Director, Global Innovation

Lonza; Basel; Hybrid; CHF 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Lifestyle, family & leisure benefits

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Lonza in Basel, Switzerland, seeks a Director, Global Innovation to identify and advance science and technology opportunities that strengthen Lonza’s long-term competitiveness as a CDMO. You will assess emerging technologies, build the business case for investment, and align R&D, business and leadership teams around the most promising opportunities.

You will scout external technologies across biologics, bioconjugation, AI and digital tools; develop evidence-based recommendations; manage a

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in life sciences, biotech, bioprocess engineering, pharma sciences or related field, plus business education or commercial experience.
• Strong scientific understanding of technologies relevant to pharma development and manufacturing with commercial judgment.
• Experience assessing feasibility and business potential of new technologies in a commercial setting (BD, licensing, strategy, CDMO services).
• Financial skills including business case development, valuation, NPV/IRR modelling, and scenario analysis.
• Experience coordinating due diligence across scientific, commercial, operational, IP, regulatory and financial topics.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
• Strong writing, presentation and communication skills for scientific and business audiences.
• Collaborative approach to influence teams across functions without direct reporting lines.

Responsibilities

• Scout and assess external technologies, platforms and business models across biologics, advanced therapeutics, bioconjugation, drug delivery, synthetic biology, AI and digital tools.
• Identify innovation growth areas by aligning scientific trends with customer needs and Lonza’s portfolio.
• Lead scientific, technical, commercial and financial assessments of opportunities, including proofs of concept, partnerships and investments.
• Build business cases covering market demand, revenue potential, margins, valuation and risks.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations on development, partnership, licensing, investment or acquisition to senior decision makers.
• Manage a pipeline of opportunities, tracking progress, budgets, decisions and value.
• Partner with R&D and business teams to define PoC objectives and pathways to implementation.
• Build relationships across biotech, pharma, academia, venture capital and technology providers.

Skills

Life sciences expertise

Strategic thinking

Business development

Financial modelling (NPV/IRR)

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Market and tech scouting

Education

Master's or PhD in life sciences; business education

Tools

Excel advanced

Job description

This position is based in Basel, Switzerland.

As our Director, Global Innovation, you will identify and advance science and technology opportunities that strengthen Lonza’s long-term competitiveness as a CDMO. Working within Group Strategy, you will assess emerging technologies, build the case for investment, and bring R&D, business and leadership teams together around the most promising opportunities.

What you will get:

• Opportunities to shape Lonza’s innovation priorities and work with emerging science and technology.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace where your ideas are valued.
• A competitive salary and compensation programs that recognize high performance.
• A range of lifestyle, family, and leisure benefits. Read more here

What you will do:

• Scout and assess external technologies, platforms and business models across biologics, advanced therapeutics, bioconjugation, drug delivery, synthetic biology, AI and digital tools, and next-generation manufacturing.
• Identify innovation growth areas by connecting scientific trends and customer needs with opportunities in Lonza’s portfolio.
• Lead scientific, technical, commercial and financial assessments of opportunities, including proofs of concept, partnerships, licensing, investments and potential acquisitions.
• Build business cases covering market demand, competitive positioning, revenue potential, margin impact, valuation and investment risks.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations on whether to develop, partner, license, invest in or acquire an opportunity, clearly outlining its strategic fit, value potential, risks and requirements for execution to senior decision makers.
• Manage a pipeline of opportunities, tracking progress, resources, budgets, decision points and potential value.
• Partner with R&D and business teams to define proof-of-concept objectives, success measures and pathways to implementation.
• Build relationships across biotech, pharma, academia, venture capital and technology providers.

What we are looking for:

• A master’s degree or PhD in life sciences, biotechnology, biochemistry, bioprocess engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field, combined with business education or substantial commercial experience.
• Strong scientific understanding of technologies relevant to pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, paired with sound commercial judgement.
• Experience assessing the feasibility and business potential of new technologies in a commercial setting, such as business development, licensing, investment, strategy, CDMO services or a customer-facing technical role.
• Financial skills, including business case development, valuation, NPV and IRR modelling, and scenario analysis.
• Experience coordinating due diligence across scientific, commercial, operational, intellectual property, regulatory and financial topics.
• The ability to turn complex or incomplete information into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
• Strong writing, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage both scientific and business audiences.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to influence teams across functions without direct reporting lines.
• Curiosity about emerging science and technology, and the ability to build strong external networks.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. Our teams work together to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity guide how we work, and everyone’s ideas can help improve lives.

We value diverse backgrounds and perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Join us to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies.

Reference: R79603

You will feel at home at Lonza if you:

• Take ownership, step forward, and enjoy meaningful responsibility
• Love solving problems and thrive in a complex, fast-moving environment
• Are curious, always looking to learn and improve
• Work collaboratively, contributing to something bigger than yourself
• Are motivated to make a difference through work that impacts customers and their patients

Why Lonza:

We are a place of unique opportunity, where your ideas, expertise and ambition can make a real difference. Here, will have the freedom to grow, the support to succeed and the chance to contribute to work that matters.

We are the makers of the medicines of tomorrow.