We are currently seeking qualified candidates for a Global Head of Research & Development role with the Microbiome division of a leading multinational chemicals, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology company. This is a permanent position that can be based out of any of the company’s global sites, with preference given to Maryland, United States, or the United Kingdom.
PURPOSE
Reporting to the SVP R&D, the Head of Microbiome Business is responsible for designing, implementing and optimizing the strategic initiative aiming at developing a profitable and sustainable Microbiome business. Research & Development develops novel platform technologies for the future with leading edge science & engineering to transform ideas into industry-leading offerings. Our Client seeks to identify and develop the offerings that have the best chance of creating new value for our customers and sustainable business growth for the Company over future years, with successful ideas passed on to the Company’s operating business for implementation within <2 years from initiation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develops and executes on strategies for innovative Microbiome solutions for in-house and external customers on a global basis.
- Manages a growing group of commercial development professionals in the US and Europe as a combined team with a single purpose and set of objectives.
- Establishes practical commercialization plans incorporating direction from Operations, Quality, global R&D and Legal/IP
- Collaborates with other R&D heads in the Company across the Company and beyond to leverage intellectual capital and build strong technology platforms, ensuring that results are high quality and commercially viable.
- Drives efficient development of customer relationships leading to new microbiome product development; working with partners to provide microbial API and in-house resources to deliver finished drug products on time to the highest quality.
- Maintains a high standard of market, medical and technical know-how.
- Leads commercial discussions on Microbiome across multiple functional groups, primarily R&D, Operations, Quality, Marketing, IP/Legal, Regulatory and Communications.
- Identifies and leverages external sources to enhance market launches.
- Represents Microbiome initiatives to Company Leadership, Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
- Manages, coaches and develops individual colleagues in the Microbiome business to realize their goals and perform at a high level.
- Leads by influence and collaboration in relevant business areas and works in a matrix environment to reach effective decisions.
- Manages P&L, budgets and resources on a daily basis as well as annual budget rounds to include Sales, expenses, RoI and long term projections.
EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Masters in life science microbiology required; PhD desired but not required
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a relevant working environment, likely biotech industrial R&D/manufacturing and management of teams.
- Business Acumen: Knows how business works; knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, and information affecting his/her business and organization; knows the competition; is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
- Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
- Drive for Result: Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully, is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
- Strategic Agility: Can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; can articulately paint pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can crate competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.
- Collaboration/Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate, constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
- Leadership: Proven ability to lead, coach and inspire individuals and teams to set and achieve breakthrough performance goals.
- Displays the ability to recognise critical problems, manage ambiguity and balance multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Thorough understanding of technical needs in microbiology.
- Extensive customer base and business development experience
- Advanced strategic and analytical thinker – allied to an execution mindset.
- Possesses the intellectual ability to think abstractly and creativity to resolve problems and achieve practical results.
- Ability to work in complex and fast-paced matrix environment.
- In-depth commercial understanding of corporate and operational business issues.
- Team orientated with good network and consensus building capabilities.
- Inventiveness and problem solving skills to develop new and expand current technical capabilities.
- Gravitas, intellectual capability and daily operational grip to gain immediate respect and credibility through the organization (from shop floor to boardroom).
- A track record of getting things done with the tenacity to manage change to a successful conclusion.
- Must have strong business and interpersonal skills and be a persuasive communicator – written, oral and active listening – to influence peers and colleagues.