associate director

senior scientist

principal scientist

director

research scientist

Novartis

With 12 years of industry experience and 3 years at Novartis, I can confidently say that this company stands out for its commitment to innovation and collaboration. Novartis offers a dynamic environment where employees are encouraged to push boundaries, and the leadership is deeply invested in our growth and well-being.

Pros:

Cutting-edge innovation: Novartis is at the forefront of pharmaceutical R&D, always pushing for advancements that truly make a difference in patients' lives. Being part of this mission is fulfilling and inspiring.

Collaborative culture: Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration are highly emphasized here. This has allowed me to build strong relationships across various departments, which enriches the work experience and leads to more successful outcomes.

Work-life balance: Novartis offers flexibility that promotes a healthy work-life balance, with options for remote work and support for personal development. This balance is crucial for someone like me, juggling both professional and personal responsibilities.

Career development: With numerous learning and development programs, I’ve been able to continuously upgrade my skills. Internal mobility is encouraged, and there are clear paths for career growth for those who seek it.

Diversity and inclusion: Novartis has a strong commitment to creating an inclusive environment, with many initiatives supporting diversity across gender, ethnicity, and regional representation. This diversity is reflected not only in the workforce but also in the perspectives that shape our projects.

Cons:

Large organization complexity: Given the size of Novartis, navigating internal processes can sometimes be challenging. It may take time to get decisions approved, which can slow down certain projects.

Fast-paced environment: While the fast pace can be exhilarating, it sometimes feels demanding, especially when juggling multiple priorities. However, the company does provide plenty of resources to help manage workloads and avoid burnout.

Overall:

In my 3 years at Novartis, I’ve experienced tremendous growth and have been proud to contribute to projects that truly impact global health. Novartis is a fantastic place for anyone looking to be part of a purpose-driven organization that values innovation, collaboration, and its people. It’s a company where you can make a difference and build a long-term, fulfilling career.

A Typical Day at Work
A typical day at Novartis involves partnering directly with production sites to tackle some of their most complex operational challenges. This hands-on engagement with real problems is genuinely stimulating and by far the most rewarding part of the role.

What I Learned
The environment exposes you to cutting-edge pharmaceutical operations and fast-evolving business priorities. You learn to navigate high-stakes decision-making, adapt quickly, and develop a strong technical and strategic problem-solving mindset.

Management
Middle management is the weakest aspect of the organization. The culture at this level tends to be deeply perfectionistic and highly micromanaged, with behaviors that can feel undermining or even gas-lighting. Trust can be difficult to establish, and if you’re not careful, the environment can gradually erode your confidence.

Workplace Culture
The work culture leans heavily corporate—full of buzzwords, overly polished messaging, and PowerPoint-driven communication. While some may appreciate the structure, others may find it insincere or overly scripted. Additionally, there is effectively no work-life balance; being reachable on days off, during vacations, and in the evenings is often treated as an expectation rather than an exception.

Hardest Part of the Job
Navigating the toxic elements of middle management, the blurred boundaries between work and personal time, and the volatility that comes with the company’s full pivot to innovative medicines can be especially challenging. The pace is intense, and the sense of organizational instability is real—you’re never more than a couple of bad quarters away from major disruption.

Most Enjoyable Part of the Job
Despite the challenges, the opportunity to work directly on meaningful, high-impact problems at production sites is truly fulfilling. Solving complex issues that directly influence patient access and product quality is the part of the job that makes the experience worthwhile.

I worked at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) in Cambridge, MA as a PhD-level scientist for over five years.

I was impressed by the quality of the scientists and the innovative, well-structured, drug discovery process (from early-phase/exploratory to clinical proof-of-concept and safety studies in humans). I was also very impressed with the collaborative work-flow and the ability to start a project from scratch and test molecules in animals for mechanism of action and/or proof-of-concept within a relatively short period of time (like 4-6 months). I was impressed with the cutting-edge technology available, the freedom to operate with purchasing the necessary reagents, tools, and equipment to maximize efficiency, and the quality of many of the external CROs.

The biggest thing I learned was how to navigate research in a large, multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment. Workplace culture was highly variable and pretty much 100% dependent on the department head and departmental management (Directors, Unit Heads, etc). The culture was improving in my department prior to my departure.... There was more emphasis on employee happiness, growth, support, and inclusion.

The thing I disliked the most were, 1) Beginning-of-year objective setting (because priorities and objectives changed weekly and it seemed like a-bit too much misplaced effort), 2) Mid-year and end-year evaluations and promotions (process was non-transparent and confusing, meetings were often hostile, decisions were sometimes arbitrary or biased, and from the perspective of somebody in the lab, often incorrect), 3) Lack of appreciation for good scientists that were also good managers/mentors/teachers and real team-players.

