Head of Translational and Precision Medicine

Role Overview

• Lead the TPM group, collaborating closely with the SVP of Global Early Clinical Development and other members of the Innovative Medicines R&D Leadership Team on biomarker and translational medicine strategy and execution.
• Work closely in collaboration with R&D leadership to enhance pre-clinical candidate selection and to develop comprehensive TPM scientific plans for each of the prioritized candidates selected to move into clinical development, further optimizing these plans throughout the life cycle of the compound.
• Independently and innovatively design and implement TPM/biomarker strategies and study plans to enhance probability of success for all clinical programs in collaboration with other relevant functions, and be accountable for on-time execution.
• Provide support and leadership for the design, planning and execution of early clinical trials through proof-of-concept/mechanism, and ensure the TPM strategy is refined in parallel with the development phase of the program.
• Advise relevant R&D functions as an expert in all TPM-related aspects of science, medicine, regulatory strategy, intellectual property (IP), assay development, commercial value, etc., providing expert support for the evaluation of in-licensing compound and collaboration opportunities.
• Oversee TPM personnel, budgets and other resources to ensure focused execution on pipeline deliverables, including translational medicine/biomarker plans, oversight of specialty vendor/assay selection, data analysis and interpretation and communication to relevant stakeholders.
• Represent and manage fiscal planning activities for yearly and quarterly inputs in partnership with colleagues in Finance.
• Foster a collaborative working environment both within and beyond the TPM group, including in matrix teams across R&D.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to direct reports as appropriate, including career development planning and opportunities.
• Identify and prioritize multiple potential indications for clinical development of single therapeutic entities.
• Participate in portfolio reviews, clinical development teams, operational teams, all other relevant governing bodies, and manage communication of TPM strategy, activities, and results across these teams as appropriate.
• Present and participate in international conferences, internally and externally, demonstrating deep scientific expertise and highly effective delivery to such audiences (including regulatory bodies, KOLs, payers, etc).
• Lead discussions with external KOLs and organize academic collaborations that further refine TPM understanding and objectives within programs.

Requirements

• Education Required: M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in relevant areas such as Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Neuroscience, or Related Disciplines.
• Experience: Experience in biomarker-related and assay-development-related scientific research and drug discovery/development (7-10+ years industry experience highly preferred).
• Experience in pre-clinical and/or early clinical development phases of drug development; project management/leadership skills essential.
• Innovative mindset and analytic rigor to facilitate strategic scientific leadership.
• Managerial: Experience managing direct reports (PhD, MS, BSc) and leading matrix teams.
• Willingness to develop talent and continue to build a high-performing team.
• Also Good to Have Fluent in English.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, effective at stakeholder management and consensus building.
• Excellent collaborative leadership skills and administrative skills.
• Ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies both internally and externally to generate decisional evidence, including data analytics approaches and AI tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage starting on the first day of employment, providing the employee enrolls.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with employer match, up to 6% and an annual 3.75% Defined Contribution to the 401k plan.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off including vacation, sick/safe time, caretaker time, and holiday.
• Life and Disability Protection: Company paid Life and Disability insurance.
• Additional benefits include, but are not limited to, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Tuition Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Life Style Spending Account, Volunteer Time Off, Paid Parental Leave, if eligible, Family Building Benefits, Virtual Physical Therapy, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurances, Identity Theft Protection, Legal Plan, Voluntary Life Insurance and Long Term Disability and more.