Head of Risk Management Center of Excellence

Pfizer • New York City, NY

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of the Risk Management Center of Excellence (RMCoE) is a senior leadership role within Worldwide Safety, responsible for advancing the science and practice of benefit-risk and safety risk management across Pfizer’s portfolio. This leader sets strategy and establishes fit-for-purpose standards for risk management planning, risk communication, risk minimization, and benefit-risk assessment, translating new methods and external developments into practical, high-quality approaches for Pfizer programs and products.

The role leads the RMCoE and provides strategic direction to Safety Risk Leads and Risk Management Product Leads supporting product risk management governance. It partners with business and cross-functional stakeholders on risk management planning, forecasting, portfolio oversight, and implementation, promoting consistency from development through post-approval. The position reports to the Head of Risk Assessment and Management (RAM) and requires deep pharmacovigilance and global risk management expertise, strong scientific and regulatory judgment, and leadership through influence in a highly matrixed organization.

The role works across Worldwide Safety, Risk Assessment and Management, clinical development, medical, regulatory, epidemiology, statistics, business units, quality, digital/technology, and other partner functions. It also engages external experts, service providers, regulators, academic collaborators, and industry organizations as appropriate. The work location assignment is hybrid.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in medicine, pharmacy, public health, epidemiology, or another relevant health or life science discipline.
• 10+ years of broad, progressive pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience across pharmacovigilance, drug safety, clinical development, medical, regulatory, or a closely related discipline, including substantial experience in safety risk management and benefit-risk assessment.
• Demonstrated experience leading global drug safety risk management planning and developing or overseeing Risk Management Plans for products across the lifecycle.
• Deep understanding of global pharmacovigilance and risk management requirements, including risk characterization, risk minimization, risk communication, and evaluation of effectiveness.
• Experience developing strategy and translating complex scientific, regulatory, and operational issues into clear decisions and executable plans.
• Demonstrated people leadership, including building teams, developing talent, coaching senior professionals, and leading through organizational change.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment and decisions in a complex, global, matrixed environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to scientific, regulatory, business, and executive audiences.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of independence, judgment, and accountability.
• Leadership capabilities including influencing and collaborating with peers, developing and coaching others, overseeing and guiding colleagues’ work, and delivering meaningful outcomes and business impact.
• Experience using common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, and understanding responsible AI practices, risk management, and ethical use.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. by any employer; U.S. work visa sponsorship is not available. The position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• MD, PharmD, or equivalent clinical/medical degree.
• Experience leading a risk management center of excellence or comparable global pharmacovigilance, benefit-risk, or safety strategy function.
• Experience with both clinical development and post-marketing safety, providing an integrated view of risk management across the product lifecycle.
• Contribution to external scientific, regulatory, academic, or industry collaborations related to risk management or benefit-risk assessment.
• Experience overseeing portfolio metrics, forecasting, budgets, vendors, or outsourced activities in a global environment.
• Track record of advancing innovative methods, digital capabilities, analytics, or process improvements in pharmacovigilance or risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the RMCoE and define strategic direction for risk management sciences, including risk management planning, risk communication, risk minimization, and benefit-risk assessment methodologies.
• Drive the development, adoption, and timely implementation of innovative, evidence-based risk management approaches across the Pfizer portfolio.
• Provide strategic guidance to Safety Risk Leads and Risk Management Product Leads supporting product risk management governance, promoting quality, consistency, and alignment in Risk Management Plans and related strategies.
• Oversee clear, relevant, and effective risk communication approaches, including methods for evaluating the effectiveness of risk minimization measures.
• Serve as a standing member of relevant risk management governance and advisory committees, contributing enterprise and product-level perspectives.
• Lead portfolio-level oversight of Risk Management Plan activities, including status visibility, planning, forecasting, performance information, and integration of measures into pharmacovigilance dashboards.
• Oversee Risk Management Plan budget planning and forecasting and work with business partners to anticipate portfolio demand and resource needs.
• Maintain and evolve a standardized risk management process and methodology library, and enable knowledge sharing and application of lessons learned across programs and products.
• Monitor changes in the global regulatory, scientific, and supplier environment; assess implications for Pfizer and translate them into actionable strategies, standards, and program activities.
• Establish and manage internal and external collaborations that advance risk management science and develop innovative approaches that add value for patients and Pfizer products.
• Shape external engagement and communication strategies that strengthen understanding of Pfizer’s approach to product safety risk management.
• Partner with the Head of RAM and other leaders to support continuity of risk assessment and risk management strategy across the product lifecycle, from pre-approval development through post-approval use.
• Build, lead, coach, and develop an engaged, high-performing team; provide accountability, talent development, succession planning, and an inclusive environment aligned with Pfizer values.
• Ensure activities comply with applicable regulations, Pfizer policies and procedures, and quality and compliance expectations.
• Use common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to support problem solving and productivity, with curiosity about improving outcomes and understanding of responsible AI practices, risk management, and ethical use.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
• Eligible to participate in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan, with a bonus target of 25% of base salary.
• Eligible to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program.
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
• Comprehensive benefits and programs intended to support colleagues’ health and life needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior