Independence at work, space for family life: How home-grown talents succeed at this MNC

A Singaporean employee at pharmaceutical firm Novartis recently received an award reserved for the top 1 per cent of the Swiss multinational’s global workforce. The recognition did not just spotlight individual achievement – it also offered a glimpse into Novartis’ work environment, which enables people to do their best in their jobs.

For country president Poh Hwee Tee, the achievement is a testament to Novartis Singapore’s workplace culture.

“Our people drive every aspect of our operation. They are the ones extending medical boundaries, developing more efficient methodologies and spearheading digital transformation,” she says.

In recent years, that sense of innovation and ownership has been reinforced by a companywide emphasis on being “inspired, curious, and unbossed” – a set of principles introduced in 2018 to guide how teams work and lead across Novartis.
 

Since it opened its Singapore office in 1986, Novartis has built a strong local presence, investing over US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion) to support its pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and employing 700 people across various divisions – from regional and local commercial teams, to biologic manufacturing and early-stage development.

But what does this investment look like in practice?

Three employees share their experiences at Novartis Singapore, ranked one of Singapore’s top employers, by The Straits Times and global research firm Statista.
 

From poly intern to global recognition

In June, 28-year-old Lin Lee will fly to Geneva to receive the CEO Field Award, one of Novartis’ highest honours.

Chosen from 18,000 global field associates, she is the first Singapore-based recipient from the study and site operations (SSO) team – a key function in managing clinical trials – and one of just 182 individuals recognised each year.
 

Ms Lee’s journey at Novartis began as a Nanyang Polytechnic intern in 2015. After joining the company full-time in 2021, she quickly left her mark – leading a project focused on autoimmune diseases and working with healthcare providers to come up with a way to help more patients get treatment.

Now, as an SSO study start up manager, she oversees the start up of clinical trials and contributes to the smooth running of clinical trial operations globally.

Her bachelor’s degree in life sciences and master’s degree in pharmaceutical science and technology, both from the National University of Singapore, had already given her a strong foundation and an edge in clinical research. Her deep technical know-how and strong interpersonal skills also makes her stand out.

“Being recognised at the global level is both humbling and motivating,” she says.

Her achievement highlights the strength of the Singapore office’s role in global clinical trials. With strong support from other departments like Regulatory Affairs and Legal, the local ecosystem plays an instrumental role in enabling timely trial start up and execution. “It takes a village to accelerate clinical trials,” Ms Lee says.

“This award belongs to everyone who has been part of this journey,” she adds, highlighting Novartis Singapore’s commitment to nurturing home-grown talent.
 

PhD holder thrives in an ‘unbossed’ culture

Since joining the company in 2022, Novartis Singapore’s “unbossed” culture has given Dr Esdy Rozali the autonomy and trust to take initiative, make decisions and pursue ideas without being micromanaged.

“We’re not measured by the number of hours spent at the desk, but by the impact and value we bring to our roles,” he says.

As a medical lead, he helps connect scientific research with real-world medical practice. He studies the latest data on treatments, identifies gaps in patient care, and works with doctors and healthcare teams to develop medical plans.
 

Dr Rozali, 37, who holds a doctorate in oncology, says he appreciates a leadership style that is servant-minded, transparent, and consistent. “When your leaders embody these values, you gain clarity on both the company’s direction and your own place within it,” he says.

He recalls attending the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2016 during his PhD, where Novartis presented a breakthrough targeted therapy. That moment sparked his interest in joining the company.

One year after joining Novartis Singapore, he was invited to represent the regional team at a global strategy meeting in Barcelona for an upcoming launch. “It gave me a platform to present insights to the global team, cross-share ideas with colleagues around the world, and refine our launch strategies,” he says. That was just one of many career-defining opportunities he has been given to grow his skills, broaden his perspective, and contribute on a larger scale within the organisation.
 

Mother of three balances career with family

The supportive work policies at Novartis have enabled working mum Tan Pei Lin, 36, to grow her career while raising three young children.

Since joining the company in 2016, she has taken on key roles within the manufacturing science and technology (MS&T) team. In her current role as a technical transfer lead, she oversees projects that help bring new products from the lab to large-scale production and commercial products from other manufacturing sites to Singapore site – ensuring a seamless handover and keeping operations running smoothly once manufacturing is underway.

As her role at Novartis expanded, so did her life outside of work.

But right from the birth of her first child in 2018, Ms Tan has been able to juggle her work and home commitments, thanks to Novartis’ flexible work arrangements. “I have the flexibility to start work between 7am and 9am,” she says. “This allows me to plan my morning routines with my kids, ensuring they have a happy start to their day.”

She also appreciates being given the option to work from home up to 40 per cent of the time – a company-wide policy. After her third child was born, she was granted extended eight-month unpaid leave beyond her 16-week parental leave, to dedicate time to her family commitments, upon special request and approval.

This flexibility is complemented by a workplace culture where efforts are recognised and individuals are valued for their contributions. Ms Tan has been nominated for several internal awards by her peers in recognition of her work. “When we put in effort, it feels good to be acknowledged. That encouragement drives us to keep striving for excellence,” she says.
 

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.