Executive Director, Pipeline Project Leadership

Legend Biotech is seeking an Executive Director, Pipeline Project Leadership as part of the Research & Development team based in Somerset, NJ. 

Role Overview

The Executive Director, Pipeline Project Leadership at Legend Biotech will create and lead project development teams for cell therapies and related modalities in a robust pipeline aimed at changing the course of medicine. He/she will be responsible for leading the strategic direction of the cross-functional product teams, guiding them from development to commercial launch. This role involves setting development and strategic goals, integrating key functions such as non-Clinical, Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, and Commercial into comprehensive plans, and ensuring timely and effective delivery. The position demands strong leadership in product development and team management, particularly in cell therapy and related modalities, within a collaborative, science-based, and patient-focused environment. The Project Leader will be the point of accountability for delivering pipeline projects.

Key Responsibilities  

• Establish and lead cross-functional project teams for each endorsed project
  
• Lead cross-functional teams in harnessing the strengths of functional area leaders, establish a cohesive integrated development strategy, set clear team goals, and foster a collaborative team dynamic
  
• Implement effective project leadership and project management methodologies to ensure the timely and successful delivery of results.
  
• Identify relevant cross functional dependencies and constraints and work to facilitate timely resolution to achieve the desired outcomes.
  
• Enable effective and rapid decision making with clear risks, mitigations, go/no-go criteria as part of a holistic operational plan to achieve success
  
• Operates with strong financials, company priorities and needs of partners
  
• Lead teams in preparation and execution of comprehensive development plans (e.g product, clinical, regulatory, commercial) and associated documents for each development program ensuring the requirements for all relevant areas are achieved
  
• Mentor and develop future talent from technical functions and create a pipeline for project leaders for early-stage programs
  
• In collaboration with the project manager, lead the creation and adjustment of aggressive timeline strategies with clear communication of underlying assumptions
  
• In collaboration with the project manager, proactively monitor project goals and provide timely communication on progress across all relevant levels of the organization including senior leadership
  
• Function as a single point of accountability for each project, including those with junior project leaders mentored by the successful candidate
  
• Adjust project strategies to changing company priorities and portfolio evolution
  
• In collaboration with the project manager, ensure high quality project execution
  
• Direct the advancement of each project through governance endorsement at each stage-gate review
  
• In collaboration with the project manager, ensure a robust risk register and execution of mitigation strategies
  
• Maintain strong awareness of competitive landscape and adapt project approaches to maintain best/first in class
  
• Collaborate with the project management office to evolve company processes for product development
  
• Establish a collaborative, science-based, agile, innovative, continuous improvement, and patient-focused culture for each project team
• Contribute to portfolio vision and prioritization
  
• Function as a single point of accountability for each project, including those with junior project leaders mentored by the successful candidate
  
• Build strong collaborative relationships with functional areas and creates a culture of transparency, unity and engagement
  
• Resolve conflict and proactively identify performance issues detrimental to the team and organization

Requirements

• Advanced degree (MD, PhD, PharmD) or equivalent with 15 years of industry experience and demonstrated leadership in a project management and/or supervisory role
• 15+ years of industry experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting
• Excellent leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills
• Experience with development of autologous or allogeneic cell therapies and viral vectors, and the overall pharmaceutical development process and road maps
• Experience in therapeutic areas such as hematological malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and solid tumors
• Strong grasp of science with analytical skills to drive data-based decision making
• Demonstrated proficiency in drug development with sufficient awareness of CMC challenges for cell therapies and viral vectors
• Robust understanding of regulatory consideration of product development
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, solving complex problems, prioritization, and building teams
• Creative, strategic thinking
• Composure during challenging times 
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Language: English. Mandarin is a plus.

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