I loved being part of a hard-working, collaborative, intelligent team. I also really liked helping teach others the things that I knew well. I also liked problem solving, taking risks, and working through challenges... being uniquely proficient in a skill to help overcome a project bottleneck was awesome! It was great to be able to do good science (as a team leader) or provide a good reagent/assay (for project support) and to be appreciated and respected for that, yes, most definitely.

Novartis is a wonderful place to work and it is a company that encourage their employees to move up to the next level in their careers. They provide tuition reimbursement, on site classes, seminars, workshops, health fairs, competitive sports where employees from different dept compete against each other . If you want to know more about the products, patents or drug launches, Novartis will make arrangements for someone from that area to do a presentation so we will understand how it works. Novartis encourage their employees to get involve with projects outside of their normal skill set. They are very community focus. The most enjoyable part of the job was traveling to other Novartis companies like when the contracting department went to Atlantic to help Novartis Opthalmic division close their facility. It truly was a wonderful experience. Also, on site visits to our trading partners businesses were great..the forcast of both companies led to a better understanding of the pro and con we all struggled with when issuing credits and how the process of one company can impact the other. During those visits we learned how to transistion our claim better with positive results. The hardest part of my job was trying to get the wholesalers to pay back deductions taken on a claim. My co-workers were like my family we got along very well and learned to work together for a common goal and that was positive results. Novartis is a fair company and was voted as one of the best companies to work for according to Women's magazine. A typical date at Novartis was great,,,I had my accounts, I knew my customers, I recognized trends with disputes and I did my job well. I miss working at Novartis,,,It is one of the best places to work.
If they ever want me to come back to work for them...I am ready and will go with my head held high..
Novartis also have affinity groups the company encourage all employees to get involved. I loved working there and I hope to someday work there again!!

1) On a typical day what I did was answer the telephone and take messages. I also entered contracts into the company's database in order to keep track of all the records and I helped maintain the physical copies of all the contracts in the file room. Another task I was responsible for during most days were help index boxes with files that needed to be sent offsite for offsite storage. I also helped make copies of documents whenever necessary. I also helped put together binders, packages, and various handouts upcoming meetings and or cases (whenever necessary)

2) During my time at this job I learned many things, the first and the most important thing I learned was how be a more responsible person in terms of being able to manage my time wisely in order to meet deadlines for the various projects assigned to me. the second thing learned was how to properly keep track of important records. I also learned how to use new database systems that I was not aware of prior to being hired for the job. I learned how to use database system called E-Counsel/Data Cert.

3) Management was pretty good. I like how smoothly the department ran. There's not much I can complain about. 

4) My co-workers the people were extremely nice and friendly. They took care of one another as if they were one great big family. I can definitely say that they took care of me during the time I worked with them/for them. Everyone was always willing to lend a helping hand.

5) I can't think of a single thing that I found to be the most difficult part of the job. Everything was pretty straight forward or fairly easy once someone explained to me what I needed to do.

6) The most enjoyable part of the job was simply being around all of my co-workers. It's very rare for an employee to find a job that they truly enjoy and as well the people they work with. I'm glad I had the opportunity to work for this company because I gained a lot of knowledge through my experience here and also gained life long friendships with many of my co-workers.

-          Develop annual strategic marketing/operational plan outlining key activities and marketing programs to address the Critical Success Factors and implement approved strategies within agreed budgets. 

-          Ensure plans/strategies accommodate the changes taking place in the market and respond to customer need. 

-          Produce short to medium term market share/growth grids for individual products 

-          Implement the tactical plan in line with corporate strategic product objectives. 

-          Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key customers to support current and future objectives. 

-          Monitor the product’s perceived functional performance and adjust plans accordingly.              

-          Communicate effectively within the organization to ensure the motivation and alignment of sales force and other key people in the achievement of product objectives. 

-          Be consider 'The Product Leader' by developing and continuously updating knowledge of therapy, product and market. 

-          Be responsible for developing/adapting promotional material for the local market. 

-          Anticipate current & future trends in disease management and market environment which are likely to affect the performance and potential of the product including Competitor activity 

-          Work with Latin America Marketing teams to ensure appropriate communication, alignment and extensive utilization of available resources and expertise 

-          Work with Supply Chain leaders to ensure Produce sales/production forecasts and monitor progress. 

-          Monitor and take corrective action for major deviations on plans, strategies, budget management and efficient use of resources. 

