Project Management Lead

The Project Management (Engineering) Lead is responsible for steering the full portfolio of major capital investment projects on the Puurs site, ensuring they are delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with business priorities. The role combines strategic leadership, project governance, contractor management, and talent development to secure flawless execution of the site's CAPEX roadmap.

The Project Management (Engineering) Lead is responsible for steering the full portfolio of major capital investment projects on the Puurs site, ensuring they are delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with business priorities. The role combines strategic leadership, project governance, contractor management, and talent development to secure flawless execution of the site's CAPEX roadmap.

Leads the Project Engineering organization to plan, develop, and execute all major capital projects using robust, standardized project management practices aligned with global Novartis standards. The role ensures each project delivers business value in cost, quality, scope, and schedule.

About The Role

Major accountabilities:

• Ensure staffing, capability growth and a strong talent pipeline within project engineering.
• Manage the total project portfolio and capital budget (up to 300 MUSD).
• Define project sourcing strategies and resource planning.
• Set up and lead cross-functional project management teams and drive best-practice sharing across project management and project control disciplines.
• Set up strategic goals and project plans to deliver on the site transformation and masterplan.
• Develop and apply contracting strategies for major projects and oversee contractor execution to ensure safety, quality, and performance.
• Prepare monthly site engineering reports, including CAPEX, Maintenance, HSE, and Quality KPIs.
• Serve as member of the site's Engineering Leadership Team and review engineering change requests.
• Implement technical and global engineering standards (GOPs) and develop local SOPs/templates when required.
• Represent the Puurs site at platform level for CAPEX topics (finance, business cases, engineering).

Essential Requirements

• Engineering degree (BSc/MSc or equivalent).
• +8 years experience in capital portfolio and major project management, including +5 years in pharma.
• Demonstrated solid leadership skills (both internal and external teams).
• Strong technical expertise, project control knowledge and understanding of key business processes (HSE, Quality, HR, finance, strategy).
• Fluent English.

At Novartis, we're committed to reimagining medicine together- and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range: 79.200 - 147.000 EUR.

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with theNovartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives.

• insurance plans
• retirement plans
• wellbeing resources
• global recognition programs
• flexible and hybrid working options, where possible
• minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave

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.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)