Site Utility Lead

Job Description Summary

#LI-Onsite

Location:

Durham, NC

*** The Site Utility Lead is an Associate Director level role***

If you’re energized by owning the systems that keep a manufacturing campus safe, reliable, and ready for what’s next—this is your opportunity to lead from the front. As the Site Utility Lead, you will lead a site‑based team of utility and electrical engineers and technicians supporting continuous operations across a two‑site manufacturing campus, with accountability for the reliable operation, integration, improvement, and lifecycle planning of critical building and utility infrastructure.

You will partner across engineering, quality, validation, and operations to enable day‑to‑day performance and future growth through capital project support, disciplined change control, corrective and preventive actions, inspection readiness, and clear key performance indicator‑driven improvements—while helping advance site decarbonization initiatives aligned with Novartis sustainability goals.

• Lead and mentor utility and electrical engineers and technicians supporting round‑the‑clock manufacturing operations.
• Ensure reliable, efficient operation of building and utility infrastructure across a two‑site manufacturing campus.
• Plan and deliver utilities support for current and future capital projects and site objectives.
• Coordinate site shutdowns, repairs, and small infrastructure projects to minimize operational disruption.
• Optimize resource sharing across sites to maximize capability and reduce total operating costs.
• Manage external service providers, ensuring training, qualification, and safe execution of contracted work.
• Lead site decarbonization initiatives aligned to Novartis sustainability goals.
• Define, monitor, and improve facility and utility key performance indicators; present regular performance and budget reports.
• Own change control and corrective and preventive actions for assigned systems; lead deviation investigations as needed.
• Represent utilities engineering during regulatory audits, ensuring maintenance readiness and technical support for inspection responses.

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in regulated biotechnology or biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• 3+ years of demonstrated people leadership experience, preferably in site or utilities engineering functions.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations and current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.
• Proven ability to lead through complex, high‑pressure situations with sound judgment and structured decision‑making.
• Demonstrated success collaborating across quality, validation, operations, and engineering teams in fast‑paced settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and leadership‑level presentations.
• Proficiency using standard office software, building management systems, and computerized maintenance management systems.

• Experience leading site sustainability or decarbonization initiatives in an industrial or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting utilities and infrastructure for continuous operations across multi‑building or multi‑site manufacturing campuses.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600 and $257,400 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including…