At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are inspired by a single vision – transforming patients’ lives through science. In oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease – and one of the most diverse and promising pipelines in the industry – each of our passionate colleagues contribute to innovations that drive meaningful change. We bring a human touch to every treatment we pioneer. Join us and make a difference.

Position:  Senior Director, Early Development Program Leader, Oncology and Hematology

Location: San Diego, CA 

Position Summary

All Early Development Program Leaders (EDPLs) within the Research & Early Development (R&ED) organization are strategic-thinking, problem-solving, and action oriented scientific leaders who bring deep drug development expertise to drive a sustainable pipeline of innovative medicines. EDPLs are respected, matrix leaders, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams typically responsible for several early development assets from later stage Discovery (pre-GT2) through transition to Full Development (GT4). They will foster a high performing, highly collaborative, truth-seeking team environment aimed at developing and implementing compelling, integrated asset strategies to achieve ambitious near- and long-term portfolio objectives. Each leader is accountable to therapeutic area, R&D and Company Leadership for: (i) creating a vision and defining the strategy and development plan for each early development asset within their portfolio, (ii) developing a set of objective criteria against which each asset advancing through the pipeline will be evaluated to enable robust debate and rapid, data-driven decision making; and (iii) ensuring that only high quality and differentiated assets enter the full development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Execution

• Uses an understanding of disease biology, the early-stage drug development process (particularly cross-functional connectivity), and relevant late-stage challenges (e.g., trends in disease area therapeutic advances, and evolving regulatory, patient advocacy and market access environments) to create a vision for each asset, then design and execute effective exploratory development programs in support of the overall R&D portfolio goals.
• Effectively engages cross company expertise and utilizes advisory groups and governance bodies (e.g., TRCs, REDOC, PSGT) to define, revise and champion asset development strategies and implementation plans.
• Continually analyzes progress, engages in critical thinking, and asserts strong problem-solving toward delivering key data and interpretation essential for robust debate and rapid, data-driven decision making on assigned projects.
• Delivers high quality assets to Full Development which have the potential for a competitive profile to address the unmet medical needs of patients and to provide favorable shareholder return.
• Ensures the process and output of the team meets established program standards (per PD&C Process expectations, within budget, on schedule, compliant, etc.), while also looking for opportunities to streamline development and enable continuous improvements without compromising quality.
• Engages senior leaders and functional area stakeholders to ensure alignment of program strategy and operational plans with functional area capabilities, and clearly communicates program risks, implications of changes in the competitive landscape and progress toward key milestones.
• Actively provides input to and drives portfolio level strategy for both internal and external opportunities.

Leadership and Matrix Alignment

• Drug development professional, able to bring broad, multi-disciplinary experiences to the challenges and opportunities of new targets and new molecules.
• Forward looking, objective matrix leader with demonstrated ability to frame issues, ask the right clarifying questions, and rationalize decisions in a cost-disciplined manner, with an enterprise view.
• Experience/judgment to efficiently integrate information from team members/key advisors to facilitate making rapid and objective, data-driven decisions.
• Sets goals and objectives for asset development; ensures aligned functional and individual objectives (for self and team members) across the BMS matrix to accomplish the asset development plan.
• Oversees relevant sub-teams and ensures clear goals and performance standards are in place, provides feedback and coaching, appropriately delegates responsibilities, and holds sub-team leaders accountable for key deliverables.
• Builds, proactively manages, and professionally develops a high performing team with diverse perspectives
• Builds productive peer-to-peer relationships with TRC leaders and functional heads of all groups that interact with the EDPL organization to ensure optimal functional area cooperation and resource support needed for optimal delivery on R&ED goals and overall portfolio priorities.
• Direct managerial skills to help manage and grow other matrix leaders.

Qualifications & Experience

• MD, PhD, DVM, PharmD or equivalent advanced degree of relevance.
• 8+ years of experience in the drug development process and leadership experience in academic or industry setting including education where applicable
• Expertise in the drug development process with in-depth know how and experience in the early development space, matrix team leadership, relevant regulatory expectations, and overall drug development principles
• Deep understanding of the role of basic biology, pharmaceutical optimization, translational medicine, and clinical pharmacology, including exposure-response relationships and dose selection in early development.
• Strong understanding of relevant regulatory health authority expectations and regulations for drug development, with a focus on early development but with an understanding of implications toward full development.
• Working knowledge of all functional areas of exploratory development, including chemistry/biochemistry, biology, toxicology, CMC, translational medicine, early clinical development, etc.
• Demonstrated scientific acumen and mechanistic understanding of pharmacology and disease biology.
• Ability to create a clear purpose, global vision, strategies, and key priorities for competing successfully in the evolving pharmaceutical and health care industry.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional team to execute Development Plans which have global perspective and focus on product differentiation, including opportunities for data driven acceleration.
• Demonstrated ability to objectively assess complex but relatively sparse data sets, make informed decisions and take action in the face of uncertainty.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully present complex programs to senior leaders and influence decision making.
• Experience in successfully managing and leading high performing, cross-functional matrix teams or complex multi-functional organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor others in order to enhance performance and/or facilitate career progression.
• Ability to effectively and seamlessly multi-task, and prioritize across multiple exploratory development assets, with complex strategies and accelerated development timelines. 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully and effectively cooperate, collaborate and work across functional boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and participate in business development due-diligence evaluations and transaction recommendations.