days and at least 14 JDR (days off) days per year
* Various employee recognition programs

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.