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Director, Internal Audit, TechOps

On-site in Barcelona·Full-time·Added 5 days ago (last checked 26 Oct)

Novartis

38 open roles

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Our summary

Salary: €70,100 - €130,300 a year
About €3,960 - €6,720 a month after tax, or €4,120 - €7,930 under the Beckham regime.
Work mode: On-site, Barcelona
Contract: Full-time
English: Required
Experience: Senior level
Education: University degree

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The ad doesn’t mention sponsorship
Not a refusal, but not a yes. Worth asking in your first message.
Pay clears the EU Blue Card threshold
The advertised pay is over the €41,356 bar, so the route exists if Novartis uses it.

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Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

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

Nice to have

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

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

€70,100.00 - €130,300.00

The role

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.

What you'll do

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%.

Skills Desired

Building High Performance Team, Compliance And Controls (Inactive), Critical Thinking, E2E Process View (Inactive), Effective Communications (Inactive), Financial Accounting, Financial And Management Reporting (Inactive), People Development, Problem Solving, Process Optimization

About Novartis

Novartis is a global healthcare company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, operating across the pharmaceutical, generics, biosimilars, and eye care sectors. With over 100,000 employees worldwide and a presence in more than 140 countries, it is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, known for innovative medicines in areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular health.

In Spain, Novartis has a significant presence with offices in Barcelona and Madrid, employing a diverse workforce across clinical development, data science, IT, and audit functions. The company is a major employer of international talent, offering roles in English and fostering a multicultural, science-driven environment. For international professionals, Novartis provides structured career paths in clinical research and development, with opportunities to work on global projects from its Spanish hubs.

Industry: Pharma
Founded: 1796
Employees: 100,000–200,000
Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
In Spain: Barcelona, Madrid

Good to know if you are moving

Novartis operates in English as its corporate language, making it accessible for international professionals without local language requirements.
The Barcelona office hosts a large hub for clinical development and global functions, offering roles in data science, clinical programming, and medical affairs.
Spain is a key market for Novartis, with a strong pipeline of clinical trials and digital health initiatives.
The company offers structured career paths and global mobility programs, allowing employees to move between countries and functions.
Novartis provides a comprehensive relocation package for international hires, including visa support and settling-in assistance.

In their own words

Additional information

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

All open roles at Novartis