Simon Nowack

Executive Assistant to Chief Financial Officer, International.

Basel, Basel, Switzerland

About

Experienced Executive Assistant with over 10 years of C-suite support in a global corporate environment. Proven ability to navigate complex structures, drive operational efficiency, and anticipate executive needs. Skilled in prioritization, stakeholder management, and leadership meeting orchestration. Recognized for discretion, problem-solving, and a service-oriented mindset. Trusted to represent executives, drive alignment, and maintain momentum in fast-changing environments.

Experience

  • Novartis (17 yrs 10 mos)
    • Executive Assistant to Chief Financial Officer, International
      Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

      - Manage and prioritize the CFO’s agenda, ensuring decision-ready input and efficient use of leadership time. - Act as key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders; ensure structured information flow. - Improve administrative processes and turnaround times; implement more efficient workflows across the financial leadership team. - Deputize for multiple C-suite Executive Assistants to ensure seamless continuity of executive support.

    • Executive Assistant to Novartis Executive Committee Member & Chief Ethics, Risk & Compliance Officer
      Feb 2019 - May 2025 · 6 yrs 4 mos

      - Enabled executive decision-making by prioritizing strategic topics, structuring agendas, and aligning communication with senior leaders, including interactions with the CEO Office and Board Office. - Led leadership meetings and offsites end-to-end (agenda shaping, briefing materials, outcomes tracking). - Deputized for the Assistant to the President Operations / ECN Member, ensuring seamless continuity of executive office operations. - Ensured business continuity during crises (COVID-19, geopolitical events), coordinating leadership response and workflows.

    • Assistant to Head Global HR & Corp. Functions
      Jun 2015 - Jan 2019 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      - Managed complex executive scheduling, travel, and high-priority engagements. - Acted as Deputy EA to the CFO (~20%), supporting senior financial leadership. - Prepared executive communications, reports, and presentations for decision making.

  • Project Coordinator Campus Project at Kelly
    Feb 2006 - Sep 2008 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    - Coordinated project schedules, reports, and deliverables to ensure on-time execution. - Built productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Deputy Head Restaurant Manager at Hotel Restaurant Kater Hiddigeigei
    Jun 2004 - Jan 2006 · 1 yr 8 mos

    - Improved customer satisfaction scores by managing dining experiences and resolving customer complaints. - Monitored and managed inventory levels, including ordering supplies, tracking stock, and minimizing waste.

  • Civil Service at rehabilitation- and integration center of mentally ill people at Christiani e.V.
    Dec 2003 - Jun 2004 · 7 mos

    - Take care for youths and supporting discriminated youths in their education (e.g. school home-work support). - Responding to crisis, emergencies or incidents within the center promptly and effectively. - Building effective relationships and collaborating with social workers to coordinate services and support for youth offenders.

  • VITA Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH & Co. KG (Bad Säckingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany · On-site)
    • Assistant Business Management Operations
      Sep 2003 - Dec 2003 · 4 mos

      - Assisting with the preparations, editing and formatting of business documents such as reports, presentations and proposals. - Assisting in data collection, analysis and reporting on key performance indicators (KPI) and business metrics.

    • Education: Industriekaufmann
      Sep 2000 - Aug 2003 · 3 yrs

      A dual vocational training programme recognised by the Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) (Chamber of Industry & Commerce) that equips professionals to manage commercial, production- and service-oriented business functions in industrial companies. Topics include business processes, procurement, sales, personnel, finance, controlling and operational monitoring.