Senior Manager

Role summary

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The Senior Manager role at Novartis in Japan typically requires a university degree, relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, strong project and stakeholder-management skills, and professional Japanese and English communication abilities. The successful candidate is expected to lead cross-functional initiatives, translate business priorities into practical plans, manage timelines and risks, and provide clear, data-informed recommendations to senior leaders. Experience working in a regulated environment, handling multiple priorities, and collaborating across international teams is highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate strategic thinking, accountability, sound judgment, adaptability, and a commitment to Novartis’s patient-focused and ethical culture.

About the employer

Novartis is a global medicines company headquartered in Switzerland, focused on discovering and delivering innovative treatments for serious and chronic diseases. Its major areas of research and commercial activity include oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and renal conditions, and other high-impact therapeutic areas. Novartis operates in many countries, including Japan, where it works with healthcare professionals, patients, regulators, researchers, and business partners to improve health outcomes. The company emphasizes science-led innovation, data-driven decision-making, patient access, ethical conduct, and inclusive collaboration. Employees typically work in cross-functional and international teams, with opportunities to contribute to product launches, medical programs, corporate initiatives, operational improvement, and long-term healthcare transformation.

Working in Japan

Japan offers strong opportunities in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, finance, engineering, and international business. Tokyo and Yokohama provide the widest range of professional roles, while Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka also have active business and research communities. Japanese workplace culture values punctuality, preparation, respect, teamwork, and careful communication, although multinational companies often use more flexible global practices. The lifestyle is safe, efficient, and convenient, with excellent public transport, reliable services, varied food, and a high cost of living in major cities. Foreign professionals usually need an employer-sponsored work visa, commonly under an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or highly skilled professional category. Employers generally assist with sponsorship and relocation, including documentation and sometimes housing support. Learning Japanese is not always essential in global companies, but it significantly improves daily life, integration, and long-term career prospects.