Global Program Leader

Gates Foundation•Cambridge, MA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

At the Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI), a Global Program Leader (GPL) is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading a Global Program Team (GPT). A GPL will either lead one late-stage development program for a candidate medicinal product or one or more early-stage or platform-development programs. Reporting to the Head of Strategic Development, the GPL will work in close partnership with the Gates MRI Leadership Team (Gates MRI LT). In this role, the GPL will also spearhead Gates MRI’s efforts on operationalizing collaborative efforts in Global Health product development related to the respective program(s) they oversee. This will require ensuring operational alignment between the Gates MRI and the Gates Foundation (GF), and if applicable, The World Health Organization, and related pharmaceutical industry partners (sponsors, CROs, outsourced vendors, etc.) to facilitate and manage the timely delivery of the respective Gates MRI Program(s). As the voice of the GPT, the GPL represents the program to leadership (i.e. Gates MRI LT, Portfolio Review Committee, and Board of Directors) and serves as the principal liaison and partner to other groups. The GPL will work closely with business development and legal during the licensing process and lead initiatives with program-related external business partners. As the accountable owner of their respective program(s) the GPL leads and chairs the GPT, leading the creation and maintenance of both, a candidate Target Product Profile (cTPP) and an Integrated Product Development Plan (IPDP), which defines and lays out the program strategy. The GPL will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure alignment of product development activities with program strategy. In this role, the GPL will drive the program team to develop a cohesive program plan with timelines, budget, and measurable milestones. The individual will be an independent thinker, self-motivated, outstanding team player, with an ability to influence, collaborate, and communicate effectively on behalf of the GPT and the Gates MRI both internally and externally. The successful candidate will have a track record that demonstrates a shared passion and drive to achieve results in a complex and fast paced environment. An overview summary of accountabilities and responsibilities includes the following:

Requirements

15+ years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with in-depth experience in leading product development teams.
Has demonstrated agility in working across different therapeutic areas and/ or functions and has the credibility to lead cross functional team of experts who are experienced in their own domains.
Advanced life-science degree (MS, PhD, MD/PhD, or PharmD) preferred, working knowledge of new therapeutic interventions, such as gene therapies and RNA therapies desired
PMP certification, formal project management and leadership training a plus
Experience in leading cross functional teams
Knowledge of developing countries and emerging markets globally is highly desired
Leadership in R&D operations and building efficient processes and tools to optimize project team effectiveness and portfolio decision making
Demonstrated leadership of complex projects, both internally and in the setting of partnerships, with a demonstrated ability to bring multiple stakeholders together
Ability to translate abstract ideas to tangible project plans and milestones
Present at senior levels and represent the Gates MRI at executive forums (e.g. The WHO, Gates Foundation, global conferences, collaboration with large pharma, etc.)
Strong diplomacy, communication skills and interpersonal skills; ability to influence others in a matrixed organization
High level of change agility and a track record of leading through ambiguity

Responsibilities

Cross functional program leadership for pharmaceutical products/ vaccines to enable development through various pre-clinical/ clinical stages resulting in a submission/ approval
Working closely with Gates Foundation (GF) and Gates MRI to drive the program through governance, make decisions to get program resources needed for successful execution.
Develops a cross-functional team culture in the GPT (Global Program Team) to test and refine the strategy, working across functional teams and sub-teams; managing all stakeholders needed to support the program strategy
Ensures execution of functional plans along agreed timelines, monitor sub-teams to drive execution of plans against strategy
Establishes KPI/measures to measure success and progress.
Drives identification of critical path activities and the dependencies between those activities
Drives the GPT to develop cross functional plans with budgets and takes accountability for delivering the program on time and within proposed budgets, while informing the governance bodies of the risks and mitigation plans
Supports due diligence activities for assets that might enter the portfolio. May be actively involved in due diligence and contract negotiations, depending on the nature of the opportunity being evaluated.
Ensure that the integration of new programs, in-licensed or partnered, progresses according to plan and risks -affecting resources or timelines- are assessed and mitigated.
Challenges the GPT to think creatively about budgets and driving efficiencies across the system to develop frugal innovations for LMIC countries
Develop and foster the continued growth of cross functional collaboration with an enterprise level mindset for each GPT
Ensures development of risk and issue mitigation strategies.