Head of Global Portfolio and Program Management

Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute•Cambridge, MA

4d•$480,000 - $700,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) is a non-profit biopharmaceutical development organization focused on creating interventions for diseases affecting the world's poorest populations. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, the Institute advances drug, biologic, and vaccine candidates through late-stage development and registration. It comprises experienced professionals in regulatory, CMC, and clinical functions, supported by comprehensive operational teams. The Institute operates based on five core values: Urgency, Collaboration, Innovation, Rigor, and Courage. As a subsidiary of the Gates Foundation, it partners with the foundation to achieve global health equity. The Head of Global Portfolio and Program Management is a critical senior leadership role responsible for the execution of product development strategies and portfolio planning for Gates MRI. This anticipatory leader will ensure organizational focus on the pipeline's needs and complexity, driving development forward. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the Leadership Team, this role requires strong credibility with senior stakeholders, the ability to influence, and a robust understanding of product development to partner effectively with peers and global health partners.

Requirements

15+ years of relevant industry experience in portfolio and cross-functional project management of product development teams.
Extensive experience with the planning and execution of strategies for drug / vaccine product development.
Project management experience through all phases of product development from translational medicine, including early product development through late stage/pivotal trials.
Sufficient skill and technical understanding of product development to be a recognized product development leader/expert within the global health community.
Proven strength in structured problem solving across teams and functions.
Proven strength in strategic business planning.
Ability to synthesize disparate information and critically analyze complex situations.
Experience with portfolio management and project management tools.
Excels in strategy development both short- and long-term.
Hires, retains and coaches project leaders to develop and lead cross-functional teams in drug development.
Proven ability to analyze, integrate, recommend, contribute to development of conceptual plans for and lead implementation of strategic, process and team improvements and change initiatives across the organization.
Influencing without authority across the functions in Gates MRI, our partners and vendors.
Effective at energizing others, establishing clear goals, delegating responsibility, mentoring, and coaching within a team setting.
Managing complex and highly dynamic, technical organizations to work collaboratively toward a common vision.
Capacity to make budget tradeoffs and decisions that drive resource allocation decisions, including both financial and human resources.
Demonstrated passion for the Gates MRI’s values with a commitment to deliver results against our mission.
Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Advanced relevant scientific degree preferred (E.g., MS, Pharm.D or PhD. in a related scientific field).
Ability to seek out and evaluate new tools as they become available.

Responsibilities

Leading a group of Global Project Leaders and Managers who lead cross-functional project teams.
Supporting a portfolio of product candidates from early preclinical development to late-stage clinical development and potentially through product registration.
Managing the overall portfolio, evaluating progress, and tracking resource requirements.
Setting priorities and re-evaluating as needed, identifying resource gaps and management options.
Making decisions on the overall operations of the Gates MRI.
Hiring and mentoring Global Project Leaders for complex development programs in Global Health, including budget and strategic resource planning.
Providing mentorship to program teams and ensuring MRI programs operate effectively in a partnership model and integrated ecosystem.
Fostering a culture of cost-optimized innovation and successful partnerships within cross-functional program teams.
Seeking out and embracing innovative approaches to project management, including the use of electronic systems for data transfer and visualization.
Supporting collaborations with diverse partners including academia, biotech, pharma, governments, CROs, and global health product development partners.
Overseeing project/portfolio governance, including the monthly Portfolio Review Committee (PRC), Asset Strategy Team Charter, transitioning projects into Gates MRI, and the annual refresh of the 4-Year Strategic Plan.
Acting as a strategic advisor to the CEO and partnering with Sr. Executives for internal and external strategic initiatives, including Board Meeting preparation and operationalizing Board-supported strategy.
Translating CEO priorities into clear KPIs and success indicators, visualizing and monitoring progress and risks, and establishing a clear decision-making framework for MRI.
Fostering and nurturing an environment where team members look forward to spending time together and getting to know each other.