Executive Director, Vaccines Testing Lab

ThermoFisher Scientific; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Vaccines Laboratory Leader in Virginia to provide strategic and operational leadership across vaccine development laboratories, including antigen discovery, assay development, and immunogenicity testing. The role drives scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management from early development through commercialization.

The position requires extensive experience in vaccine programs, leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, and strong budgeting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant life sciences field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Extensive experience in vaccine development, biologics, or related pharmaceutical laboratory environments (15+ years).
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary laboratory teams supporting vaccine R&D programs.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership and people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead Vaccine Laboratory Operations across development labs and programs.
• Drive scientific and technical excellence in method development, qualification, validation, and transfer.
• Integrate cross-functional functions with Quality, PPI, Automation, Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
• Ensure regulatory and biosafety compliance; lead inspections and audits.
• Provide strategic and financial leadership including budgets and capital planning.
• Support business growth through external partnerships and technology transfer.
• Develop and mentor high-performing scientific teams and foster continuous improvement.
• Establish KPIs and optimization initiatives to improve productivity and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Vaccine development

Regulatory knowledge

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related life sciences

Advanced degree (MS, PhD) strongly preferred

Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Join Us as a Vaccines Laboratory Leader - Drive Innovation in Vaccine Development

The Vaccines Laboratory Leader provides strategic and operational leadership for vaccine-focused laboratory operations, supporting research, development, characterization, and lifecycle management of vaccine products. This role integrates scientific excellence, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to accelerate vaccine programs from early development through commercialization.

The Vaccines Laboratory Leader sets operational standards, develops long-term laboratory strategy, manages budgets and capital investments, and ensures compliance with global regulatory and biosafety requirements. This role may require up to 30% travel.

What You’ll Do:

Lead Vaccine Laboratory Operations

Provide strategic and operational leadership across vaccine development laboratories, including antigen discovery, assay development, immunogenicity testing, viral/bacterial characterization, and stability programs.

Drive Scientific & Technical Excellence

Oversee development, qualification, validation, and transfer of analytical methods supporting vaccine drug substance and drug product programs. Ensure scientific rigor and innovation in support of novel vaccine platforms (e.g., mRNA, viral vectors, recombinant proteins, adjuvants).

Integrate Cross-Functional Functions

Partner with Quality, PPI, Automation, Operations and Regulatory Affairs to ensure seamless program execution from early development through commercialization and lifecycle management.

Ensure Regulatory & Biosafety Compliance

Oversee adherence to global regulatory standards (FDA, EMA, WHO, MHRA, etc.), applicable GxP requirements, and biosafety regulations. Lead inspection readiness efforts and represent laboratory operations during audits and regulatory interactions.

Strategic & Financial Leadership

Develop operating budgets, capital expenditure plans, and long-term forecasts. Optimize laboratory resources, space allocation, and instrumentation to maximize operational efficiency and program success.

Support Business Growth & External Partnerships

Collaborate with Business Development to support new vaccine program opportunities, external partnerships, and technology transfers. Contribute technical expertise during client engagements and due diligence activities.

Talent & Organizational Development

Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing scientific teams. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Establish laboratory goals, KPIs, and performance metrics. Implement process improvements to enhance productivity, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related life sciences field required; advanced degree (MS, PhD) strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience in vaccine development, biologics, or related pharmaceutical laboratory environments (typically 15+ years).
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary laboratory teams supporting vaccine R&D programs.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership and people management experience.
• Strong understanding of vaccine platforms, immunology, and biologics development lifecycle.

Years of experience reflect typical requirements and are not the sole determinant in employment decisions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of vaccine development processes, including antigen design, immunogenicity assessment, potency assays, and stability testing.
• Strong expertise in biologics analytical methodologies (e.g., ELISA, neutralization assays, PCR/qPCR, cell-based assays, flow cytometry, viral titration, HPLC, mass spectrometry).
• Comprehensive understanding of global regulatory requirements and biosafety standards (BSL-2/3 as applicable), and regulatory guidelines relevant to vaccine development.
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, BLA, MAA) and inspection readiness.
• Proven financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities.
• Experience with technology transfer and scale-up activities.
• Demonstrated success in building, developing, and retaining high-performing scientific teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present technical strategies to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven, innovative mindset.
• Global mindset with experience working across international teams and regulatory environments.

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work performed in office and laboratory environments, including BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 settings as applicable.
• Routine use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including lab coats, gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection where required.
• Potential exposure to biological materials, infectious agents, and regulated chemicals in controlled laboratory environments.
• Occasional exposure to temperature-controlled environments (cold rooms, freezers).
• Travel up to 30%, including domestic and occasional international travel.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Virginia is $225,000.00-$260,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.