Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF), Vaccines R&D

BioSpace; Swiftwater (Monroe County); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanofi seeks a Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF) for Vaccines R&D to drive a worldwide external partnerships and funding program. You will shape strategy across regions, lead a high‑performing team, and align with R&D, Manufacturing, and Portfolio leadership to accelerate vaccine development and impact.

The role requires a PhD or MD/PharmD with 10+ years in public‑private partnerships, exceptional negotiation and cross‑cultural collaboration skills, and fluency in English to

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MD/PharmD in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of post-graduate experience.
• Experience in establishing public-private partnerships.
• Fluent English communication, verbal and written.
• Ability to work in international settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the global external partnership strategy across the value chain.
• Lead and manage the SPF team across regions to ensure operational excellence.
• Build and sustain a network of external partners and funders globally.
• Oversee grant submissions, budgets and compliance requirements.
• Report progress to leadership and define KPIs for external funding initiatives.
• Explore innovative funding streams and partnership models.

Education

Ph.D. in relevant field

MD/PharmD

Job description

Job Title: Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF), Vaccines R&D

Location: Swiftwater, PA

About The Job

The Global Head, Science Partnerships and Funding (SPF), Vaccines R&D, will be responsible for building and sustaining Sanofi Vaccines network of external public and private organizations that will enable the success of the New Vaccine Portfolio through broad strategic partnerships and external funding projects. Reporting to the Global Head, Strategic and Scientific Partnerships, the Global Head-SPF is responsible for providing strategic, scientific and operational leadership of current and new global public‑private partnerships while maintaining timelines and budget. The Global Head will have under his/her direction and management, the leads for development of each region, namely, UK/Europe and Middle East, Americas, France, and Asia Pacific.

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next‑gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI‑driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you'll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunisation. Join the engine of Sanofi's mission where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI‑powered research. In R&D, you'll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.

About Sanofi

We're an R&D‑driven, AI‑powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system and innovative pipeline enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives.

Main Responsibilities

Develop and implement the Sanofi Vaccines global external partnership strategy across the entire value chain (Research to Industrialisation): Engage effectively key internal stakeholders (from various organisations such as R&D, Vaccine Manufacturing & Supply, Vaccine Portfolio Strategy, Vaccines GBU Executive Committee members) in order to articulate and validate the priority gaps and needs for external partnerships and external financing and to define unambiguously the metrics of success of such partnerships. Develop the decision‑making processes for selection and administration of the grants; must have excellent strategic acumen to weigh the benefits/risks associated with each funding opportunity and put forward recommendations and decisions to Vaccines leadership.

Lead and manage the Science Partnerships and Funding Team within the Strategic and Scientific Partnerships Organisation: Recruit, manage and develop a high‑performing global team, ensuring operational excellence of the team across the entire value chain while maintaining agility to adapt to the constantly changing global environment (i.e., public‑private partnerships, funding opportunities, funder requirements, Vaccines Global Business Unit (GBU) priorities, etc).

Develop and execute global/regional external stakeholder/funders engagement plan: Build the global network of external partners and funders (US, EU, UK, Asia/Pacific, Middle East, Americas) for Sanofi vaccines and implement robust engagement plans in order to maintain the relationships with the agencies. Collaborate closely with Sanofi organisations with strong regional presence such as Public Affairs, Global Medical Affairs and Commercial Operations, to deliver on this objective.

Develop and execute robust processes and stakeholder engagement for partnership submission and administration: For grant submissions, oversee the responses to Request‑For‑Proposals (RFPs) from external funding agencies by mobilising and collaborating with multiple Sanofi partners (Business Development, Intellectual/Legal, R&D functions, Global Project Heads, Manufacturing & Supply, Finance, etc) to deliver high‑quality proposals and budgets. For partnerships, develop the objectives and value creation proposition of the partnerships by engaging both external partners and internal R&D and business stakeholders. Organise the cross‑functional team and define the processes for administering the grants and /or partnerships internally and externally (if applicable) along with plans to ensure strong company compliance with the requirements of the grants.

Report progress to the Global Vaccine Business executive committee, project steering committees, Portfolio Leadership, on partnership opportunities and activities and their impact to the vaccine business. Develop the key performance indicators for the external grants, define the risks associated with the grants to our business and by engaging all stakeholders, develop and implement the plans in place to mitigate these risks.

Innovate: Investigate non‑conventional and innovative funding streams and partnership models to support and finance R&D/infrastructure investments and enable the ambitions of the Vaccine GBU, assess their strategic fit of such opportunities with our ambitions, and pursue these opportunities if and when appropriate.

About You

Ph.D. in any of the relevant fields bacteriology, virology, immunology, infectious diseases, or a related discipline or an M.D. or Pharm.D.

10+ years of post‑graduate work experience

Experience in establishing public‑private partnerships

Resourceful and constantly up‑to‑date to emerging partnership opportunities for Sanofi Vaccines

Demonstrated interpersonal skills - ability to work with individuals at different levels and managing through influence

Agent of change

Demonstrated team and negotiation skills

Fluent English communication skills, verbal and written

Ability to work in international settings

Why Choose Us?

Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future‑focused team.

Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether its through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

Enjoy a thoughtful, well‑crafted rewards package that recognises your contribution and amplifies your impact.

Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high‑quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programmes and at least 14 weeks gender‑neutral parental leave.

Work at the forefront of AI‑driven research, smart manufacturing, andgroundbreaking mRNA platforms that are redefining the future of immunology.

Help protect half a billion people every year, contributing to one of the largest globalvaccination efforts in healthcare.

Develop your career with access to mentoring, international mobility programmes, andopportunities to grow across four continents.

Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; colour; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programmes, and additional benefits information can be found here.