Head of Platform Partnerships and Outlicensing - Vaccine

Main Responsibilities

• External collaborations coordination and oversight
• Be the first point of contact within R&D for all incoming requests for evaluations, collaborations and supply agreements relating to the Adjuvant and mRNA platforms.
• Evaluate and prioritize such requests based on scientific and strategic value to Sanofi.
• Partner with relevant Global Platform Lead and New Vaccines project teams to provide scientific input and when relevant to create workplans.
• Partner with External R&D and Business Development as needed to ensure appropriate governance and Legal framework is applied to external collaborations and partnerships.
• Ensure external relationships are documented, tracked and followed up in a timely and structured manner, ensuring internal compliance and coordination and external relationship and reputation management.
• Proactively scout, identify and manage external platform out-licensing and supply opportunities.
• Identify and lead opportunities for financial value creation through key strategic external opportunities to out-license Sanofi's Adjuvants or mRNA technologies.
• Lead cross-functional teams to evaluate such opportunities and be the R&D Lead on resulting due diligence exercises.
• Inact an Alliance Manager role within the R&D function to help oversee and manage ongoing external strategic partnerships.
• Work alongside BD, Legal and IP as R&D Lead to ensure appropriate governance and compliance with Sanofi processes throughout.
• Ensure documentation, tracking and reporting in a timely and structured manner to drive internal alignment, transparency and compliance.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Advanced degree MBA is preferred.
• 10+ years leadership experience in pharmaceutical environment including exposure to R&D, Business Development, Finance, Legal and Intellectual Property.
• Proven leadership experience in complex, matrixed environments.
• Business acumen & Financial Management.
• Excellence in high value creation, high-uncertainty, high-investment pharmaceutical context.
• Strategic partnership creation and management.
• Strong knowledge and experience of the end-to-end vaccine/pharma development value chain.

Skills And Abilities

• Strategic & Tactical thinking – Ability to translate strategy into actionable partnerships.
• People Leadership – Mobilizes global teams, drives alignment, and inspires action.
• Influence & Stakeholder Management – Skilled in communicating across operational, and executive levels.
• Communication skills – Excellent communication to drive clarity and optimal alignment both internally and externally.
• Decision-making & prioritization – Acts with clarity and focus under pressure.
• Conflict resolution – Navigates tensions constructively to reach shared outcomes.
• Continuous learning – Embraces growth, curiosity, and adaptability.
• Collaboration – Builds trust and works seamlessly across teams and functions.
• Action-oriented – Solves problems pragmatically and drives execution.
• Cross-Function agility – Operates effectively in worldwide multicultural matrix environments.
• Adaptability – Adjusts style and approach to fit shifting contexts and needs.