Ritika Jauhari has joined Novartis India to lead Corporate Communications, bringing more than 20 years of experience spanning strategic communications, healthcare communications, public relations, advocacy, media relations and client advisory.
Her appointment marks a move from senior communications consulting and agency leadership into an in-house corporate communications role with the global medicines company.
Prior to joining Novartis India, Jauhari was Senior Partner at SPAG/FINN, where she held a senior leadership role from September 2022. She had earlier served as President – New Business Development & Strategy at SPAG, contributing to the agency’s business development and strategic communications agenda.
Jauhari’s association with SPAG included several leadership positions, giving her extensive experience across healthcare communications, advocacy, reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
She also served as Head of the Healthcare Practice at H+K Strategies India from August 2021 to April 2022.
Earlier, Jauhari held a series of roles at SPAG, including Senior Director – India and Singapore, Director – PR and Advocacy, Associate Director, Senior Manager – Advocacy & Communications, Manager – Media Relations and Client Servicing. Her career at the agency covered healthcare communications, media relations, advocacy, strategic counsel and client engagement.
Jauhari began her career at The PRactice, where she worked from 2004 to 2006. She subsequently held account management roles at Integral PR Services and PR Pundit, where she was Senior Account Executive.
Over more than two decades, her career has evolved from frontline public relations and media relations to senior strategic, advisory and business leadership positions.
At Novartis India, Jauhari will bring her healthcare communications expertise and experience in stakeholder engagement to the company’s corporate communications function. Her agency-side background across healthcare, advocacy and reputation management is expected to support Novartis India’s corporate reputation, strategic narratives and stakeholder communications.
The appointment also reflects the growing movement of senior agency and communications consultancy leaders into in-house corporate communications roles, particularly within the healthcare sector.
