Life Sciences · Data & AI · Commercial Excellence

Ignacio
Huesa

Global commercial operations executive with 20 years in pharma and biotech — turning data, AI and digital transformation into measurable impact across European and International markets.

Basel, Switzerland
20+
Years in Pharma & Biotech
30+
FTEs Led at Novartis Spain
4
Languages Spoken
Global
Head, Data Strategy
01

About

Building the connective tissue between data, technology and commercial strategy — at the intersection where science meets business impact.

My career has been defined by one consistent thread: closing the gap between what data can tell us and what organisations actually do with it. From early business intelligence work in Madrid to leading global data and AI strategy at Novartis, I've built teams, platforms and programs that move companies from insight to action.

I believe that the best commercial leaders in life sciences are those who can hold scientific rigour and commercial pragmatism in the same hand — and who have the organisational influence to make change stick. That's the work I find most energising.

Commercial Data Strategy
AI & Machine Learning
Launch Excellence
Digital Transformation
Field Force Analytics
Data Governance
Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt)
Cross-functional Leadership
02

Experience

Novartis
Jan 2023 — Present
Basel, Switzerland

Global Head, Data Strategy & Governance International

Leading a new global team delivering business value through data and AI-driven customer experiences for HCPs, patients and healthcare organisations across Sales, Marketing, Medical and Access.

  • Lead Commercial Data, Analytics and AI strategy for International Operations — platforms, insights and governance underpinning brand planning, launch readiness and performance management across key countries.
  • Design and maintain executive and operational performance dashboards (revenue, launch excellence, field force KPIs), enabling real-time diagnosis and data-driven commercial optimisation.
  • Chair cross-functional data & analytics governance with Finance, Commercial Excellence, Marketing and Medical, aligning on strategic priorities, KPIs and investment choices across franchises.
  • Owner of Novartis Commercial Data Platforms — CRM, MDM, Data Quality, Governance, Data Mesh — providing strategic direction with a focus on tangible business value.
  • Leader of the AI Commercial Portfolio and AI Governance Board, including development of use cases and products to transform and future-proof Novartis.
Novartis
Oct 2021 — Dec 2022
Madrid, Spain

Head, Business Excellence Spain

Led a 30+ person team covering Novartis Spain's full portfolio — Oncology, Rare Diseases and new launches.

  • Headed Commercial Excellence, Digital & Analytics for Novartis Spain, defining and executing digital, data and AI strategy to enhance HCP engagement, field force effectiveness and launch excellence.
  • Set and monitored commercial excellence priorities — brand planning, launch readiness, and performance tracking for oncology assets in Europe.
  • Developed and deployed commercial performance dashboards and decision engines for field teams, improving targeting, resource allocation and sales execution quality across key brands.
Novartis
May 2020 — Sep 2021
Basel, Switzerland

Global Director, Digital Strategy

Responsible for developing and executing Novartis Global Digital Strategy in the commercial space.

  • Accelerated digital adoption across the commercial organisation, orchestrating digital lighthouse projects and evangelising the art-of-the-possible.
  • Built the strategic plan for the Next Generation Engagement (NGE) programme — a people-centric, personalisation-driven model to transform Novartis Marketing and Commercial capabilities.
  • Authored a 5-year vision on emerging technologies to evolve the customer engagement model and stay ahead of cross-industry benchmarks.
Novartis
Nov 2016 — Apr 2020
Basel, Switzerland

Global Lead, Drug Development Business Process Reengineering

Applied Lean principles to optimise clinical trial operations while simplifying the operating model.

  • Business Process Lead for STRIDE — the largest initiative ever undertaken in Pharma R&D, merging Pharma, Oncology and Sandoz technology, processes and organisational structures.
  • Led a 40+ person BPR programme to improve clinical trial performance using data, design thinking and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
  • Business Lead for GDO Processpedia, enabling holistic, data-driven process improvement across clinical trial operations.
Clariant
Mar 2014 — Oct 2016
Basel, Switzerland

Commercial Excellence Manager

Responsible for customer engagement and commercial excellence initiatives with a direct focus on P&L impact across China, LATAM and the US.

  • Established a global sales incentive plan across field teams, harmonising commercial focus towards Clariant's short- and long-term objectives.
Avolta (Dufry)
Oct 2011 — Mar 2014
Basel, Switzerland

Global Business Analytics Manager

Head of Corporate Business Analytics at the world's largest travel retail company, covering operational analytics to data innovation initiatives.

  • Led corporate analytics covering Business Intelligence core programs — Pricing Policy, Reporting & Analytics Suite, Supplier Extranet.
  • Provided strategic insights to C-level executives, enabling a data-driven, insights-led approach across the company.
Indra
Jun 2008 — Oct 2011
Madrid, Spain

Business Intelligence Consultant

Project lead across a range of BI projects in the marketing and sales space, spanning multiple industries.

  • Strategic lead for predictive modelling and segmentation initiatives, enhancing customer engagement models across diverse clients and sectors.
03

Core Expertise

Data & AI Strategy

Designing end-to-end data strategies — from governance and platform architecture to AI use case development — that deliver measurable commercial outcomes in life sciences environments.

Commercial Excellence

Optimising field force effectiveness, launch readiness and brand performance through analytics, dashboards and structured commercial frameworks across Oncology, Rare Diseases and broader portfolios.

Digital Transformation

Translating digital vision into organisational change — building the capabilities, culture and engagement models that make personalised, omnichannel customer experience sustainable at scale.

Governance & Platforms

Establishing cross-functional data governance structures and owning enterprise commercial platforms (CRM, MDM, Data Mesh) that provide reliable, trusted foundations for strategic decision-making.

Process Reengineering

Applying Lean Six Sigma and design thinking to simplify complex operating models — demonstrated through Novartis STRIDE, the largest R&D transformation programme in pharma history.

Executive Leadership

Building and leading large, globally distributed teams across cultures and functions — with a track record of influencing C-suite stakeholders and driving durable change in matrix organisations.

04

Education & Credentials

2008

MSc in Computer Engineering

University of Seville, Spain

Dissertation: Cryptography & Security at ATMs — Honors Cum Laude

2011

Executive Programme in Business Intelligence

EOI Business School, Madrid

Best Programme Thesis Award — "BI Everywhere"

2015

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

UMS GmbH, Switzerland

Industry standard for process improvement and business excellence

Additional certifications include Drug Research & Development Executive Programmes (Tufts University), Data Science (IBM & University of Washington), and advanced courses in leadership, innovation, and AI. Methodologies: PMP · Scrum · Agile · Design Thinking · Lean Six Sigma.

Let's build
something
meaningful.

Email ihuesa@hotmail.com Phone +41 79 872 79 17
Location Basel, Switzerland
Open to Executive roles across Europe & International