Senior Director, Scientific Affairs Strategy & Operations

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Scientific Affairs Strategy & Operations leads a centralized team to advance cross-TA Medical & Scientific Affairs priorities, delivering value for the organization through streamlined contracting, SOP creation and governance, and transformative strategy development and execution. This role collaborates across multiple stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment with business objectives and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end contracting for Medical & Scientific Affairs, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and scalable oversight
• Create, maintain, and govern Medical & Scientific SOPs; drive adherence and continuous improvement across the organization
• Identify and advance cross-TA Medical & Scientific strategic initiatives (delivered through the Medical & Scientific Board); translate strategy into sustainable, metrics-driven solutions that optimize efficiency, effectiveness, and business impact
• Oversee strategic resource planning for Scientific Affairs (SA), ensuring optimal allocation and prioritization of talent, budget, and capabilities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for SA in collaboration with the Finance, Operations, and Commercial teams

Collaboration & Leadership

• Lead, develop, and grow a high-performing team by setting a clear vision and measurable goals, hiring and onboarding the right talent, providing regular coaching and tailored development plans, delegating authority with accountability, removing obstacles, and tracking progress to prepare team members for expanded roles while delivering on current commitments
• Serve as a key integrator and collaborator between the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, North America, Therapeutic Area VPs of Medical Affairs, and other cross-functional, regional, global, and enterprise partners to advance Scientific Affairs strategic objectives
• Collaborate with the CSO, SA Leadership Team, and VPs of Medical Affairs to shape Medical & Scientific Board (MSB) Strategic Pillar objectives; oversee pillar teams to ensure sponsor-aligned delivery
• Drive prioritization and capability-building across senior stakeholders to simplify processes, accelerate delivery, and maintain quality and strategic alignment. Foster strong governance, transparency, and cross-functional decision-making to support scalable, sustainable outcomes
• Consistent, rapid realization of cross-TA Medical & Scientific priorities through a centralized operating model
• Build and mobilize a broad coalition of support to drive change by working cross-functionally with senior leaders to drive adoption
• Partners with finance and SA Leadership team to ensure delivery of financial commitments, including financial and headcount targets

Qualifications

• Required: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; An advanced degree (MBA) is beneficial
• Required: A minimum of 10 years of broad business experience in diversified leadership roles
• Preferred: Medical or Scientific Affairs experience
• Required: Strategy development and strategic planning experience
• Required: Significant business/market experience, industry knowledge, and leadership presence to influence cross-functional decisions and strategies
• Required: Experience leading major organizational changes, including business case development, change management, and integration into normal business processes
• Required: Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, operational excellence, and financial management skills
• Required: Strong Business and Scientific Acumen, Intellectual Curiosity, and Learning Agility
• Required: Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Preferred: Experience collaborating with commercial functions and/or in-line commercial experience
• Required: Previous people management experience
• Preferred: Previous experience overseeing contracting or procurement
• Preferred: Previous experience managing standard operating procedures or center of medical excellence
• Preferred: Project management of large and complex business projects; demonstrated success planning, leading and managing large-scale initiatives
• Required: Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Required: Strategic thinking and innovative mindset
• Required: Enterprise leadership in a matrix environment
• Required: Strong collaboration and partnership skills; Ability to build consensus and impact outcomes
• Required: This position is located in Titusville, NJ and follows a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remotely per week

Skills

• Preferred Skills: Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA beneficial

Additional Requirements

• Location: Titusville, NJ; Hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote)