Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF), Vaccines R&D

Location: Swiftwater, PA

About the role

The Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF), Vaccines R&D, will be responsible for building and sustaining Sanofi Vaccines’ network of external public and private organizations that will enable the success of the New Vaccine Portfolio through broad strategic partnerships and external funding projects. Reporting to the Global Head, Strategic and Scientific Partnerships, the Global Head-SPF provides strategic, scientific, and operational leadership of current and new global public-private partnerships while maintaining timelines and budget. The role oversees regional leads for UK/Europe and Middle East, Americas, France, and Asia Pacific.

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you'll help advance prevention on a global scale and shape the future of immunization. Join the engine of Sanofi's mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Sanofi Vaccines global external partnership strategy across the entire value chain (Research to Industrialization):
  • Engage key internal stakeholders (R&D, Vaccine Manufacturing & Supply, Vaccine Portfolio Strategy, Vaccines GBU Executive Committee) to articulate and validate priority gaps, needs for external partnerships, and external financing, defining clear metrics of success.
• Develop decision-making processes for selection and administration of grants, weighing benefits/risks of each funding opportunity and presenting recommendations to Vaccines leadership.
• Lead and manage the Science Partnerships and Funding Team within the Strategic and Scientific Partnerships Organization:
  • Recruit, manage, and develop a high-performing global team, ensuring operational excellence across the value chain while adapting to evolving global environments (e.g., public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, funder requirements, Vaccines GBU priorities).
• Develop and execute global/regional external stakeholder/funder engagement plans:
  • Build and maintain a global network of partners and funders (US, EU, UK, Asia/Pacific, Middle East, Americas) and implement robust engagement plans.
  • Collaborate with Sanofi’s regional organizations (Public Affairs, Global Medical Affairs, Commercial Operations) to deliver on objectives.
• Develop and execute robust processes for partnership submission and administration:
  • Oversee responses to Request-For-Proposals (RFPs) from external funding agencies by mobilizing cross-functional Sanofi teams (Business Development, Legal, R&D, Global Project Heads, Manufacturing & Supply, Finance).
  • Define objectives and value propositions for partnerships by engaging external partners and internal R&D/business stakeholders.
  • Organize cross-functional teams and define processes for administering grants/partnerships, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Report progress to the Global Vaccine Business Executive Committee, project steering committees, and Portfolio Leadership on partnership opportunities, activities, and their impact on the vaccine business.
• Develop key performance indicators for external grants, assess associated risks, and implement mitigation plans with stakeholder engagement.
• Investigate non-conventional and innovative funding streams and partnership models to support R&D/infrastructure investments, assessing strategic fit and pursuing opportunities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bacteriology, virology, immunology, infectious diseases, or a related discipline; or an M.D. or Pharm.D.
• 10+ years of post-graduate work experience.
• Experience in establishing public-private partnerships.
• Resourceful and up-to-date on emerging partnership opportunities for Sanofi Vaccines.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across levels and manage through influence.
• Proven team leadership and negotiation skills.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written).
• Ability to work in international settings.

Benefits

• Supportive, future-focused team environment with opportunities for career growth through promotions, lateral moves, or international assignments.
• Comprehensive rewards package recognizing contributions and amplifying impact.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs, and at least 14 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave.
• Work at the forefront of AI-driven research, smart manufacturing, and groundbreaking mRNA platforms redefining immunology.
• Contribute to protecting half a billion people annually through global vaccination efforts.
• Access to mentoring, international mobility programs, and career development opportunities across four continents.