-          Effectively segment key markets and recommend positioning tactics. 

-          Implement strategies to maximize pricing and product mix opportunities 

-          Encourage cross-functional input to the planning process 

-          Conduct relevant market research for the product /therapy area and the market/customer base.

Issued Manufacturing and Packaging tickets to the floor, updated Master Manufacturing Orders, back up for Policies and Procedures, filed completed orders, pulled orders/tickets for customers, responsible for 10 temporaries while they worked on a project required by management with results for the FDA. I learned different aspects of a pharmaceutical company. I worked in Packaging, Manufacturing, Manager Trainee for the floor, learned the cycle of documentation for the plant to meet schedule deadlines, and learned different aspects of the quality assurance of the company. Management appeared to turn a blind eye to concerns going on in the plant. Their concern was to get product out the door as fast as possible. There was alot of favortism in promotions, etc. not necessarily the person's skill level but, how well the person got along with the management. The department I worked in had an excellent group of people. They were very hard working, helped each other, great ideas, willing to go the extra mile, and got along really well for the most part. The hardest part of my job was when I had a boss that didn't support me due to people I was friends with. The expectations at the time were not realistic. The most enjoyable part of my job was all of the skills I learned on the computer, my coworkers and other friendships I developed there.

Yes, the PIP.  What is a PIP, you ask?  Well, I had the same question when a bunch of us were given them.  Performance Improvement Plan.  You get a raise and great score on your performance review then less than 3 months later you get a PIP without any warning from your manager!  I bet you don't believe me while you're reading this and I would have thought the same thing but yet it happened.

They put you on the PIP, give you 15 pages of things you need to do that the other employees aren't required to do and then they set you up to be fired in 30-60 days if you don't meet it.  Now you really think I'm lying but trust me, I'm not.  I know you think they couldn't require you to do anything that other employees don't have to do...but you're wrong.  I'll wait while you google it because you can't believe that.  I know because I didn't either.  I even got legal advice.  Turns out they can do whatever they want to because your employment is at-will.  

Interestingly enough, if you do some research they are known to use this PIP tactic about 6-12 months before they go through a major downsizing and lay-off and in this case they decided to use contract nurses instead of their own team.  The Nurse Educators (Patient Services Liaisons then changed to Patient Services Consultants) were laid off June 2018.  PIPs started in April of 2017 and I hear ran until early 2018...I'm just saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....It is usually a duck!

Excellent company to work for, I am leaving only due to relocation of my family from NJ to Indiana.

I have worked with some of the most talented and gifted professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.  This company truly cares about putting the patient first and about helping the quality of life of those with medical conditions requiring medication.  In the Oncology Business Unit where I am working, the desire of the professionals with whom I work to help patients living with cancer have a better quality of life or to extend their lives as much as possible is awe inspiring.  A truly excellent employment experience.

My managers have always been fully supportive of any ideas or suggestions, they take in to account all aspects of solving problems or making work easier, and not 'reinventing the wheel'.  Innovative and creative is a great way to describe the culture.

Working in Human Resources, I believe the hardest part of the job I experience is when someone leaves the company involuntarily.  I know they have families and people who depend on them and it does  cause some uneasiness but I know it's the right thing for the company and we do everything we can to help them find a new job.

I have learned to always bring my "A" game to my job, people depend on me to be my best and bring my best.  One never knows what will happen on any given day, so being prepared for every possibility is the best option.

A typical day at Novartis involved direct sales promoting pharmaceutical products for a variety of disease states that included Hypertension/Heart Failure, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's Disease.

In addition to Internal Medicine and Primary Care physicians, the drugs I sold required calling heavily upon specialists that included Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Nephrologists, Neurologists, Gastroenterologists and Rheumatologists.

At Novartis I learned the value of teamwork and working together with counterparts overlapping in the same territory with some of the same physicians.  

However, in some instances this could also be the most challenging part of the job.  Novartis was unique in that at one time the sales force promoted three antihypertensive drugs simultaneously, which in some instances created some confusion in the minds of the physicians as to which antihypertensive they should prescribe despite our laser focus on explaining how each drug was a different class and for a different type of hypertensive patient.

The most enjoyable part of my job was promoting market-leading drugs like Diovan for hypertension and Zelnorm for Irritable Bowel Disease and calling upon the wide range of specialists listed above in the second paragraph.  In addition, I enjoyed working for an industry-leading company whose representatives were consistently ranked as some of the most beneficial in the industry in yearly polls of physicians.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Associate director 8 salaries reported	$204,250 per year
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Research scientist 3 salaries reported	$88,000 per year

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