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US: Program Lead, Cell and Gene Therapy

Raritan, New Jersey, United States

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 a Program Lead, Cell and Gene Therapy as part of the Global Manufacturing and Supply team based in Raritan, NJ.

Role Overview

The program Lead will be responsible for developing and executing the internal commercial manufacturing strategy for iLVV (in vivo Lentiviral Vector). This role will lead strategic planning, drive execution, propose options to senior leadership, of the commercial manufacturing introduction activities across late-stage and commercial programs, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory readiness, operational execution, and seamless cross-functional alignment. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including R&D, process development, MSAT, global facility & engineering, Quality, procurement, regulatory affairs, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Define and drive the internal commercial manufacturing strategy for iLVV.
  • Evaluate internal/external options for iLVV commercial manufacturing, and seek stakeholder feedback.
  • Present options and recommendations to senior leadership for decision-making.
  • Provide clear, concise, and timely updates to senior management regarding program progress, risks, and strategic considerations.
  • Motivate and inspire cross-functional teams, building momentum, alignment, and ownership.
  • Make decisive, data-driven, and sometimes tough decisions to advance program objectives under aggressive timelines.

Planning & Execution:

  • Develop detailed business and implementation plans and timeline for late stage clinical and commercial manufacturing to deliver launch milestones.
  • Oversee facility fitness and readiness and ensure alignment with stakeholders on commercial tech transfer and production timelines.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with R&D for process development and technology transfer.
  • Work closely with engineering and Somerset facility teams for infrastructure planning.
  • Drive decision-making that balances scientific rigor, speed, risk, and business impact.
  • Coordinate with regulatory and quality teams to ensure compliance with global standards.
  • Collaborate with finance to manage budgets and cost projections.

Process Development & Transfer

  • Working with MSAT to drive commercial process transfer activities from development to manufacturing.
  • Coordinate generation of process descriptions, control strategies, equipment requirements and Bill of Materials.
  • Drive establishment of raw material requirements, QC method readiness and facility fit.
  • Ensure robust scale-up and validation of vector manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing Site & Operational Readiness

  • Ensure manufacturing facilities are prepared for the new product including capacity, equipment, utilities, and staffing.
  • Partner with Supply Chain to secure long-lead materials, single-use components, and critical suppliers.
  • Oversee line-of-business readiness: QA, QC, MSAT, warehouse, digital systems, labeling, analytics.
  • Align on operational procedures (SOP updates, batch records, deviations/corrective actions).

Quality and Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with applicable global GMP, ICH, and regulatory expectations.
  • Support CMC submissions, PPQ documentation, change controls, and validation packages.
  • Collaborate with Quality to ensure inspection readiness and audit support.

Continuous Improvement & Lifecycle Management

  • Identify opportunities to optimize manufacturing robustness, cost, and yield post-launch.
  • Implement lessons learned, knowledge management systems, and NPI best practices.
  • Support product lifecycle changes such as process improvements, site expansions, and supply chain enhancements.

Requirements

Education

BS is required, Ph.D. preferred in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, or related field.

Experience

  • Minimum 10+ years in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Viral vector late processes development/manufacturing experience is required.
  • Proven experience in facility scale and layout planning, and commercial process transfer and validation.
  • Strong understanding of cGMP requirements and regulatory frameworks for cell and gene therapy products.

Skills

  • Strategic thinking and ability to build consensus among peers and influence senior leadership.
  • Excellent project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Highly goal-oriented, ownership-driven, and laser-focused on execution.
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making quick, high-impact decisions.

#Li-BZ1

#Li-Hybrid

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary 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 voluntary 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.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$168,372 - $220,988 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

 

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

 

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

 
For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.

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I (the candidate) enter into this Non-Disclosure Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Legend Biotech USA Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of the date of my acknowledgement below, for the purpose of enabling the Company to evaluate a possible employment relationship with me.

  1. Access to Company Confidential Information. I acknowledge that for the sole and limited purpose of evaluating a possible employment relationship with me, the Company might disclose, or enable me to have access to, certain Confidential Information of the Company, as defined below.  I agree that, except for purposes of evaluating a possible employment relationship with the Company or as expressly authorized in writing by the Company, I will (a) not use or disclose any Confidential Information; (b) keep all Confidential Information confidential at all times; and (c) not copy, reproduce or modify any Confidential Information.
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  4. Remedies for Breach. I acknowledge that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the Company will not have an adequate remedy in money or damages, and therefore the Company shall be entitled to obtain temporary, preliminary and/or permanent injunctive relief to redress any such breach, from any court of competent jurisdiction, and that the Company’s right to obtain such relief shall not limit its right to obtain other available remedies.
  5. General. The interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matters hereof; it supersedes any and all prior agreements or representations, written or oral, with respect to its subject matters; and it cannot be modified except in a written agreement signed by the Company.

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