
Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Pipeline
Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.
Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Legend Biotech is seeking Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Pipeline as part of the Human Resources team based in Somerset, NJ.
Role Overview
The Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Pipeline will serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to business and HR leaders across Legend Biotech’s Pipeline functions. This leader will be accountable for designing, owning, and executing talent acquisition strategies across critical domains—including R&D, Early Drug Development (EDD), Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Development, and Business Development—ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term capability needs. Leveraging deep market expertise and data-driven insights, this individual will shape proactive recruitment strategies that strengthen Legend’s competitive position, build diverse leadership and technical pipelines, and enable sustainable business growth. Partnering closely with HRBPs and senior hiring leaders, the Associate Director will elevate hiring practices, influence workforce planning, and ensure Legend attracts, engages, and hires world-class talent in a highly competitive life sciences market.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the strategic TA partner to Pipeline business leaders and HR Business Partners (HRBPs), aligning workforce plans, organizational design, and capability needs with proactive, market-informed talent acquisition strategies.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Pipeline recruiting team, providing direction, coaching, and career development, while ensuring excellence in execution across all searches.
- Drive executive-caliber and niche technical hiring strategies for critical R&D, clinical, regulatory, technical development, and business development roles.
- Shape and implement forward-looking sourcing strategies leveraging talent intelligence, advanced market mapping, and proactive pipeline building to secure top scientific and leadership talent in a highly competitive life sciences market.
- Act as a trusted advisor to Pipeline business leadership, delivering insights on talent availability, competitive movements, compensation benchmarks, and organizational implications to influence workforce planning and hiring decisions.
- Oversee the management of external search firm partnerships for executive and hard-to-fill roles, ensuring cost-effective, quality outcomes while protecting Legend Biotech’s employer brand.
- Partner with business and HR leadership to embed structured, bias-mitigating selection practices that raise the leadership bar and ensure consistent, high-quality hiring decisions.
- Represent Legend Biotech externally at conferences, scientific forums, and executive industry networks, building long-term relationships with mission-aligned talent and positioning the company as an employer of choice.
- Collaborate with TA Operations, Talent Intelligence, and TA Marketing to deliver impactful dashboards, recruitment campaigns, and talent attraction initiatives that strengthen both immediate hiring outcomes and long-term pipeline health.
- Track, analyze, and present key hiring metrics and market insights to business stakeholders, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence in recruitment practices across Pipeline business
- This role operates with a high level of autonomy, with responsibility for both strategic and tactical decision-making within the scope of talent acquisition for Pipeline business. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment, independently manage priorities, allocate resources, and lead initiatives aligned with business goals and the broader Talent Acquisition (TA) strategy.
- The role will oversee recruitment-related budgets associated with search engagements within approved financial parameters. The incumbent is responsible for effective resource planning, including workload distribution across team members and managing external search partners to ensure cost-effective, high-quality outcomes.
- Oversight and higher-level approvals are required for decisions that have significant financial impact, represent strategic shifts in direction, or involve policy changes with broader organizational implications
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (Human Resources, Business, Life Sciences, or related field).
- 10+ years of progressive talent acquisition experience, including significant experience recruiting within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated success in leading recruitment for R&D, clinical, regulatory, and/or technical development functions within a global biotech or pharmaceutical environment.
- Proven ability to design and execute strategic, data-driven recruitment initiatives that align with business objectives and scale with organizational growth.
- Exceptional market expertise, with the ability to interpret competitive intelligence, talent availability, and scientific/regulatory labor market trends to inform strategy.
- Strong business acumen and consultative influence with senior executives, with experience in navigating complex, matrixed environments.
- Skilled in team leadership and development, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Expertise in advanced sourcing strategies, talent intelligence tools, and AI-powered recruitment technologies to enhance candidate engagement and hiring efficiency.
- Proficiency with ATS platforms (preferably Greenhouse or Workday) and recruitment marketing technologies.
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The anticipated base pay range is:
$163,468 - $214,551 USD
Benefits:
We are committed to creating a workplace where employees can thrive - both professionally and personally. To attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive industry, we offer a best-in-class benefits package that supports well-being, financial stability, and long-term career growth. Our offerings are designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members and their families, ensuring they feel valued and supported every step of the way. Highlights include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with company match that vest fully on day one. Equity and stock options are available to employees in eligible roles, we offer eight weeks of paid parental leave after just three months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes 15 vacation days, 5 personal days, 5 sick days, 11 U.S. national holidays, and 3 floating holidays. Additional benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs - demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
EEO Statement
Legend Biotech is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is Legend’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company. Legend may adjust base salary or other discretionary compensation at any time based on individual, team, performance, or market conditions.
Legend Biotech maintains a drug-free workplace.
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