Job Description SummaryAbout the Role: Reporting to the Head Vendor Alliances, the VAL Vendor Alliance Lead is responsible for the management of outsourced clinical activities and deliverables of one or more supported External Relationship Management Teams (ERMT).• Working within a matrix environment, the VAL Vendor Alliance Lead is accountable for all operational aspects of 1 or more ERMTs• May manage a team of Vendor Startup Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operation Managers (IOM) including assignment of trial level support, and as a point of escalation in addition to people management responsibilities.• Supplier Service or Equipment expert for the assigned services within the ERMTs to drive value beyond cost from Novartis' external supplier base• Supporting the implementation of the agreed outsourcing program strategies• Responsible for supplier governance, management and issue management/escalation across global GCO and locally and cross-divisionally as required (e.g. Country, NIBR, etc.).• Function as a point of escalation for supplier issues which cannot be resolved at the individual Clinical Trial Teams level• Leverage knowledge, experience and understanding of service category(s) and suppliers to provide support to the operational management within the ERMT(s)• Lead supplier due diligence activities with ERMTJob DescriptionTitle: Vendor Alliance LeadLocation: Dublin, Ireland; Hybrid / London, UK; Homeworker, UK Key Responsibilities:Lead business review meetings with vendors based on KPI, KQI and UVP dashboardsLead and/or support internal cross-functional ERMT meetingsMay lead team of Vendor Startup Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operations Managers (IOM) to support supplier startup activitiesManages escalated global vendor issues, or selected country vendor issuesIdentifies systemic patterns, driving root cause analysis and sustainably and effectively addresses pain pointsUsing technological enablers to drive automated and systematic near-time issue resolutionFunction as category expert providing expertise and training to stakeholdersEnsures compliance with all required SOPs and business guidance documentsProvides Health Authority inspection supportCAPA management from audit & inspectionsDrives value through process improvement and innovation within categoryProactive risk management within categorySupporting global and local vendor qualification if requiredSupports Vendor Start-up Managers (VSM) or Imaging Operations Managers (IOM) in its collaboration with the SSU-teamsEssential Requirements:Advanced degree in science or business with equivalent experience5+ years working experience and excellent knowledge of the clinical operation processes and vendor managementExcellent knowledge of GxP and ICH regulationsExpert knowledge of clinical trial design and mapping to supplier requirementsThorough and technical understanding of Novartis specifications for supplier provided servicesDemonstrated leadership with supplier relationship management and/or expert knowledge of specific service areasDemonstrated partnering across divisions with internal and external stakeholdersDemonstrated root cause analysis, problem solving, and solution generation skillsHistory of successfully working in a cross-functional global team and proven ability to function in matrix structure organizationLeadership to deliver projects according to required and deliverablesExcellent influencing and communication skillsExperience or expertise in one or more of Vendor Management Role accountabilities (e.g. global process ownership, business system owner, SOP & FMR management, global training on supplier related SOPs and processes)Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.Benefits and rewards:Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally:Skills DesiredDrug Development, Global Project Management, Program Development, Program Management, R&D, Team Management