Associate Director, Discovery Business Operations

About the role

This position is responsible for facilitating strategic planning and execution within an R&D therapeutic area. Provides individual leadership and consultation for complex transformational business programs in close collaboration with the therapeutic area head and the respective leadership team. Directly supports therapeutic area head with development, communication and execution of strategic business programs and executive projects to advance the business.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates the creation of the Business Strategy through a futuristic perspective, and defines the mission, strategic imperatives, and goals in partnership with the respective R&D leadership team.
• Manages the execution and measurement of the strategy.
• Provide forward looking portfolio and resource analyses.
• Accountable for short- and long-term forecasting of financial and headcount resource needs in various scenarios.
• Partner with therapeutic area head in the financial planning process for future initiatives and projects, forecasting and roll-up.
• Facilitate discussions with therapeutic area head for Long Range Plan, yearly budget cycles and monthly forecasting updates based on latest best estimate.
• Provide leadership and develop strategic recommendations to departments to ensure area operates within the current financial plan/update budget.
• Analyzes and identifies budget favorability/unfavorability and provides recommendations for strategy with a Discovery-wide perspective.
• Partner with TA VPs to financially plan upcoming initiatives and projects.
• Partners with R&D finance to address all questions and requests.
• Adheres to all corporate financial guidelines, ethics and compliance standards.
• Leads cross departmental and cross-functional efforts to achieve functional strategies and goals.
• Effectively frames complex issues for decision-makers and peers.
• Prepares and delivers effective management presentations to R&D leadership team.
• Drafts compelling business cases that prompt appropriate action.
• Develops and executes change management strategies or successful project planning and management of highly complex business and technology initiatives.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent & 4-10+ years, MS or equivalent & 6-12+ years, or BS & 8-14+ years postdoc/industry experience, including 7+ years of leadership responsibility, is required.
• Advanced degree in related scientific field preferred (e.g., MS or Ph.D. in Oncology, Chemistry, etc.). MBA or Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• 3-6+ years of work experience in the area supported (e.g. Discovery, Development) and 3-6+ years in pharmaceutical, healthcare or regulated industry required.
• Strong management skills with proven effective leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-divisional and multi-functional teams with global aspects.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience in managing functional budgets and developing budget forecasts.
• Strong business acumen and effective negotiation skills.
• Experience working in a complex and matrix environment.
• Proven track record of developing and executing change management strategies or successful project planning and management of highly complex business and technology initiatives is preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent & 4-10+ years, MS or equivalent & 6-12+ years, or BS & 8-14+ years postdoc/industry experience, including 7+ years of leadership responsibility, is required.
• Advanced degree in related scientific field preferred (e.g., MS or Ph.D. in Oncology, Chemistry, etc.). MBA or Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• 3-6+ years of work experience in the area supported (e.g. Discovery, Development) and 3-6+ years in pharmaceutical, healthcare or regulated industry required.
• Strong management skills with proven effective leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-divisional and multi-functional teams with global aspects.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Experience in managing functional budgets and developing budget forecasts.
• Strong business acumen and effective negotiation skills.
• Experience working in a complex and matrix environment.
• Proven track record of developing and executing change management strategies or successful project planning and management of highly complex business and technology initiatives is preferred.

Benefits

Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees. This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Pay

No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

Schedule

N/A