Senior Director, Global Manufacturing Programs (Hybrid)

The United States Pharmacopeial Convention / USP; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 201,000 - 286,000; Full time

Job summary

USP in Rockville, MD seeks a Senior Technical Director to lead global manufacturing programs, including MedSuRe, with accountability for technical direction and delivery. You will steer matrixed teams, ensure milestone delivery, and uphold rigorous standards aligned with donor objectives.

You will translate complex manufacturing challenges into practical strategies, manage stakeholder expectations, and mentor diverse teams to advance quality standards in global health manufacturing, including

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Public Health, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience with leadership in pharma/biotech/advanced manufacturing.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing, tech transfer, scale-up, and process validation.
• Experience leading complex programs with risk, dependencies, and technical complexity.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.
• Experience in donor-funded global health programs; ability to communicate with donors.
• Knowledge of LMIC operational realities; preference for Africa.
• Knowledge of small molecules, solid dosage forms, or parenteral products.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end technical leadership on MedSuRe and other programs across manufacturing programs, setting direction.
• Oversee technical execution through matrixed teams, meeting milestones and quality standards.
• Establish governance frameworks and best practices for consistency and rigor.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks; escalate when needed.
• Monitor and report on performance, milestones, and risks for leadership visibility.
• Drive continuous improvement across technical approaches and delivery models.

Skills

Leadership experience

Cross-functional leadership

Matrixed teams

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Risk management

Donor-funded programs

LMIC manufacturing knowledge

Pharmaceutical manufacturing knowledge

Education

Advanced degree (Ph.D./MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences/chemistry/public health

Job description

Description

How will YOU create impact here at USP?

As part of our mission to advance scientific rigor and public health standards, you will play a vital role in increasing global access to high-quality medicines through public standards and related programs. USP prioritizes scientific integrity, regulatory excellence, and evidence-based decision-making to ensure health systems worldwide can rely on strong, tested, and globally relevant quality standards.

Additionally, USP’s People and Culture division, in partnership with the Equity Office, invests in leadership and workforce development to equip all employees with the skills to create high-performing, inclusive teams. This includes training in equitable management practices and tools to promote engaged, collaborative, and results-driven work environments.

The Senior Technical Director, Global Manufacturing Programs

Technical Leadership and Delivery

• Provide end-to-end technical leadership on MedSuRe and other assigned programs across manufacturing programs, setting technical direction and ensuring alignment with approved program strategies and donor objectives.
• Oversee technical execution through matrixed teams, ensuring delivery against milestones, quality standards, and performance expectations.
• Establish and uphold technical standards, governance frameworks, and best practices to ensure consistency, rigor, and scalability across programs.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks, escalating critical issues to the Department Head when necessary.
• Monitor and report on technical performance, milestones, and risks, providing leadership with clear visibility.
• Drive continuous improvement across technical approaches and delivery models to enhance efficiency and impact.

Strategic Execution and Portfolio Integration

• Translate organizational and donor-driven strategies into actionable program plans, including workplans, milestones, and resource alignment.
• Ensure coherence and integration across technical workstreams to enable efficient, coordinated execution.
• Contribute to program prioritization and resource planning in partnership with the Head of Global Pharmaceutical Programs.
• Ensure all technical outputs meet high standards of quality, compliance, and relevance to global health manufacturing objectives, including the operational realities of African LMIC environments.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Serve as a senior technical representative in engagements with donors, partners, and external stakeholders, leading or contributing to technical discussions and program reviews.
• Support and, where appropriate, lead donor communications related to technical progress, performance, and risk management.
• Translate complex technical information into clear, accessible communications for donor and partner audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Represent the organization in external forums, positioning its technical expertise and advancing its reputation in global health manufacturing.
• Lead or contribute to the development of technical strategies for proposals and new initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational capabilities and market needs.

Team Leadership And Collaboration

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary, geographically dispersed teams through matrixed structures, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to strengthen the team's capabilities and ensure the consistent application of standards and best practices.
• Promote a culture of rigor, continuous learning, and excellence across all technical and programmatic activities.

Who is USP Looking For?

The Successful Candidate Will Have a Demonstrated Understanding Of Our Mission, Commitment To Excellence Through Inclusive And Equitable Behaviors And Practices, And The Ability To Quickly Build Credibility With Stakeholders, Along With The Following Competencies And Experience

• Advanced degree (Ph.D., MS, or equivalent) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Public Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience, including leadership experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, or advanced manufacturing environments, with a strong understanding of drug development and commercialization processes.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, including technology transfer, scale up, and process validation, as well as regulatory approval pathways and route-to-market strategies within regulated environments.
• Proven experience leading complex programs or portfolios, including managing risk, dependencies, and technical complexity across concurrent workstreams.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional, matrixed teams, aligning diverse stakeholders, and coordinating multiple workstreams to deliver against shared objectives and timelines.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills, including the ability to translate technical work into clear impact narratives.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and drive alignment across senior technical teams.
• Experience supporting donor-funded global health programs, including communicating technical strategies, progress, performance, and risks to donor stakeholders.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing and health product challenges in LMIC operating environments. Experience working in or supporting programs in African LMICs is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of small molecules, solid dosage forms, and/or parenteral products is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Yes.

Benefits

USP provides the benefits to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off and comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial well‑being is protected.

Compensation

• Base Salary Range: USD $200,812.00 - $286,157.00 annually.
• Target Annual Bonus: 13%/Varies based on role level.
• Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate’s skill set, experience, qualifications, equity, and other job-related reasons.
• Note: USP does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd-party recruitment agencies and is not responsible for fees incurred by recruiters or other agencies, except under a specific written agreement with USP.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

Job Category

Technical Programs

Job Type

Full-Time