Biological Project Leader in drug Substance

UCB S.A.; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking a Biological Project Leader for Drug Substance (DS NBE DSPL) at our Slough campus in the United Kingdom. You will drive development from preclinical stages through Phase 3, lead multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts, and ensure delivery with the highest standards of quality, compliance, and scientific excellence.

You will act as the main DS representative in cross‑functional development teams, shaping strategy, managing risks, and supporting regulatory submissions and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in CMC biological pharmaceutical development and process sciences.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in biologics upstream or downstream process development.
• Proven success leading complex projects in a matrix organization.
• Strong project management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Excellent English communication skills with the ability to simplify complex scientific concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead one Drug Substance biologics development project from preclinical through Phase 3 and support technical transfer.
• Represent Drug Substance activities within cross‑functional Technical Satellite Teams and stakeholder forums.
• Define and execute integrated Drug Substance development strategies aligned with CMC objectives.
• Coordinate and empower subject matter experts to deliver milestones on time and within budget.
• Identify, communicate, and manage project risks with mitigation strategies.
• Provide scientific leadership, drive continuous improvement, and support regulatory submissions.

Skills

Project management

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

English communication

Education

Master's degree (relevant scientific discipline)

PhD (relevant scientific discipline)

Job description

Make your mark for patientsWe are looking for a Biological Project Leader in drug Substance (DS NBE DSPL) who is strategic, collaborative, and scientifically driven to join our team within Drug Substance Process Sciences, based at our UCB campus located in Slough, United Kingdom.

About the role

As a DS NBE Project Leader, you will play a key role in advancing biological drug substance development projects from preclinical stages through Phase 3. You will drive integrated Drug Substance strategies, lead multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts, and ensure projects are delivered with the highest standards of quality, compliance, and scientific excellence. You will act as the main Drug Substance representative within cross-functional development teams, helping to transform innovative science into therapies that make a meaningful difference for patients.

Who you will work with

You will work closely with Drug Substance Biological Process Sciences experts, Clinical manufacturing, Technical Satellite Team (TST) members, CMC leaders, project managers, regulatory and quality specialists, and external partners. You will build strong collaborative relationships across departments and functions, ensuring effective communication, alignment on priorities, and successful execution of development strategies throughout the product lifecycle.

What you will do

• You will lead one Drug Substance biologics development projects from preclinical development through Phase 3 and support technical transfer.
• You will represent Drug Substance activities within cross‑functional Technical Satellite Teams and key stakeholder forums.
• You will define and execute integrated Drug Substance development strategies aligned with overall CMC objectives.
• You will coordinate and empower subject matter experts to deliver project milestones on time and within budget.
• You will identify, communicate, and manage project risks while implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• You will provide scientific leadership, drive continuous improvement, and support regulatory submissions and product development activities.

Education, experience, and skills

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in CMC biological pharmaceutical development and process sciences.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in biologics upstream or downstream process development.
• Proven success leading complex projects and influencing teams in a matrix organization.
• Strong project management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Excellent English communication skills with the ability to simplify complex scientific concepts.

About us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us

At UCB, we don't just complete tasks, we create value. We aren't afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We 'go beyond' to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that's on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. At UCB, we've embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made