We Are Norstella

Sarah Howard

Commercial support manager

Sarah Howard, Commercial Support Manager at Norstella’s Evaluate, has been with the company since 2007. Over the years, she has been pivotal in managing sales support, overseeing contract reviews and approvals, and ensuring seamless legal compliance. In January 2024, she transitioned to the commercial operations team, focusing on supporting the sales and commercial teams at Evaluate.

Tell us a little bit more about your role.

At Norstella, I support Evaluate sales teams by ensuring they have the tools to process orders efficiently. This involves working with my team to maintain and verify data accuracy. My role focuses on internal support, dealing with Salesforce issues, contract processing, and large data projects.

What I love most is the variety – no two days are the same, and the mix of routine tasks and urgent problem-solving keeps things interesting.

How did you join the company? What in your background brought you to pharma?

I joined Evaluate in 2007 as the office manager because I saw great potential in the business. With a background in office management, it was a natural fit. I was drawn to evaluate because of its supportive and forward-thinking environment. It was a smart and supportive organization.

Initially, my role covered support for sales, marketing, finance, and analysts, allowing me to learn extensively about the business. Over the years, I transitioned to more focused support roles in sales and legal to better support the business.

What does your day-to-day usually look like?

No day is the same. My tasks range from supporting the sales teams with Salesforce issues and getting contracts out the door to working on large data projects.

Ensuring our data is clean and accurate for senior-level reporting is crucial. Some days focus on routine tasks, while others involve urgent problem-solving. This variety keeps my work interesting and engaging.

What are some of the larger projects you’re working on?

I’m currently working on ensuring our reporting is accurate and up to date for senior management. A significant project involves merging systems between Evaluate and Citeline, leveraging my experience with automation on the Evaluate side. This includes integrating the two systems and providing insights into our existing processes.

It’s funny how much you realize you know when you’re asked to share your knowledge. My 17 years have equipped me with a wealth of experience that I can now use to help streamline these integrations.

What are some of the common challenges in your role?

Time is one of the biggest challenges. It often feels like there’s never enough time to get everything done and some days, it feels like the day has just started when it’s already 4 p.m.

Prioritization is crucial, as I often jump from one task to another to fix urgent issues. The ability to shift focus quickly and manage urgent problems is essential. While challenging, it also makes the role exciting and keeps me engaged.

What’s been your career highlight to date?

Receiving recognition from my peers has been the highlight of my career. My peers nominated me for the Unsung Hero Award for two years in a row, which is a huge thing to me because it shows that the hard work and dedication, I’ve put into supporting them is recognized and appreciated.

It’s incredibly validating that my colleagues notice and value my efforts. This recognition means a lot to me and motivates me to strive for excellence in my role.

Which company principle resonates most with you?

The principles that resonate most with me are humility, gratitude, and learning. To succeed, we must support each other in achieving the same goal.

At Norstella, we always learn from each other and strive to be our best. Never assume your way is the only right way because someone else might have a better approach, which helps you see things differently.

Being open to learning and bouncing ideas off each other is crucial – you can always learn something new daily.

What would you tell someone just starting their career with Norstella?

Enjoy it!

There’s a great future ahead and a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry. Take time to meet people within the organization and learn from their experiences.

We have long-term employees and new people bringing fresh perspectives. Learning from everyone will only benefit you, so take the time to connect with your colleagues. Embrace the journey and maximize your time working for a great company.

Where do you see Norstella in the next year or two?

I believe that Norstella will continue to lead the way on our mission of pipeline to patient. The drive and determination of the whole group will ensure that we remain a leader in the market.

I see us improving, especially by bringing in the right talent and teams to strengthen our business. Norstella is just going to go from strength to strength.

What do you like most about working at Norstella?

Honestly? It’s the people.

The support, camaraderie, and friendships I’ve made here are incredible. The people I work with have helped me through a lot, both professionally and personally. They are always willing to offer advice, support, and lend a helping hand whenever needed. This sense of community and teamwork is something truly special.

I love my job and what I do, but it’s the people that have kept me here. Over the years, I’ve formed strong bonds with my colleagues, and they’ve become like a second family. I know I could work elsewhere, but I wouldn’t have the same support and sense of belonging at Norstella.

The culture here fosters a collaborative environment where everyone is encouraged to grow and succeed. It’s this unique atmosphere that makes Norstella such a great place to work.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my 15-year-old daughter, who is passionate about dancing. I take her to dance lessons and festivals regularly, which is wonderful to see. I also enjoy reading and going for walks with my Goldendoodle.

Traveling with my family is another passion of mine; we love exploring new places together. When we go on holiday, my favorite thing to do is sit by the pool in the sun, read a good book, and just relax – it’s the perfect way to recharge and spend quality time with my loved ones.

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