Vx RD Global Head Project Management

Biopharma Careers; Swiftwater (MS); On-site; USD 210,000 - 303,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanofi is seeking a seasoned Head of Vaccine Global Project Management to guide multi-site R&D programs from strategy to execution. You will build governance, standards, and AI-enabled tools to accelerate vaccine development while maintaining quality and budget controls.

You will lead a 20+ team with 4 direct reports, collaborating with senior leadership to align portfolio goals with corporate strategy. English required; French preferred, and international travel up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's or PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent preferred.
• Professional certification: PMP, Agile, or equivalent preferred.
• 10 years of related experience in pharmaceutical R&D project/program management required.
• 3 years of people leadership experience required.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for Vaccines R&D project management by establishing standards and AI/digital practices across the portfolio.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery against scope, schedule, cost, and quality baselines; monitor pipeline health and escalation.
• Lead risk management and compliance across all New Vaccine projects; ensure proactive risk identification and audit readiness.
• Enable governance through Stage Gate processes; act as TARC Secretary and liaison between Vaccine R&D and Corporate Portfolio Management.
• Inspire and develop talent by leading a global team of 15+ project managers and drive digital innovation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Change management

Decision making

Coaching

Cross-functional agility

Digital/AI mindset

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's or PhD preferred

PMP/Agile cert

Job description

Job title: Vx RD Global Head Project Management

Location: Swiftwater, PA, Waltham, MA, Washington DC

About the Job

To support sustainable growth, Sanofi Vaccine’s ambition is to build and deliver an innovative first and/or best in class New Vaccine portfolio. This ambition is coupled with the necessity to continuously look at optimizing our operating model to accelerate our portfolio delivery to bring transformative vaccines faster to our patients. This implies to continuously rethink our ways of working, optimizing our interfaces and collaboration to ensure agile and optimal operating model.

Our specific mission in Vaccine RD Transversal Operations team is to provide optimized support and services to Vaccine RD functions.

The Head of Vaccine Global Project Management leads New Vaccines R&D project management function, translating corporate strategy into executable project plans while ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and delivery of complex vaccine development programs.

You will be responsible for establishing best-in-class project management standards, governance frameworks, and AI/Digital-enabled practices across the portfolio, with the ultimate goal of delivering vaccines at optimal time-to-market, within budget, and in full alignment with Sanofi's strategic objectives.

You will lead a team of 20+, with 4 direct reports:

• Head of France Project Management
• Head of North America & International Project Management
• Risk & Compliance Manager
• Administrative Support

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

• Set the strategic direction for Vaccines R&D project management by establishing best-in-class standards, governance frameworks, and AI/Digital-enabled practices across the portfolio
• Drive portfolio execution by overseeing end-to-end delivery against scope, schedule, cost, and quality baselines, monitoring pipeline health and ensuring timely escalation and corrective action
• Lead risk management and compliance across all New Vaccine projects, ensuring proactive risk identification, robust lessons learned processes, and readiness for internal audits
• Enable effective governance through transparent Stage Gate processes, acting as TARC Secretary and key liaison between Vaccine R&D and Corporate Portfolio Management
• Inspire and develop talent by leading a global team of 15+ project managers, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and digital innovation
• Oversee financial and resource planning, providing strategic input to resources and cost forecasts as well as ensuring alignment across R&D, Franchise, and Manufacturing & Supply

Dimensions / Scope

• Strategic Visibility: Direct interface with Vaccines R&D Leadership Team Corporate Portfolio Management, and external funding entities (BARDA and others)
• Global Impact: Lead an international team across multiple R&D sites (4 direct reports, total of 15+ Project Managers, Functional lead for Project planning Managers in Budapest)
• Innovation at the Forefront: Drive the integration of AI and digital tools into the future of project management for Vaccine RD project Management
• Leadership Platform: Build and develop the next generation of project management talent within Sanofi's Vaccines organization

About You

Education

• Bachelor's Degree required; master's or PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent preferred
• Professional certification: PMP, Agile, or equivalent preferred
• 10 years of related experience in pharmaceutical R&D project/program management required
• 3 years of people leadership experience required

Knowledge & Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of the end-to-end vaccine/pharma development value chain (Research → Clinical → Industrialization → Registration → Launch)
• Proven leadership in complex, global, matrixed environments
• Expertise in PM methodologies: PMBOK, Hybrid, Agile preferred
• Proven expertise in Risk Management
• Business acumen and financial management in high-investment pharmaceutical contexts
• Experience in digital planning tool or AI/digital solution rollout

Key Skills & Abilities

• Strategic & Tactical Thinking, Translates strategy into execution frameworks
• People Leadership, Mobilizes global teams and inspires action
• Influence & Stakeholder Management, Communicates effectively at operational and executive levels
• Change Management, Guides teams through transformation with confidence
• Decision-Making & Prioritization, Acts with clarity under pressure
• Coaching & Development, Builds capability through structured support
• Cross-Functional Agility, Operates effectively in multicultural, worldwide matrix environments
• Digital/AI Mindset, Anticipates and drives innovation in project management
• Up to 20% domestic and international travel required

Languages

• English fluent (required); French fluent (preferred)

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 it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes 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 programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave

Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.

Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.

Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.

Sanofi Inc. 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; color; 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.

North America Applicants Only

$210,000.00 - $303,333.33

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs. Additional benefits information can be found through the LINK .