General Manager

OCUGEN OPCO INC; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

OCUGEN OPCO INC seeks an experienced biotechnology executive to lead its European operations from Amsterdam. The role combines deep regulatory knowledge with strong leadership to build a scaled European organization and act as Ocugen's primary representative.

The position requires 15+ years in biotech/pharma leadership, extensive EMA engagement, and ability to drive cross-functional execution across Regulatory, Clinical, Pharmacovigilance, Quality, and Commercial functions.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, or business.
• 15+ years leading biotech/pharma or health organizations.
• Significant EMA/regulators exposure and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead Ocugen's European headquarters in Amsterdam.
• Develop Europe operating model, governance, and strategy.
• Recruit and grow a high-performing European team.
• Oversee regulatory strategy and pharmacovigilance for Europe.
• Represent Ocugen with regulators, partners, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate across Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, and Commercial teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Regulatory affairs (EMA)

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Business development

Education

Advanced degree in Life Sciences/Pharma/Medicine/Business

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Amsterdam - Amsterdam

Position Summary

The successful candidate is an experienced biotechnology executive who combines strong European regulatory knowledge with proven organizational leadership. This individual understands the European regulatory landscape and possesses the leadership capability to build and scale a high‑performing organization. The General Manager will recruit talent, develop culture, establish operational processes, coordinate cross‑functional execution, and serve as Ocugen's primary representative throughout Europe.

Responsibilities

Build the European Organization

• Establish and lead Ocugen's European headquarters in Amsterdam.
• Develop the European operating model, governance structure, and organizational strategy.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing European team.
• Lead workforce planning and organizational growth as the European operation expands.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence aligned with Ocugen's mission and values.
• Establish scalable business processes and operating rhythms that support long‑term growth.
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, and resource requirements.

Executive Leadership

• Serve as Ocugen's senior executive representative throughout Europe.
• Act as the primary liaison between the European organization and Executive Leadership.
• Provide strategic advice regarding European opportunities, risks, and business priorities.
• Support evaluation of business development opportunities, strategic partnerships, and licensing initiatives.
• Represent Ocugen at executive meetings, industry conferences, and strategic forums.

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Provide executive oversight for European regulatory strategy across Ocugen's portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other European health authorities.
• Ensure European regulatory considerations are incorporated into corporate strategy and development plans.
• Provide executive oversight for European pharmacovigilance, quality, and compliance activities.
• Ensure appropriate governance, compliance, and operational oversight across the European organization.

External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as Ocugen's principal ambassador throughout Europe.
• Develop strategic relationships with regulators, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, patient advocacy groups, industry associations, and key opinion leaders.
• Enhance Ocugen's visibility and reputation throughout the European biotechnology ecosystem.
• Build relationships that support future commercialization and market expansion.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate activities across Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Pharmacovigilance, Quality, Commercial, Manufacturing, Medical Affairs, and Corporate functions.
• Drive collaboration across global teams to achieve European business objectives.
• Remove organizational barriers and facilitate effective decision‑making.
• Ensure alignment between U.S. headquarters and the European organization.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee selection and management of external service providers supporting European operations.
• Ensure efficient execution of operational priorities.
• Monitor organizational performance against strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Business, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare organizations.
• Significant experience interacting with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and European regulatory authorities.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross‑functional organizations.
• Experience building, leading, or scaling organizations during periods of growth.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working across Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, Pharmacovigilance, Quality, or related GxP functions.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution.

Preferred

• Previous experience establishing or leading a European headquarters, affiliate, subsidiary, or regional operation.
• Experience within gene therapy, advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), rare diseases, ophthalmology, biologics, vaccines, or specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Experience supporting commercialization, launch readiness, or market access.
• Experience managing external service providers and outsourced operations.
• Established network throughout the European biotechnology and regulatory community.

Ocugen is an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we make all of our employment decisions based upon merit, qualifications, abilities, and an individual’s conduct and performance. We will not make any of our decisions, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including sexual orientation, gender identity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under the law. Ocugen complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.