Global Head, R&D Program Management & Therapeutic Area Portfolio Operations
Location: King of Prussia, PA, USA or Maidenhead, UK
Work Arrangement: Hybrid ? Onsite three days per week
Reports To: Vice President, Portfolio & Operations Excellence, CSL Behring
About CSL Behring
CSL Behring is a global biopharmaceutical leader committed to developing innovative therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases.
Our Immunology franchise is advancing a diverse pipeline targeting autoimmune and inflammatory conditions across rheumatology, neuroimmunology, and rare dermatology. Through scientific innovation and a commitment to patients, we strive to transform treatment options and address significant unmet medical needs.
Position Summary
Based on the assigned Therapeutic Area (TA), this global leadership role is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of R&D Program Management, Development Planning, Project Management, and Therapeutic Area Portfolio & Operations. The role oversees functional project management across the respective therapeutic area, including development and regulatory programs, New Product Development, and Life Cycle Management.
Acting as a strategic partner to Therapeutic Area and R&D leadership, this individual drives effective portfolio planning, enables agile project delivery, and ensures alignment across cross-functional teams and geographies. As a key member of the Portfolio & Operations Excellence (POE) Leadership Team, the role proactively identifies and removes barriers to execution, addresses organizational and operational challenges, and drives accountability to ensure successful delivery of the R&D portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
R&D Program Management & Leadership
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to a global team of development and regulatory project managers responsible for managing complex R&D programs across the therapeutic area portfolio, including New Product Development and Life Cycle Management.
- Establish strategic approaches to accelerate development planning and delivery across the R&D portfolio while balancing innovation, quality, timelines, cost, and resource requirements.
- Lead the identification of opportunities to accelerate projects, proactively assess risks, and develop pragmatic, flexible solutions that enable effective decision-making and execution.
- Serve as a key member of the POE Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and fostering a culture of connectivity, delivery, empowerment, and transformation.
- Identify organizational bottlenecks, structural challenges, and delivery risks, taking ownership of driving issues through to resolution.
- Provide direction, coaching, and guidance to Development Project Management staff to ensure consistent application of robust yet pragmatic project management practices, standards, and methodologies.
- Build project management capabilities and promote best practices, including scenario planning, optionality analysis, risk management, and the development and maintenance of fully integrated project plans.
- Drive consistent project management behaviors and continuous improvement across the organization, including facilitating after-action reviews (AARs) and incorporating lessons learned into future programs.
- Provide hands-on project management support and coaching when needed to address critical milestones, resolve challenges, or support project teams in achieving key objectives.
- Lead cross-R&D and broader CSL initiatives that support overall portfolio priorities and improve the organization\'s ability to deliver programs on time and within budget.
Therapeutic Area (TA) Portfolio & Operations
- Lead and manage Therapeutic Area Portfolio & Operations, providing strategic and operational support to the TA Co-Leads and Therapeutic Area Leadership Team (TALT).
- Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the therapeutic area in alignment with the Portfolio, Development & Commercial (PD&C) Framework, overseeing initiatives and projects to maximize the value and outcomes established by TALT.
- Facilitate seamless collaboration between TALT and key functional partners, ensuring effective matrix interactions, alignment, and decision-making across the therapeutic area.
- Develop and coordinate frameworks and processes for establishing cross-functional TA strategies, ensuring product strategy plans are aligned with broader therapeutic area priorities.
- Coordinate the TA strategic planning process, ensuring planning outcomes are integrated, documented, aligned across functions, and supported by appropriate approvals.
- Support R&D and Commercial New Product Opportunity (NPO) due diligence activities.
- Partner with Portfolio Management to ensure TA portfolio information is integrated into portfolio plans, analyses, and investment management activities, supporting the development of strategic priorities.
- Lead and deliver strategic initiatives across the therapeutic area that span the broader PD&C framework.
- Facilitate regular TA portfolio reviews, including assessments of project timelines, costs, resources, and overall portfolio performance, as well as focused reviews of budgeting, clinical operations, and regulatory activities.
- Coordinate internal and external communications, including key messages, briefing materials, and Q&A development, on behalf of the TALT and TA Co-Leads.
- Partner with TA Co-Leads to guide Product Strategy Teams (PSTs) and relevant functional areas in developing long-term product forecasts that reflect the needs and strategic priorities of the therapeutic area.
- Anticipate future portfolio needs and proactively partner with teams to establish the plans, capabilities, and resources required to achieve long-term objectives.
- Drive integrated planning through PRISM/REDC processes, connecting cross-functional teams and ensuring the appropriate information, insights, and preparation are available to support strategic portfolio decisions.
Talent & Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop a global project management organization with complex objectives, broad functional interfaces, and responsibilities spanning multiple geographies.
- Establish strategic priorities, competency frameworks, and performance expectations that support organizational effectiveness, talent development, and professional growth.
- Build a high-performing project management organization by developing capabilities, strengthening leadership, and promoting consistent execution standards.
- Model and reinforce the leadership behaviors and organizational culture necessary to drive accountability, collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
- Address complex organizational and performance challenges, leading difficult conversations and driving constructive outcomes.
- Maintain a strong understanding of cross-functional R&D and business operations to enable integrated planning, effective resource alignment, and informed strategic decision-making.
- Coach, mentor, and develop project management leaders and staff, building the capabilities required to support an evolving global R&D portfolio.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor\'s degree in a relevant scientific, business, or related discipline required; advanced degree (Master\'s, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in project management, program management, and/or portfolio management within R&D, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional R&D programs and global portfolios across multiple functions and geographies.
- Proven success managing large-scale development programs, portfolio initiatives, and organizational priorities within a complex matrix environment.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D processes, including drug development, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and Life Cycle Management.
- Demonstrated expertise in strategic and operational planning, portfolio management, risk assessment, resource planning, and project execution.
- Experience with project and portfolio management methodologies, tools, and systems such as Microsoft Project, Planview, Smartsheet, or Jira.
- Exceptional communication, influencing, change leadership, and executive reporting capabilities, including the ability to translate complex data and insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, navigate organizational complexity, resolve issues, and drive decisions and initiatives through to successful completion.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop project management professionals while building high-performing global teams.
- Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and operational judgment, with the ability to balance long-term portfolio priorities with immediate execution needs.
- Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels, providing hands-on leadership when necessary to ensure successful program delivery.
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