Pharmaceutical Sciences Team Leader - Director

Pfizer • San Diego, CT

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Pharmaceutical Sciences Team Leader (PSTL) at the Director level is primarily focused on the delivery of medicines to patients through leadership of matrix teams and impactful science. This role also offers opportunities to drive initiatives for people development, business innovation, and operational excellence, which are strategic priorities for SMPS, PSSM, and PGS co-development. The PSTL will lead multiple interdisciplinary Pharmaceutical Sciences Project Teams (PSPTs) and Pharm. Sci/Pfizer Global Supply Co- Development Teams (CDTs), serving as the single point of accountability for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PS) on the Global Product Teams (GPTs) for assigned projects. The PSTL role encompasses End-to-End (E2E) project leadership, from Lead Development through filing and approval in major global markets, by aligning the Pharm Sci strategy and execution with the GPT and PGS for co-development programs. The Director Level PSTL is expected to pilot new Project Ways of Working for multiple PSPTs/CDTs and achieve results through demonstrated excellence in Actionable Attitudes. This role requires leveraging deep drug development experience and leadership skills to translate complex technical challenges and ambiguous situations into clear, creative options and well-thought-out team recommendations. The PSTL will utilize strong influencing skills and encourage innovative approaches and impactful science to shape development strategies and timelines, proactively anticipate risks and costs, and communicate them clearly and transparently to Pharm Sci, PGS, GPTs, TA governance, and stakeholders. At the Director level, the PSTL will also use organizational and leadership experience to enable SMPS to deliver on its strategic focus areas: people development, operational excellence, and innovation. Responsibilities include mentoring and supporting the growth of colleagues, identifying and driving business innovation opportunities, and leveraging expert knowledge of drug development.

Requirements

• BSc/MPharm/MEng or equivalent scientific, chemistry or pharmacy-based discipline, together with 12+ years of experience in CMC disciplines, or equivalent.
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
• Sustained, outstanding performance of at least 1-2 years at Director level.
• Proven track record of the ability to mentor/support more junior colleagues either as a PSTL or in a previous role.
• Adaptable leadership style, able to work with ambiguity, synthesize facts into a coherent & clear strategy and apply risk management, know the audience/understand customer needs, networking, calculated risk taking, orthogonal thinking, creating value using data to tell the story and negotiation.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading matrix project teams and gathering input from colleagues and management to address project-related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve complex multi-disciplinary problems and work with the team to develop options to support short & long-term goals and set direction for team even in ambiguous situations.
• Sound knowledge of the drug development process.
• Advanced technical knowledge within the applicant’s own discipline as well as a strong knowledge of other disciplines within and external to Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Demonstrated ability in using high level of scientific judgement and business acumen to analyze risk and lead team through options/issues encountered in development.
• High awareness of personal limits and a willingness to proactively consult others to ensure quality of judgement.
• Demonstrated influencing and negotiating skills; and proven skills in developing others within own functional area.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, scheduling, forecasting, including the use of relevant IT tools.
• Proven track record of leading strategic initiatives/LDT and associated delivery of impactful metrics-driven results.
• A living example and a strong advocate of Pfizer’s actionable attitudes: progress over perfection, rise above, embrace uncertainty, challenge convention, anchor in trust and engage with compassion.
• Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
• Permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• PhD is desirable.
• Experience in managing direct reports or participation in management teams is highly desirable.
• AI fluency is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor assigned PSPTs and CDTs, comprised of scientists from all key CMC disciplines, with responsibility for PS strategy development and execution for assigned projects.
• Ensure deliverables are of high quality, on time & budget, and within the agreed risk profile.
• Represent PS as a member of the GPT, responsible for driving overall CMC strategy for assigned projects, including internal and in-licensed medicines.
• Work with key stakeholders in PSSM, Global Clinical Supplies (GCS), Global CMC, Commercial, Clinical, PGS, and other partner lines to define the product concept and lead the operational planning for assigned projects.
• Provide a single point of accountability for all PSSM aspects of assigned projects, interacting with stakeholders at all levels of management and portfolio governance to convey project information and manage expectations.
• Communicate project insights, CMC strategy, and risks to all stakeholders clearly, succinctly, and in a timely manner.
• Be responsible for planning and forecasting team budgets and resources, working with PSSM project managers to develop plans in RAPID (Planisware) and actively manage budgets, plans, and forecasts.
• Work with Procurement and External Development & Manufacturing Solutions (EDMS) to manage interactions with 3rd party manufacturers and other vendors necessary for the projects.
• When relevant to assigned projects, partner with Business Development leads in out-licensing of projects or working with an external partner for in-licensing and/or co-developing a candidate.
• Act as an ambassador for PSSM, Co-Development, and the GPT at internal PSSM governance meetings.
• Represent PSSM viewpoints to governance bodies and other key stakeholders outside PSSM, educating stakeholders on PSSM needs, opportunities, risks, and best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within PSSM and across Pfizer through activities such as “Lessons Learned” exercises.
• Leverage extensive project leadership experience and pivotal skills to contribute to and/or lead important SMPS and/or PSSM initiatives, including enabling people (mentoring, recruitment, supervision, training), advancing operational excellence (sharing best practices, strengthening governance, business development), and driving innovation (efficiency through AI & digital tools, Limited Duration Teams, designing new business processes, managing change).

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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