Senior Director, R&D Strategy Execution & Transformation
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Key details
- Location
- United States
- Work style
- Remote
- Level
- Lead / Staff+
- Job type
- Full-time
- Experience
- 6–9 yrs
- Function
- Operations & Strategy
- Focus area
- other
- Posted
- 6h ago
Skills
About the role
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director, R&D Strategy Execution & Transformation based in the United States.
As Senior Director, R&D Strategy Execution & Transformation, you will play a pivotal role in translating global Research & Development priorities into impactful business outcomes. You will lead high-priority strategic initiatives and complex transformation programs, ensuring alignment across research, development, and corporate functions. Working closely with senior leadership, you will establish effective governance structures, strengthen operational performance, and drive organizational change. You will bring strategic vision and hands-on execution capabilities to improve processes, productivity, and decision-making across a global R&D organization. This highly visible leadership position offers the opportunity to influence business strategy, optimize operating models, and accelerate the development of innovative medicines. You will operate in a fast-paced, international, and collaborative environment where initiative, adaptability, and measurable results are essential.
Accountabilities:
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Lead strategic initiatives and transformation: Drive high-priority R&D transformation programs from initial strategy through implementation, ensuring clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and sustainable organizational impact.
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Establish program management structures: Design and lead strategic Program Management Offices (PMOs), defining workstreams, milestones, governance frameworks, risk management processes, and performance indicators.
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Drive cross-functional execution: Coordinate initiatives across Research, Development, and enabling functions, ensuring alignment, clear ownership, accountability, and timely resolution of operational challenges.
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Optimize operating models: Identify opportunities to improve R&D processes, organizational structures, operational effectiveness, and productivity, developing and implementing sustainable solutions.
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Strengthen governance and operational excellence: Support the continuous improvement of strategic planning, goal-setting, governance, and performance management frameworks across the R&D organization.
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Implement effective management systems: Establish operating rhythms, reporting structures, and decision-making processes that improve transparency, execution discipline, and organizational follow-through.
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Translate strategy into action: Partner with functional leaders to convert broad business priorities into structured workplans, actionable initiatives, defined responsibilities, and measurable deliverables.
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Advise senior leadership: Collaborate with R&D executives to address complex strategic and operational challenges, provide recommendations, and support critical business decisions.
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Prepare executive communications: Develop high-quality presentations, strategic updates, decision materials, and progress reports that translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
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Support leadership governance: Coordinate strategic reviews, executive forums, and other high-priority activities while ensuring visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and key decisions.
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Drive continuous improvement: Identify emerging organizational needs, contribute to new strategic initiatives, and adapt execution approaches as business priorities evolve.
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Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree is preferred.
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Preferred educational background includes a PhD with at least 6 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree with at least 8 years of experience. Exceptions may be considered for candidates with equivalent relevant professional experience.
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Significant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences consulting, corporate strategy, transformation, or R&D operations. Both consulting and industry backgrounds are valued.
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Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, particularly the Research