Executive Director, R&D Strategy & Operations

Accountabilities:

• • Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and Chief of Staff to the Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer, providing visibility into priorities, risks, dependencies, resources, and critical decisions.
  • Represent the R&D leadership office in cross-functional meetings, enterprise initiatives, strategic planning activities, and executive forums.
  • Support Executive Team, Board, investor, and scientific meeting preparation through high-quality analyses, presentations, briefings, and decision-support materials.
  • Support long-range R&D strategy and portfolio planning by monitoring scientific, clinical, competitive, and business developments.
  • Lead or support cross-functional diligence for licensing, partnerships, acquisitions, and integration of new assets.
  • Develop executive analyses and recommendations addressing strategic trade-offs, portfolio sequencing, resource allocation, and risk/return considerations.
  • Strengthen organizational effectiveness and collaboration across R&D functions by facilitating resolution of complex cross-functional issues and supporting organizational design and change initiatives.
  • Establish and continuously improve the R&D Leadership Team operating model, governance framework, meeting cadence, strategic planning sessions, portfolio reviews, and leadership workshops.
  • Develop executive dashboards and reporting mechanisms that improve visibility into R&D priorities, portfolio execution, risks, resources, and performance.
  • Partner with Finance and R&D leaders on budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, investment visibility, and allocation discussions.
  • Serve as a key liaison between R&D and enterprise-level strategic planning groups, translating broader priorities into coordinated R&D action plans.
  • Coordinate executive communications with clarity, accuracy, discretion, and consistency with organizational values.
  • Lead administrative operations supporting the R&D executive office and oversee the Executive Assistant supporting the R&D Leadership Team.
  • Develop scalable administrative and operating processes that support organizational growth and sustained effectiveness.

  Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, healthcare, or a related discipline; equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
  • Advanced degree such as a PhD, MD, PharmD, MBA, or equivalent is strongly preferred.
  • At least 12 years of experience within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
  • At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in R&D strategy, operations, portfolio strategy, organizational effectiveness, or related disciplines.
  • Significant experience partnering with executive leadership and leading complex, cross-functional R&D initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of the end-to-end pharmaceutical drug development lifecycle.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and improve operating models for R&D leadership organizations and enhance collaboration across functions.
  • Proven ability to create visibility into strategic priorities, risks, resources, investments, and portfolio execution.
  • Strong organizational change-management expertise, including stakeholder engagement, barrier identification, adoption planning, and implementation of new ways of working.
  • Experience building collaborative relationships and designing scalable processes to support organizational growth.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, executive presence, influence, discretion, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively in complex, matrixed environments and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
  • Strong alignment with a patient-focused, collaborative, courageous, and team-oriented working culture.
  • Willingness and ability to travel approximately 20% domestically and internationally.
  • Ability to participate in face-to-face work with colleagues and/or onsite activities in San Diego; the position is not intended to be 100% remote.

  Benefits:

  • Target base salary range of $246,000–$332,000, with actual compensation determined by factors such as experience, education, skills, and location.
  • Short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation through company equity.
  • Premium health, financial, work-life, and well-being benefits for eligible employees and dependents.
  • Wellness and employee support programs.
  • Life insurance and disability coverage.
  • Retirement plans with employer contributions/matching.
  • Generous paid time off.
  • Opportunity to work in a collaborative, diverse, fast-paced biopharmaceutical environment.
  • Hybrid/remote flexibility for eligible U.S.-based employees, with expectations for in-person collaboration and onsite work when required.
  • Approximately 20% domestic and international travel.
  • Opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of therapies intended to improve the lives of people living with rare diseases.