Senior Director, Drug Development Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom, +3 more countries.

📋 Description

• Lead and manage intricate drug development programs and portfolios for clients in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

• Offer strategic direction to integrated, cross-functional drug development teams.

• Assess and formulate drug development strategies, which encompass Target Product Profiles (TPPs), Clinical Development Plans (CDPs), prioritization of indications, asset lifecycle management, and portfolio decision-making.

• Guide program governance tasks, including executive steering committees, portfolio evaluations, risk management, resolution of issues, milestone planning, and strategic decision-making forums.

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality outcomes that uphold scientific integrity, operational excellence, and fulfill customer expectations.

• Provide expertise in drug development for strategic business initiatives, due diligence, portfolio evaluations, and investment decisions.

• Mentor and develop Program Leaders, Project Managers, Clinical Scientists, and Drug Development Leaders through recruitment, coaching, mentoring, performance management, career growth, and succession planning.

• Create program leadership frameworks, methodologies, best practices, governance structures, performance metrics, and initiatives for continuous improvement.

• Enhance program leadership and project management capabilities across DDRS via competency frameworks, training, mentoring, and operational excellence initiatives.

• Enhance customer satisfaction through strategic direction and successful implementation of customer development programs.

• Engage in proposal development, solution design, bid defense presentations, strategic account planning, and customer relationship management.

• Support initiatives that enhance organizational growth, profitability, customer retention, and service excellence.

• Deliver educational services concerning drug development strategy, program leadership, governance, portfolio management, and operational excellence.

• Ensure adherence to business office protocols for tracking time, effort, quality, and performance metrics.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, PharmD, MD, MBA, or equivalent) or a comparable mix of education, training, and experience.

• Generally, 15–20+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO drug development with a global or multi-regional perspective.

• Substantial experience in senior strategic and operational leadership positions.

• Proven track record in leading complex drug development programs and portfolios across various therapeutic areas and stages of development.

• Experience in guiding integrated cross-functional development teams responsible for drug development strategy and execution.

• Proficiency in developing and executing TPPs, CDPs, indication selection strategies, development roadmaps, governance models, and portfolio strategies.

• Experience in providing strategic leadership and counsel to biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients.

• Demonstrated capability in people leadership, managing multidisciplinary teams and key drug development functions.

• Background within a CRO or biopharmaceutical organization.

• Comprehensive management and leadership knowledge across various functional domains.

• Exceptional skills in strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, organization, communication, and leadership.

• Client-centric and consultative approach.

• Ability to cultivate trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and function as a strategic advisor.

• Mastery of program leadership methodologies, portfolio management principles, governance frameworks, risk management practices, and organizational leadership techniques.

• Capability to link scientific and operational insights to business and development goals.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication capabilities, including executive presentations, governance boards, customer meetings, and strategic decision-making discussions.

• Commitment to quality, delivery excellence, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

• Proven history of achieving or surpassing business, customer, organizational, and operational objectives.

• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, project/program management tools, and portfolio management practices.

• Early development experience in translational medicine, clinical pharmacology, biomarker strategy, CMC, or similar fields is highly desirable.

• Acknowledged strategic thought leadership in drug development and program management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunities for leadership, career development, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.

• Access to training programs and mentoring initiatives.

• Involvement in publications, white papers, blogs, industry conferences, webinars, and customer forums.

• Availability of internal and external educational services.

• Chance to contribute to the expansion of IQVIA's Drug Development Program Leadership capabilities.