Summary

The Head of Ethics, Risk & Compliance (ERC) Russia leads Ethics, Risk, and Compliance (ERC) for Russia as an enterprise-minded, strategic partner who enables responsible growth with integrity. Shape and execute a fit-for-purpose ERC strategy that anticipates risks, embeds ethics into culture, and translates global standards (e.g., ABAC, DPDAI, COI) into practical, business-relevant solutions. Build a high-performing ERC team, strengthen trust with regulators and stakeholders, and design systems that make integrity a competitive advantage in a complex, highly regulated pharma environment.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Risk Leadership and System Design

• Set the ERC vision and strategy for Russia, aligned to enterprise objectives, external risk signals, and market context; integrate risk intelligence into business planning and innovation.
• Design and evolve fit-for-purpose programs, controls, and governance (feedback loops, metrics, root-cause learning) that drive resilient behavior and decision-making, not mere compliance checklists.
• Establish clear decision rights, escalation pathways, and risk appetite guidance in partnership with Country, Cluster and International leadership

Deep Technical Mastery and Assurance

• Provide authoritative guidance on complex, high-stakes compliance matters in the healthcare environment; tailor global standards (ABAC, DPDAI, COI) to Russia operations in a risk-balanced manner.
• Maintain functional credibility with regulators, auditors, and cross-functional leaders; ensure policies, procedures, and monitoring meet regulatory and ethical expectations.
• Oversee promotional/non-promotional activity governance; report appropriately to the Country Leadership Team.

Culture Shaping and Integrity Leadership

• Role-model integrity and cultivate a speak-up, accountable culture that embeds ethics into performance and everyday choices.
• Use systems, signals, and narrative to promote integrity beyond compliance; improve culture metrics and perception of trust, openness, and psychological safety.
• Define and deliver an annual local training plan (Code of Ethics, SpeakUp, Anti-Bribery, Doing Business Ethically, handbooks, relevant local regulations), ensuring onboarding and refreshers are practical and impact-oriented.

Business Partnership and Enablement

• Act as a trusted advisor and problem solver to business leaders; influence upstream decisions to enable innovation and speed with integrity.
• Translate risk guidance into practical, timely business decisions; co-create mitigation strategies with business units and functions without compromising ethical standards.
• Champion One ERC across divisions, Development, and Operations to ensure a consistent, scalable approach

Risk Management, Monitoring, and Issue Handling

• Lead risk assessments, audits, monitoring, and reporting; use data and insights to prioritize remediation and strengthen controls.
• Ensure SpeakUp processes are well-communicated, fair, and effective; oversee corrective actions and remediation following investigations and committee decisions.
• Coordinate Business Continuity and Emergency Management (pandemic, disaster, earthquakes, CARBON) readiness.

Influence, Presence, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trust and influence across senior leadership, regulators, and industry bodies; communicate with clarity, presence, and calm under pressure.
• Engage in dialogue rather than directive; leverage storytelling and evidence to shape decisions.
• Represent the company in relevant committees and associations to synthesize public expectations, strengthen the environment, and enhance industry trust.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Attract, develop, and retain diverse ERC talent; allocate resources effectively and build future-ready capabilities.
• Inspire a shared vision and mission; lead through change with clarity, care, and accountability.
• Establish capability frameworks, coaching routines, and succession planning to elevate functional excellence.

What You'll Bring

• A minimum of 10 years experience within ERC or adjacent regulated enviroments, with proven mastery of ABAC, DPDAI, COI, and local regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated systems thinking, operational design, and data-informed program leadership
• Strong executive presence, influence without authority, and cross-boundary collaboration
• Track record in culture change, speak-up enablement, and ethical leadership
• Team leadership: talent strategy, coaching, and change leadership across complex matrices

Education

University degree required, MBA degree preferred

Why Novartis

Join Novartis to help reimagine medicine and improve lives. Work in a colabortive, innovative environment focused on delivering sustainable access and impact at scale.

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

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)