Job Detail

At Roche, we believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives and we are fearless in both decision and action. We also believe that good business means a better world.

That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigour, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow.

Reporting directly to the Head of pRED, we are seeking a Global Head of the pRED Strategy, Portfolio and Clinical Operations unit (“SP&CO”) who will have be the strategic and operational leadership for this important global function.

SP&CO currently has approximately 125~190 scientists-employees across 24 sites (Basel, Welwyn, New York, and Shanghai), with the overall goal to maximize the value of the pRED projects and portfolio to patients and Roche and to drive R&D productivity.

Key responsibilities of this senior vice president will be responsible for crafting and implementing the strategic and operational include:

1) management of strategic allocations and project management of the pRED early development project portfolio,

2) management of strategic allocations of pRED functional resources for the pre-clinical portfolio,

3) oversight of the study management teams who develop and deliver effective global clinical execution strategies for early clinical development programmes from decision to start GLP toxicity studies to decision to enter pivotal trials (Ph3) in established and new therapeutic areas across all Roche indications,

4) support for various project plans within a strategic framework (in line with definition of ‘strategy’ as outlined by a pRED white paper),

5) regular representation of pRED science and the pRED portfolio across Roche.

SP&CO works closely with the Discovery and Translational Areas (DTAs) and Global Functional heads of R&D plans, from exploratory/target assessment phases to proof of concept in the clinic in alignment with the overall pRED R&D plan. The executive will be responsible for reviewing the organization and influencing new technologies, external partnerships, and science. The executive should be a visionary strong and scientifically credible leader ready to facilitate development of an outstanding research and early development organization that delivers world-class science and a rich pipeline of products for the benefit of the patients of the world.

The SP&CO head will also be a member of the pRED leadership team and as such influence the general direction, goals, and strategies of overall pRED. The person will sit on executive governance committees (e.g. extended discovery leadership committee, early stage portfolio committee) and thus have influence over molecules from all therapeutic area.

For context, Roche essentially has three independent early R&D units: Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED; a division of Roche based in South San Francisco, CA), and Chugai Pharmaceuticals, based in Japan. Each has its own budget, leadership teams, and scientists.

This decentralized R&D model leverages Roche’s global footprint and expands the overall diversity of Roche’s approaches and opportunities. Molecules demonstrating proof of concept are handed over to the late stage Pharma Development organization.

Competencies:
You will have demonstrated competence in the following areas:

• Scientific Credibility – The candidate will be able to credibly represent pRED science and pRED early development programs have an impeccable reputation and recognition in the scientific community across Roche.


• Results Orientation – The candidate will have a proven record of delivering strategic frameworks at various levels and of executing programs in early clinical development.


• Team Leadership, Attracting Talent and Developing People – The new leader will bring a track record of establishing an environment and reputation that attracts, develops, and inspires this talent. He/she will be able to develop a clear team spirit and to instill a culture of success across the organization.


• Collaboration and Influencing – The role requires an executive with a desire to work with peers, partners and others who are not in the line-of-command in order to improve performance and meet goals.


• Track record of encouraging and overseeing, multiple successful relationships across academic institutions and industry partners, specifically for early discovery alliances:


• Strategic/ Innovative Thinking – The candidate will demonstrate the ability to articulate strategic frameworks that enable scientists across pRED for successful early drug development. evolving priorities and technologies/targets and strategies within a long term horizon and will inspire and focus his/her organization.

The role will be based in Basel, Switzerland and will require extensive travel to multiple company sites and notably to including South San Francisco, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceive and implement the vision and strategic direction for SP&CO with the overall goal to maximize the value of the pRED projects and portfolio to patients and Roche and to drive R&D productivity,


• Reports to the Head of pRED and is accountable for leading and implementing major pRED strategic initiatives and any cross-Divisional objectives,


• Is a key strategic member of the pRED Leadership team, the eSPC, LSPC, the Roche/Chugai Joint Portfolio Steering Committee and the eDLC,


• Responsible for periodic reviews of the pRED overall strategy in alignment with the pLT to ensure the organization anticipates and responds to changing environment/ conditions,


• Accountable for providing the decision framework to actively steer and prioritize pRED’s portfolio and the related investment across all phases and therapeutic areas


• Accountable for providing the structure and framework to track and steer pRED portfolio and clinical trial performance against milestones and budget


• Connect with gRED, Late Stage Development, GPS on cross-Roche strategies and initiatives. Lead strategic planning with key counterparts in the Pharma organization to ensure strategic alignment and successful transition of global pivotal programs


• Responsible for providing the Head of pRED with support, coordinated analysis and presentations including those for the Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Committee


• Accountable for the management of strategic allocation and project management of approx 40+ early development project teams representing 230m CHF total annual PVC spend and approx 35% of pRED project resources and for the management of strategic allocation of pRED functional resources to the pre-clinical portfolio approx 65% of total pRED project resources)


• Leads the pRED Portfolio Planning and Decision Analysis (PPDA), the pRED Global Project Management (GPM) and the Clinical Operations organization with approx 190 employees located in Basel, New York, Welwyn and Shanghai and oversee a global network of external partners and vendors, e.g. CROs.


• Approval, oversight and management of pRED clinical study PVCs (approx 100m CHF) and related SR/SR spend


• Accountable for 80+ study management teams who develop and deliver effective global clinical execution strategies for approx 40+ early clinical development programmes from decision to start GLP toxicity studies to decision to enter pivotal trials (Ph3) in established and new therapeutic areas across all Roche indications,


• Integrates efforts to formulate and deliver on the current and long range strategies, and objectives to drive the direction of pRED


• Accountable for providing pRED with a project and portfolio decision-making framework and for effective business management of the pRED project and portfolio governance committees overseeing all pRED projects in discovery, research and early development (DLC. eDLC, eSPC)


• Accountable for delivering quantitative and strategic analysis for the pRED projects and portfolio strategies and analytics (e.g. NPV valuation, ROI, and PTS risk assessment, decision analysis and portfolio prioritization)


• Accountable for delivering the pRED business plan to the CEC including coordination of contributing functions such as Finance

Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD in life science or MD is required


• Significant knowledge of and work experience in Pharmaceutical R&D (15+ years in the pharmaceutical industry)


• Proven track record in an executive leadership role (multiple projects, complex programs in R&D, operational leadership) as well as leadership in matrix environment


• Attested ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of senior leaders and employees at all levels to deliver extraordinary results in a global and matrix environment


• Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to form strong cohesive partnerships.


• Excellent judgment and analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to diagnose issues, manage conflict, and provide alternative solutions.


• Assertiveness, Integrity


• Solid understanding of finance and budgeting processes


• Excellent analytical skills, organization and coordination skills


• Strategic thinker, Excellent communication and presentation skills


• Ability to coordinate employees globally by working in a virtual environment


• Effective team work and interpersonal skills (globally, internal and externally)


• Demonstrated track record in leading and managing change on a large scale.

This position is for candidates living in the Basel area currently and do not need relocation.

Are you ready to apply?

Roche embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

If you still have questions then please check our FAQs and videos on careers.roche.ch/faq.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer.

Research & Development, Research & Development > Portfolio Management