Jobs / United States / Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Director, Search & Evaluation (Platforms & AI)
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · 🇺🇸 Cambridge (USA)
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 75 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 31 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation paid sponsored hires in similar roles3 certified filings for “Director, AI Use Case Lead” (Computer and Information Research Scientists) in NJ: $186k–$186k, median $186k. Most were filed at wage level III (100%) — 3 lottery entries, ≈46% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Last confirmed live 1 day agoWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence; it is not legal advice and never a guarantee — the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
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Sponsor Radar — Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
The US Department of Labor certified 75 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 31 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation →
About the role
Job Description Summary This role sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, drug discovery, and business development, leading the search, evaluation, and prioritization of external AI-enabled opportunities that can accelerate innovation across Novartis Biomedical Research & Development. The individual will develop strategic perspectives on emerging AI technologies, platforms, datasets, and companies, while identifying high-impact partnering opportunities aligned with Novartis' R&D priorities. Working closely with scientific, technology, and business stakeholders, this person will lead diligence efforts on complex AI opportunities, assessing scientific differentiation, partner capabilities, data and model quality, implementation feasibility, and strategic fit. They will help shape governance-ready recommendations for senior leadership, build relationships across the AI ecosystem including biotech, technology, venture capital, and academia, and establish scalable frameworks for evaluating external innovation. This is a highly visible role for someone who enjoys combining scientific curiosity, strategic thinking, and external engagement to help shape the future of AI-enabled R&D. This role is required to be in our Cambridge, MA office 3x/week. Job Description Key responsibilities: • Lead execution of AI-focused S&E strategy in priority R&D areas, translating internal scientific and business priorities into external search themes and actionable landscapes. • Develop and maintain strategic landscapes across AI-enabled R&D, including company mapping, technology segmentation, financing and deal trends, and prioritization of opportunities. • Lead complex triage and diligence efforts for AI platform, data, model, and end-to-end discovery/development opportunities, coordinating cross-functional input. • Assess technical and strategic differentiation of external AI opportunities, including evidence strength, data access and quality, model validation, wet/dry lab integration, implementation path, partner maturity, and fit with Novartis R&D needs. • Prepare and present high-quality decision materials for S&E, C&BD, and R&D leadership, including strategic recommendations, governance updates, deal rationale, and clear next-step proposals. • Build strong internal alignment with BR, Development, Data/Digital/IT, and other enabling functions to translate R&D priorities into actionable search themes, partnering strategies, and high-impact external opportunities. • Develop and maintain external relationships with AI biotech and technology companies, venture investors, incubators, academic groups, and industry thought leaders. • Monitor competitor activity, investment trends, BD deal-making, and technology inflection points in AI-enabled R&D to inform Novartis positioning and engagement strategy. • Contribute to continuous improvement of S&E processes, including AI-specific diligence frameworks, company tracking, landscape refreshing cadence, and governance standards. Essential requirements: • Delivery of high-quality AI landscapes and strategic perspectives that inform C&BD and R&D prioritization. • Identification and advancement of differentiated AI-enabled R&D opportunities aligned with Novartis priorities. • Timely and rigorous triage/diligence of AI opportunities with clear recommendations and well-documented rationale. • Effective cross-functional alignment across BR, Development, Data/Digital/IT, and governance stakeholders. • High-quality governance materials and leadership communication. • Strong external network coverage across AI biotech, technology, academic, and VC ecosystems. • Improved S&E organizational capability to evaluate AI opportunities consistently and efficiently. • Contribution to team developm