Job description summary
we are seeking a strategic collaborative and solutions-focused associate director, labor rights to lead the execution of novartis global labor rights program, with a focus on the americas region. This role is critical to meeting our corporate responsibility under the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (csddd) and ensuring sustainable, ethical sourcing through high-impact engagement with external partners. The associate director will be accountable for identifying, assessing, and mitigating labor rights risks across novartis value chain.
job description
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key responsibilities:
* act as the regional lead and go-to expert for the business and for external partners on labor rights risk management.
* lead risk assessments & due diligence on labor rights and raw material certification for all in-scope external partners, including developing, tracking, and closing mitigation actions/corrective action plans in line with novartis global labor rights risk management protocols and international human rights standards.
* design and deliver capability-building programs for external partners using a maturity model framework.
* lead training efforts across internal stakeholders, external partners, and workers to deepen understanding of the third party code (tpc).
* integrate digital risk monitoring tools (e.g., worker voice surveys, grievance platforms) into routine assessments and remediation.
* investigate and close relevant speakup cases related to external partners in coordination with local and regional teams.
* contribute to the design and continuous improvement of global risk protocols, including third party questionnaires (tpqs), audit methodologies, and remediation frameworks.
* build and maintain influential relationships with senior leaders across relevant functions viz. Procurement, external partner risk management (eprm), legal, ethics risk & compliance (erc) and others as well as with external partners to co-develop ethical sourcing solutions.
* track kpis that measure external partner compliance and program effectiveness and provide data analytics and reporting as required.
* engage with civil society, unions, and industry bodies to align novartis labor rights approach with best practices.
* perform all business development licensing and mergers & acquisitions related human rights risk assessments.
* actively contribute to broader human rights team strategy and cross-functional collaboration.
requirements:
* degree or equivalent experience in law, human rights, supply chain management, international relations, international development, or related fields.
* experience in labor rights risk management, including hands-on engagement with external partners on labor rights compliance with international labor standards.
* proven expertise in external partner transformation (from low to high compliance) and labor rights risk mitigation approaches.
* experience with digital tools for labor rights monitoring and technology-enabled risk assessment.
* strong leadership, analytical depth, and the ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners. Risk expertise with exceptional communication skills and a track record in human and labor rights, ideally within a corporate context.
* fluency in english; additional languages relevant to the americas region are a plus.
key skills and attributes:
* strong influencing and negotiation skills to drive external partner compliance.
* skilled in effective risk assessments, data interpretation, and independently generating actionable insights for informed decision-making in complex risk scenarios.
* excellent communication abilities to effectively convey labor rights concepts to diverse stakeholders (internal and external) supporting clear, informed decision making.
* agile and adaptable to regional complexity and evolving regulatory landscapes.
* strong ownership mindset with the ability to lead multiple initiatives independently and deliver high-impact results with minimal supervisor insight.
* commitment to a people-first, risk-based approach that prioritizes worker well-being.
novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.
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?
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