Head of Platform Partnerships - Vaccine

Sanofi•Washington, DC

1d•$206,250 - $297,917•Onsite

About The Position

As Head of Platform Partnerships - Vaccine as part of the Vaccines R&D team, you’ll be responsible for providing responsible for overarching R&D coordination and management of external evaluations, collaborations, MTAs, partnerships relating to the Sanofi Vaccines Adjuvant platforms and mRNA platforms. Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization. The Head of Platform Partnerships is responsible for overarching R&D coordination and management of external evaluations, collaborations, MTAs, partnerships relating to the Sanofi Vaccines Adjuvant platforms and mRNA platforms. The incumbent serves as a first point of contact within R&D for all external-facing activities specific to the platform technologies within scope. The role includes reactive management of incoming requests for platforms evaluations and supply agreements as well as proactive scouting of strategic opportunities for partnerships, and alliances. The incumbent works closely alongside relevant Global Platform Leads, Sanofi project teams, with External R&D and with Business Development and Legal. The role's purpose is to ensure value creation from Sanofi Vaccine platform technologies through scientific data and knowledge generation that in turn informs and de-risks internal projects, may lead to in-licensing opportunities for new programs and financial value creation through platform supply and out-licensing agreements in key strategic areas.

Requirements

Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent.
Advanced degree MBA is preferred.
10+ years leadership experience in pharmaceutical environment including exposure to R&D, Business Development, Finance, Legal and Intellectual Property.
Proven leadership experience in complex, matrixed environments
Business acumen & Financial Management Excellence in high value creation, high‑uncertainty, high‑investment pharmaceutical context
Strategic partnership creation and management.
Strong knowledge and experience of the end-to-end vaccine/pharma development value chain.
Strategic & Tactical thinking – Ability to translate strategy into actionable partnerships.
People Leadership – Mobilizes global teams, drives alignment, and inspires action.
Influence & Stakeholder Management – Skilled in communicating across operational, and executive levels
Communication skills – Excellent communication to drive clarity and optimal alignment both internally and externally
Decision-making & prioritization – Acts with clarity and focus under pressure.
Conflict resolution – Navigates tensions constructively to reach shared outcomes.
Continuous learning – Embraces growth, curiosity, and adaptability
Collaboration – Builds trust and works seamlessly across teams and functions.
Action-oriented – Solves problems pragmatically and drives execution
Cross-Function agility – Operates effectively in worldwide multicultural matrix environments.
Adaptability – Adjusts style and approach to fit shifting contexts and needs.

Responsibilities

Be the first point of contact within R&D for all incoming requests for evaluations, collaborations and supply agreements relating to the Adjuvant and mRNA platforms. Evaluate and prioritize such requests based on scientific and strategic value to Sanofi.
Partner with relevant Global Platform Lead and New Vaccines project teams to provide scientific Input and when relevant to create workplans.
Partner with External R&D and Business Development as needed to ensure appropriate governance and Legal framework is applied to external collaborations and partnerships
Ensure external relationships are documented, tracked and followed up in a timely and structured manner, ensuring internal compliance and coordination and external relationship and reputation management
Lead cross-functional teams to evaluate such opportunities and be the R&D Lead on resulting due diligence exercises.
Act in an Alliance Manager role within the R&D function to help oversee and manage ongoing external strategic partnerships.
Work alongside BD, Legal and IP as R&D Lead to ensure appropriate governance and compliance with Sanofi processes throughout.
Ensure documentation, tracking and reporting in a timely and structured manner to drive internal alignment, transparency and compliance.