Vx RD Global Head Project Management

Scorpion Therapeutics; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 210,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Parental leave (14 weeks)

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Vaccine R&D Project Leader to set strategic direction for vaccine programs, establish best-in-class governance, and drive AI-enabled planning across the portfolio.

You will oversee end-to-end execution, manage risk and compliance, lead a global team of 15+ project managers, and ensure alignment with Manufacturing & Supply while traveling up to 20%.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for Vaccines R&D project management by establishing best-in-class standards, governance frameworks, and AI/digital-enabled practices.
• Drive portfolio execution by overseeing end-to-end delivery against scope, schedule, cost, and quality; monitor pipeline health and ensure timely escalation/corrective action.
• Lead risk management and compliance across New Vaccine projects, including proactive risk identification, lessons learned, and readiness for internal audits.
• Enable governance through transparent Stage Gate processes; act as TARC Secretary and liaison between Vaccine R&D and Corporate Portfolio Management.
• Lead and develop talent (global team of 15+ project managers).
• Oversee financial and resource planning; provide input to resources/cost forecasts and ensure alignment across R&D, Franchise, and Manufacturing & Supply.

Skills

Strategic leadership

R&D project management

Governance & risk

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD in Life Sciences or related field

Tools

PMBOK

Hybrid

Agile

Job description

Main Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for Vaccines R&D project management by establishing best-in-class standards, governance frameworks, and AI/digital-enabled practices.
• Drive portfolio execution by overseeing end-to-end delivery against scope, schedule, cost, and quality; monitor pipeline health and ensure timely escalation/corrective action.
• Lead risk management and compliance across New Vaccine projects, including proactive risk identification, lessons learned, and readiness for internal audits.
• Enable governance through transparent Stage Gate processes; act as TARC Secretary and liaison between Vaccine R&D and Corporate Portfolio Management.
• Lead and develop talent (global team of 15+ project managers).
• Oversee financial and resource planning; provide input to resources/cost forecasts and ensure alignment across R&D, Franchise, and Manufacturing & Supply.

Qualifications & Requirements

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

Preferred Skills/Expertise

• Deep end-to-end vaccine/pharma value chain knowledge (Research→Clinical→Industrialization→Registration→Launch).
• PM methodologies (PMBOK, Hybrid, Agile preferred); proven risk management expertise.
• Business/financial acumen in high-investment pharma; experience rolling out digital planning tools/AI.
• English fluent (required); French fluent (preferred).
• Up to 20% travel.

Benefits

• Health and wellbeing benefits (high-quality healthcare, prevention/wellness programs) and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.