Manager - Risk and Policies (P&O)

Job Description Summary

Sandoz continues to go through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Biosimilar and Generic medicines. As we continue down this new and ambitious path, unique opportunities will present themselves, both professionally and personally. Join us, the future is ours to shape!

As Manager, People Risk, Policies & Controls, you will play a critical role in strengthening the P&O risk and governance environment across Sandoz. You will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of the P&O risk management framework, providing 1.5 Line of Defence (1.5 LoD) oversight, driving controls monitoring and testing, and ensuring effective governance of P&O policies, standards and guidance.

Job Description

About the Role

As Manager, People Risk, Policies & Controls, you will play a critical role in strengthening the P&O risk and governance environment across Sandoz. You will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of the P&O risk management framework, providing 1.5 Line of Defence (1.5 LoD) oversight, driving controls monitoring and testing, and ensuring effective governance of P&O policies, standards and guidance.

Working across a diverse global stakeholder network, you will help identify and assess people-related risks, enhance control effectiveness, support policy governance, and promote a strong risk-aware culture. The role requires the ability to translate complex regulatory, compliance and risk requirements into practical business solutions while maintaining an appropriate balance between business partnership and independent challenge.

This is an exciting opportunity for a risk and governance professional who thrives in a dynamic, global environment and is passionate about strengthening organizational resilience, accountability and continuous improvement.

Your Key Responsibilities

People Risk Management & 1.5 Line of Defence (LOD) Oversight

• Support the design, implementation and continuous enhancement of the P&O Risk Management Framework.
• Act as a trusted 1.5 LoD partner, providing risk oversight, challenge and guidance to P&O functions globally.
• Facilitate risk identification, assessment and mitigation activities across key people processes and practices.
• Monitor emerging people risks and assess potential operational, regulatory, financial and reputational impacts.
• Partner with risk owners to develop, implement and track risk mitigation and remediation plans.
• Support risk reporting, escalation and governance activities through relevant leadership and governance forums.
• Promote risk ownership and accountability across P&O teams.

Controls Monitoring & Testing

• Design and maintain a structured controls monitoring and testing framework for key P&O controls.
• Develop testing methodologies, testing plans, standards and reporting approaches.
• Conduct and coordinate control design and operating effectiveness assessments.
• Monitor control performance and identify gaps, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
• Track observations, deficiencies and remediation actions through successful closure.
• Assess recurring trends and recommend sustainable control enhancements.
• Support continuous improvement of the P&O control environment.

Policies, Standards & Guidance Governance

• Lead and support the development, maintenance and periodic review of global P&O policies, standards, procedures and guidance documents.
• Ensure policies are risk-based, practical, user-friendly and aligned with Sandoz governance requirements.
• Manage policy governance activities including approvals, attestations, exceptions and review cycles.
• Support alignment between global requirements and local regulatory obligations.
• Drive simplification, standardization and harmonization across the P&O policy landscape.
• Translate risk, compliance and regulatory requirements into clear and actionable guidance for stakeholders.

Risk Awareness, Training & Culture

• Develop and implement risk awareness initiatives to strengthen control consciousness across P&O.
• Design and deliver training, communications and educational materials on people risks, policies and controls.
• Promote a culture of proactive risk management, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support capability building across P&O teams through knowledge sharing and practical guidance.

Governance, Reporting & Audit Support

• Prepare meaningful management reporting, dashboards and insights covering risks, controls, testing outcomes and remediation activities.
• Establish and maintain governance routines, performance metrics and escalation mechanisms.
• Provide regular updates to P&O leadership and relevant governance committees.
• Analyze trends and deliver actionable insights to support decision making.
• Support internal audits, external audits and regulatory reviews related to P&O processes, controls and governance.
• Coordinate management responses and remediation activities arising from audit findings.

What You'll Bring to the Role

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Law or a related discipline.
• 8-10 years of relevant professional experience within a GCC environment
• Experience in Risk Management, Internal Controls, Compliance, Governance, Audit or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in risk oversight, controls monitoring and testing, preferably within a 1.5 LoD environment.
• Experience developing and governing policies, standards, procedures and guidance frameworks.
• Experience developing executive-level reporting, dashboards and governance materials.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to provide constructive challenge.
• Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work independently across multiple priorities in a global environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience within Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Healthcare or another highly regulated industry.
• Understanding of key People & Organisation risks and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews or regulatory inspections.
• Knowledge of enterprise risk management and internal control frameworks.
• Professional certification in Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, Governance or related disciplines (e.g., CRISC, CIA, CISA, IRM, Compliance certifications) is an advantage.

Why Sandoz?

Generic and Biosimilar medicines are the backbone of the global medicines industry. Sandoz, a leader in this sector, provided more than 900 million patient treatments across 100+ countries in 2024 and while we are proud of this achievement, we have an ambition to do more!

With investments in new development capabilities, production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help more patients gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.

Our momentum is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful, flexible-hybrid careers, where diversity is welcomed and where personal growth is supported! 

Join us!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Change Management, Curiosity, Data Privacy, Employee Experience, HRIS (Human Resource Management System), Hr Operations (Hr Ops), HR Service Delivery, Human Resource Management System, Human Resources (HR), Human Resources Management, Labour Law, Payroll, Sdm, Service-Level Agreements (Sla), Talent Development