Executive Director – Program Development Lead, Autoimmune

The AI Program Lead will lead the development and execution of the product strategy for autoimmune pipeline projects in early development.
Lead the development and execution of the product strategy for autoimmune pipeline projects in early development
Lead a cross-functional team to develop a range of strategic and tactical recommendations for program development, secure governance and budget approval, and secure resource for the projects
Articulate the project goals, strategy, and underlying science to internal and external audiences with clarity and credibility to enable effective program execution
Be accountable for cross-functional program execution, including reporting of progress/issues
Partner with other program leaders, scientific and clinical leaders, and external experts to develop integrated project plans & sound portfolio strategy
Drive the broader autoimmune strategy and franchise development

Key Responsibilities:

• Defines and articulates autoimmune programs and portfolio strategy
• Leads cross-functional product development teams responsible for novel autoimmune therapies in Type I diabetes and dermatology through early-stage clinical development
• Creates strategic and integrated product development plans aligned with business objectives and are differentiated from competitor products
• Derives and communicates recommendations for program strategy at governance meetings, and aligns with key stakeholders
• Ensures there are robust processes, plans and data to enable senior leadership to make investment decisions and prioritise projects across the portfolio
• Facilitate strategic scenario planning discussions, and in partnership with project management, work to identify critical issues, develop contingency plans
• Collaborates with other program leaders to ensure sound portfolio strategy and recognizes synergy across programs
• Owns and drives planning for programs from late-preclinical through early-stage development
• Supports pull-through from preclinical to clinical for new portfolio programs – works closely in partnership with head of autoimmune research to build robust data packages to support IND-filing and development
• Owns the larger autoimmune portfolio strategy including planning and championing therapeutic area growth and driving business development or collaboration
• Builds autoimmune capabilities within the company and is seen as a subject matter expert, particularly within Type I diabetes
• Accountability for overall program execution
• Effectively manages/mitigates/communicates project risks, makes decisions, and manages conflict and change
• Serves as the single point of accountability for the program team, and drive key program decisions through appropriate governance forums, where appropriate
• Builds high performing teams, ensuring adequate resources in place to support program strategy, and in partnership with Functional Leadership resolve any team performance issues, working with line managers to develop team members
• Ensures that the program team implements its plans and adheres to key development milestones
• Develops solutions for barriers to executing program strategy, taking into account specific functional needs and fills in gaps to execute programs
• Uses good judgement to ensure program moves forward swiftly – making decisions for program as needed, and raising issues when appropriate
• Drives team objective setting for program-related activities
• Collaborates effectively with functional leaders to ensure program alignment and develops an understanding of functional issues affecting the program, and then partners to create solutions
• Works with Business Development to effectively manage collaborations/ partnerships when appropriate & champions new collaborations that are important to the strategy of the program and return value to the business
• In collaboration with project management, monitors program financials, ensuring resources in place to support program goals, and escalate resource needs, where appropriate

Education, Experience and Knowledge:

Essential Qualifications:
PhD or MD highly preferred
20+ years’ experience in pharma/biotech or related industry
Prior experience in Type I Diabetes and the broader autoimmune therapeutic area
Prior experience in R&D leadership positions in pharma/biotech required
Excellent analytical and strategic abilities
Deep understanding of the drug development process
Broad understanding of the evolving autoimmune development landscape
Experience leading in a global matrix environment across a range of functions, seniority, and locations.
Demonstrated ability to collate and structure information from multiple sources to form a clear narrative and distil key issues
Demonstrated ability to influence and establish and maintain credibility with senior audiences
Demonstrated organizational and project management skills

Essential Competencies:
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Track record of good decision-making that is fact-based
Self-motivated, able to work autonomously
Ability to challenge, influence, and support senior leadership
Ability to bring structure to vaguely defined problems and solve them with creative yet pragmatic approaches
Ability to formulate cohesive strategic arguments
Resourceful, motivated, and proactive – strong drive for excellence
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a rapidly changing organization
Must demonstrate high integrity