Executive Director, Global Program Leader

Merck & Co.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 256,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Legend Biotech in Somerset, NJ seeks an Executive Director, Global Program Leader to oversee in‑vivo CAR‑T programs from IND to lifecycle management. You will align Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Manufacturing to execute integrated development strategies, ensuring timely global approvals and strong portfolio performance.

The role requires senior leadership, strategic thinking, and a track record in global development, with oncology/cell therapy experience highly

Qualifications

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree required.
• 10+ years biotech/pharma drug development experience.
• 5+ years leadership of global development programs.
• Experience in oncology, immunology, cell/gene therapy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design development pathways to INDs and global approvals.
• Lead regulatory strategy and major health authority interactions.
• Ensure readiness for INDs, CTAs, BLA/MAA submissions and lifecycle management.
• Chair Global Program Teams across Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Manufacturing.
• Manage cross-functional risk and governance for program execution.
• Present strategies and risks to executive leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Program leadership

Regulatory interactions

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD

Biotech/Pharma background

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in‑vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell (CAR‑T), T‑cell receptor (TCR‑T), natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta‑cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking an Executive Director, Global Program Leader as part of the Research & Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

The Executive Director, Global Program Leader (GPL) is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for the overall development, execution, and governance of Legend Biotech's in‑vivo CAR‑T programs.

Reporting directly to the President of R&D, the GPL serves as the single point of accountability for leading cross‑functional teams to define and execute integrated global development strategies from IND enabling through clinical proof‑of‑concept, late‑stage development, registration, and lifecycle management. The GPL ensures alignment of program strategy, timelines, resources, and operational execution across Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Translational Sciences, Technical Development, Manufacturing, Commercial, Business Development, and other key functions.

The successful candidate will combine strong scientific and clinical development expertise with exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities to advance innovative in‑vivo CAR‑T therapies for patients worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs to design efficient development pathways that maximize speed to proof‑of‑concept, pivotal development, and global approvals.
• Guide critical regulatory interactions and major health authority milestones.
• Ensure readiness and alignment for INDs, CTAs, BLA/MAA submissions, and lifecycle management activities.
• Chair Global Program Teams and provide leadership across all functional areas involved in program execution.
• Foster effective collaboration among Research, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Biometrics, CMC, Quality, Manufacturing, Commercial, Finance, and Business Development.
• Drive cross‑functional problem‑solving and ensure timely resolution of strategic and operational risks.
• Establish clear governance processes, decision frameworks, and accountability mechanisms.
• Present program strategies, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and governance committees.
• Lead preparation of development scenarios, investment analyses, milestone recommendations, and portfolio reviews.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on program status, emerging opportunities, and critical risks.
• Ensure effective risk management and contingency planning throughout development.
• Represent Legend Biotech in interactions with external partners, collaborators, investigators, key opinion leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Support business development assessments, diligence activities, and partnership opportunities related to in‑vivo CAR‑T technologies.
• Serve as a scientific and strategic ambassador for Legend's in‑vivo CAR‑T platform.
• Build a high‑performance, patient‑focused, and collaborative program culture.
• Mentor and develop program management and cross‑functional team members.
• Champion innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across development teams.

Requirements

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced scientific or medical degree required.
• Advanced training in oncology, immunology, cell and gene therapy, hematology, or related disciplines preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience in drug development.
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience managing complex, global development programs.
• Demonstrated success advancing biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, or other advanced therapeutic programs through clinical development.
• Direct experience leading cross‑functional development teams in a matrix environment.
• Experience supporting global regulatory interactions and major regulatory submissions.
• Experience in oncology, immunology, cell therapy, gene therapy, or in‑vivo genetic medicines strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of global drug development, clinical development, and registration pathways.
• Strong knowledge of cell and gene therapy development, including emerging in‑vivo CAR‑T technologies.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and portfolio management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions in complex environments.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and executive stakeholder management skills.
• Strong business acumen, financial awareness, and risk‑management capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead diverse global teams and achieve ambitious development goals.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast‑paced biotechnology environment.

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑and‑long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$256,073—$336,097 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.