VP, Head of Cell & Genetic Medicines, Discovery

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Cambridge, MA

6d•$218,000 - $401,350•Hybrid

About The Position

The VP, Head of Cell & Genetic Medicines, Discovery will define and build the next generation of cell and genetic medicines capabilities, with a focus on advancing in vivo approaches and overcoming delivery and targeting challenges that limit today’s therapies. In this highly competitive field, this leader will build and sustain Innovative Medicine’s state-of-the-art discovery platform, delivering differentiated clinical candidates each year. This role will report into the Global Head of Therapeutics Discovery within Innovative Medicine Research and Development and serve on the Therapeutics Discovery leadership team, helping to formulate and execute the strategic direction and priorities for discovery within Innovative Medicine. The Global Head will be responsible for building and maintaining a differentiated set of capabilities across engineered cell therapies and RNA-based medicines, driving technical and intellectual leadership across programs. This leader will partner across Therapeutic Areas (Immunology, Oncology, and Neuroscience) and Discovery Product Development and Supply (DPDS) to ensure end-to-end sustainability and viability of current and future programs, including the development and deployment of RNA-based therapeutic approaches (e.g., siRNA and emerging programmable RNA modalities).

Requirements

A Ph.D. in a biologically related discipline and a minimum of 12 years of experience, with a strong track record of individual and team-level contributions to discovery programs or approved drugs.
Expert knowledge and experience in Cell Therapy discovery and development (preferably both autologous and in vivo approaches).
Significant experience in biopharmaceutical R&D, with a demonstrated track record of leadership in cell therapy, genetic medicines, immunology, oncology, engineered cell therapy, gene editing, RNA-based medicines, or related advanced modalities where delivery and targeting are key constraints.
Demonstrated ability to define and evolve discovery platforms, technology roadmaps, and innovation strategies that support current assets and future pipeline growth.
The candidate’s deep scientific track record should be documented through inventorship and a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.
The ability to present both internally to senior leaders and externally documented through a history of giving presentations at major scientific meetings and experience presenting to senior leaders within previous roles.
Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring scientific team(s), with both direct and indirect people management experience, and an ability to grow and develop talent at multiple levels.
The successful candidate will have significant leadership and people management experience in complex organizations and will have shown the ability to navigate and lead within a highly matrixed environment.
Previous experience with prioritizing competing portfolio demands, managing budgets and internal/ external resources, and operational leadership across multiple sites/teams is also required.
A record of success in partnering effectively with multiple, diverse types of research organizations, including academic institutions, contract research organizations, and public-private consortia should also be demonstrated.
Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

Set the vision, strategy, and scientific agenda for Cell & Genetic Medicines Discovery, leading a world-class organization delivering differentiated therapeutic candidates and platform innovations.
Lead the discovery portfolio from target identification and validation through preclinical proof-of-concept and candidate nomination, with clear achievements, decision criteria, and success metrics.
Build and scale next-generation discovery platforms spanning engineered cell therapies (autologous and emerging in vivo approaches), nucleic acid therapeutics (RNA modulation and targeted delivery systems), delivery platforms enabling tissue- and cell-specific targeting and controlled or repeat dosing strategies.
Drive innovation across modalities where delivery, durability, and manufacturability are the primary constraints, including in vivo cell therapy approaches and programmable RNA-based medicines.
Embed translational science and human biology into discovery decision-making, ensuring programs are supported by relevant disease models, biomarkers, pharmacodynamic strategies, and evidence that increases probability of clinical success.
Establish differentiated capabilities in delivery science, recognizing delivery as a central determinant of clinical success across genetic medicines and in vivo cell therapy.
Lead a high-performing function, attracting and developing top scientific and leadership talent while building succession plans and critical capabilities.
Cultivate a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration, encouraging data-driven experimentation, thorough decision-making, and agile portfolio progression.
Partner effectively with senior leaders across the enterprise to align discovery activities with therapeutic area priorities, portfolio strategy, resource allocation, and long-term business objectives.
Establish and manage external innovation partnerships in scientific forums, collaborations, and strategic engagements while adding to the company’s reputation as a leader in advanced therapeutic discovery.
Own governance, resourcing, and operational excellence for the function, including budget oversight, prioritization of discovery-stage investments, and pipeline delivery.

Benefits

Consolidated retirement plan (pension)
Savings plan (401(k))
Long-term incentive program
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year (may vary by state)
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year