Senior/ Executive Director, Discovery-Oncology

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

1d•$204,000 - $351,900•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior/Executive Director, Discovery Oncology leads and guides oncology discovery research in selected cancer indications and defines and executes the strategy for Oncology Discovery. The role develops a portfolio of therapeutics addressing core oncology pathways, from project concept through entry into clinical trials. The position is available in Beerse, Belgium; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Spring House, Pennsylvania, and is described as hybrid. The leader oversees a global group of approximately 15–30 people, including regular employees, temporary contractors, and postdoctoral fellows. In partnership with Oncology leadership and clinical, strategy, and functional leaders, the role sets scientific strategy and builds a portfolio of assets for solid cancer indications. It manages resources across programs and labs, develops end-to-end portfolio strategy, and works with internal teams, external collaborators, academic and industry partners, innovation centers, and business development to advance discovery and evaluate external assets. The role provides management oversight, talent development, training, coaching, and guidance; promotes scientific quality and rigor; and ensures compliance with training and safe laboratory practices. It oversees and influences small- and large-molecule and cell-therapy discovery programs through identification and characterization of clinical candidates, directs implementation of technology and long-term research plans, and communicates strategy to senior stakeholders. The position also shapes a high-performance environment built around innovation, scientific excellence, urgency, leadership, and accountability.

Requirements

PhD and deep content knowledge in oncology.
12+/15+ years of demonstrated leadership and drug discovery experience in oncology; the posting states “12+/15+ years.”
Solid background in cellular, molecular, and/or immune tumor biology and a good understanding of the oncology therapeutic landscape.
Strong record of leading programs to identification of clinical candidates across modalities.
Strong publication record in the field.
Broad impact beyond individual projects, such as leading research platforms or target classes.
Demonstrated team leadership and people skills, including managing team members on different continents.
Experience influencing across organizational boundaries without direct authority and demonstrating enterprise thinking.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present scientific data and concepts to international standards.
Ability to shape and articulate a vision, attract and develop talent, and balance attention to detail with a broad perspective.

Nice To Haves

Experience in bladder or renal cell cancer.
Drug-device work experience.
A strong external network and recognition by peers as an expert in the field.
Experience leading or participating in a significant organizational change.

Responsibilities

Lead a global group of approximately 15–30 employees, temporary contractors, and postdoctoral fellows, guiding the group’s science with emphasis on quality and rigor.
Define and execute the scientific strategy for Oncology Discovery and for solid tumor indications, including development of an end-to-end portfolio of assets.
Partner with Oncology, clinical, strategy, and functional leaders to develop a portfolio of therapeutics addressing core oncology pathways, from concept through clinical-candidate identification and entry into clinical trials.
Manage resource allocation across programs, including resources shared across laboratories, and provide input on hiring, promotions, resources, and budget allocations.
Influence initiation and progression of small- and large-molecule and cell-therapy discovery programs through identification and characterization of clinical candidates.
Establish and run collaborations with academic, industry, and other external partners; work with innovation centers to evaluate new approaches, technologies, and targets.
Partner with business development to evaluate external assets and bring new molecules into the pipeline.
Provide management oversight, including talent development, training, coaching, and guidance for discovery scientists.
Ensure compliance with company training requirements and safe laboratory working practices for self and reports.
Ensure consistent experiments and data generation for target validation and progression through discovery stages.
Act as an ambassador for the discovery portfolio through frequent interactions with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Direct appropriate use and implementation of new technology and establish long-term research plans.
Identify novel scenarios and emerging scientific and technical opportunities in the relevant scientific area.
Communicate project strategy to others, including senior leadership, and build collaborative relationships while influencing key stakeholders across organizational boundaries.
Create a high-performance environment that values innovation, leadership, scientific excellence, urgency, and personal accountability; attract and cultivate talent.
Lead or contribute to significant organizational change and shape a vision that engages others in a change journey.

Benefits

Annual bonus with a target depending on pay grade and location; actual amount is based on employee and company performance in the previous calendar year, or sales commissions.
Vacation days.
Parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks.
Bereavement leave.
Caregiver leave.
Volunteer leave.
Well-being reimbursement.
Programs supporting financial, physical, and mental health.
Service anniversary and recognition awards.
Participation in insurance plans for employees and, in some locations, eligible dependents, subject to plan terms.