REFS Specialist

About the role

The REFS Specialist provides subject‑matter expertise and end‑to‑end operational ownership across assigned Real Estate & Facility Services activities. The role translates business and site needs into reliable, compliant, cost‑effective service solutions while supporting a safe, efficient, sustainable workplace.

Key responsibilities

• Own assigned REFS processes and service outcomes, acting as the primary point of contact for areas such as cleaning, food & coffee services, facility maintenance, occupational health, security and employee transportation.
• Define, monitor and challenge service performance against SLAs, KPIs and quality expectations; investigate issues, identify root causes and verify corrective actions.
• Govern subcontractors and service partners, lead service reviews, manage performance gaps and ensure compliance with HSE, quality and business continuity controls.
• Identify cost‑saving and productivity opportunities, prepare business cases and track realized benefits.
• Lead or support REFS projects and continuous‑improvement initiatives, applying structured problem‑solving methods.
• Maintain audit readiness, support inspections and ensure compliance with Novartis, local legal and quality standards.

Required profile

• University degree or equivalent qualification.
• Good command of written and spoken English and proficiency in the local language.
• Approximately five years of relevant experience, preferably in a multinational environment.
• Strong communication skills across organizational levels and proven stakeholder‑management ability.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, negotiation and change‑leadership capabilities.

Required skills

• Data Analytics