Senior Director, Head of R&D Resource Management

About the role

The Senior Director, Head of R&D Resource Management is a strategic leader accountable for defining, scaling, and institutionalizing the global R&D Resource Management vision, strategy, and operating model. This role bridges global Research & Development (R&D) functional lines, drug development project teams, corporate finance, and executive governance committees to ensure optimal allocation of resources and strategic alignment across the therapeutic portfolio. The incumbent will serve as a transformative leader in leveraging cutting-edge analytics, enterprise algorithmic forecasting, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform resource demand forecasting into predictive, data-driven insights. By deploying modern methodologies, including advanced Planisware algorithm design and next-generation Named Allocation workforce planning tools, this leader will establish on-demand data trust, drive functional capacity utilization, and guide executive decision-making across all stages of pharmaceutical development.

Responsibilities

• Define & Execute Strategy: Formulate and lead the multi-year strategic vision, roadmap, and operating standards for Resource Management across Research, and Development functions.
• Integrated Working Model: Establish and maintain an integrated operational working model connecting Functional Line Management, Global Program Teams (GPTs), R&D Finance, and Governance Committees.
• Governance Alignment: Serve as the core authoritative voice for functional capacity, demand trade-offs, and resource bottleneck resolutions during quarterly portfolio reviews, Annual Operating Plans (AOP), and Long-Range Plans (LRP).
• AI & Predictive FTE Forecasting: Lead the strategic application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models to enhance Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) demand forecasting accuracy based on historical effort, trial complexities, and portfolio velocity.
• Planisware Algorithm Optimization: Oversee the architectural design, calibration, and optimization of Planisware algorithms and resource driver models to dynamically estimate workload based on clinical stage, drug modality, and operational complexity.
• Data Integrity & Functional Trust: Build absolute trust and confidence with functional heads through transparent baseline metrics, standardized benchmarking, automated validation checks, and on-demand data access.
• Named Allocation Leadership: Sponsor and roll out next-generation workforce management software, specifically leading the deployment of Named Allocation tools to transition the organization from generic FTE estimations to role- and individual-level workforce planning.
• Workload Balancing & Bottleneck Resolution: Manage a team that proactively analyzes resource supply versus demand across therapeutic areas to identify functional constraints, skills shortages, and burn-out risks, partnering with functions.
• Enterprise Reporting Suite: Own the strategy, design, and delivery of all global R&D resource analytics, dynamic dashboards, executive scorecard metrics, and enterprise portfolio reporting.
• Scenario Planning & Options Analysis: Lead quantitative scenario modeling for portfolio prioritization, operational trade-off analyses, budget cuts, pipeline expansions, and business development integration.
• Actuals vs. Forecast Analysis: Establish robust processes for capturing timecard/effort actuals and analyzing variance against original forecasts to drive continuous model refinement.
• Executive Influencing: Partner with and influence Functional Vice Presidents, Global Program Leaders,