Summary
To lead the Forecasting function within BSI as a strategic, insight-driven and functionally strong capability. The Head of Forecasting will bring thought leadership, drive excellence in forecasting science, and build a scalable, future-ready team. This role ensures delivery of robust, scenario-based forecasts that inform strategic decisions across BD&L, early pipeline, and in-line assets. The leader will also be accountable for developing a strong functional career path for associates, fostering a high-performing, agile, and collaborative culture aligned with BSI and CLS objectives.
About The Role
Location – Hyderabad Hybrid
Major Accountabilities
Set Strategic Direction:
- Define and evolve the long-term vision and roadmap for forecasting, ensuring alignment with BSI and CLS priorities and evolving enterprise needs.
- Embed forecasting as a strategic enabler of brand planning, portfolio prioritization, and investment decisions.
Deliver High-Impact Forecasts
- Lead the delivery of short-term and long-range forecasts across the product lifecycle—from early pipeline to launch and in-market performance.
- Ensure timely, high-quality, and assumption-based forecasts that support BD&L evaluations, early pipeline strategy, and commercial planning.
Lead Functional Excellence
- Serve as a thought leader in forecasting science, embedding best practices, innovation, and rigor across methodologies, tools, and processes.
Build and Empower a High-Performing Team
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of forecasting professionals with clear career paths and growth opportunities.
- Foster a culture of excellence, agility, and collaboration across geographies and therapeutic areas.
Drive Standardization And Scalability
- Champion consistent, transparent forecasting frameworks and tools across TAs, enabling scalability and operational efficiency.
Enable Enterprise Collaboration
- Partner cross-functionally with Insights, Market Research, CI, Finance, Strategy, and BD&L to ensure forecasts are integrated, actionable, and aligned with enterprise decisions.
Functional Skills And Knowledge
- Forecasting Expertise: Deep understanding of forecasting techniques, scenario planning, and lifecycle modeling (short- and long-term).
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- People management – create an inclusive & high engaging environment for associates
- TA/DA and Brand Acumen: Strong grasp of therapeutic area dynamics, brand strategy, and market-specific drivers.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner with Insights, CI, Access, Finance, and BD&L to co-create integrated forecasts.
- Data Integration & Analytics: Skilled in synthesizing inputs from primary/secondary research, CI, and financial data into cohesive forecasts.
- Strategic Communication: Ability to translate complex models into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
- Operational Excellence: Experience in standardizing forecasting processes and driving automation and scalability.
- Leadership & Team Development: Track record of building high-performing, inclusive teams and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
- Servant Leadership: Empowers teams by removing obstacles and fostering autonomy.
- Encourages open dialogue and challenges assumptions constructively.
- Collaboration & Influence
- Builds trust across cross-functional teams.
- Aligns diverse stakeholders around shared goals and strategic direction.
- Agility & Adaptability
- Anticipates evolving needs and pivots strategies accordingly.
- Promotes a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Team Development
- Coaches and mentors team members
- Fosters a high-performing, connected, and agile team culture.
- Strategic Thinking
- Embeds insights early in decision-making to drive clarity and impact.
- Aligns team efforts with enterprise-wide strategic goals.
Education
- Minimum: University degree and MBA or professional qualification in related field, e.g., business, life sciences, data science
- Prior experience in analytics, forecasting for complex quantitative data analysis and prediction models is desirable
Experience
- 18+ years in pharmaceutical forecasting, commercial analytics, or consulting, with a strong track record of influencing strategic decisions.
- 10+ years experience in Life Science companies or in LifeScience Practices in consulting firms, desirable though not mandatory
- Experience across the full product lifecycle (early pipeline to in-market) and deep understanding of TA/DA dynamics and brand strategy is a plus
- Experience in building scalable forecasting frameworks and leading functional transformation.
- 5+ years’ experience in people management
- Ability and expertise in engaging senior partners and influencing strategic decision-making.
- Proven ability to work in a matrix and geographically dispersed environment with problem-solving skills utilized to identify customer issues and deliver solutions.
- Good understanding of pharmaceutical commercial landscape and domain experience
- Experience in remote relationships (on-shore/off-shore capability delivery)
Why Novartis:
Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
You’ll receive:
You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
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.
Join our Novartis Network:
If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network.
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
Join our Novartis Network:
Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Benefits and Rewards:
Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
