Director, Internal Audit, TechOps
At a glance
Director-level Audit & Controls role at Novartis. Barcelona Gran Vía · full-time · €70,100–€130,300 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Direct complex audits and advisory work across manufacturing and supply, focused on operational risks
- Set audit coverage for end-to-end operations, including quality, compliance, technology and third-party models
- Shape audit plans around key manufacturing and supply risks, then check findings for accuracy and evidence
- Recommend practical control improvements and advise senior leaders while preserving audit independence
- Manage and develop senior managers and auditors, while advancing data-driven and AI-supported audit methods
What you bring
- A degree in a technical or scientific area tied to manufacturing, supply chain, logistics or production planning
- Substantial internal audit experience in a tightly regulated field, with pharmaceutical, biotech or medical-device experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing, supply chains, quality systems, external manufacturing and pharmaceutical rules such as GMP and GDP
- A record of leading audits, advising senior stakeholders and managing teams; fluent written and spoken English
Who this fits
This director-level role suits an experienced audit leader who can manage people, engage senior executives and oversee work across technical operations. The role is based in Barcelona and involves global travel of about a quarter of the time.
From the employer
Salary Range:
€70,100.00 - €130,300.00
Job Description Summary
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.
Job Description
Key responsibilities:
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%.
Essential Requirements:
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
Desirable Requirements:
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
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
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
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