Distinguished Scientist, Group Head Biochemistry

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific Leadership & Strategy

* Provide strategic direction and scientific oversight for biochemistry activities supporting multiple drug discovery programs across diverse therapeutic areas

* Serve as the primary biochemistry expert and thought leader, guiding project teams on assay design, target characterization, and mechanism of action studies

* Drive innovation in biochemical assay technologies and methodologies to enhance drug discovery capabilities

* Establish and maintain scientific standards and best practices for biochemistry within In Vitro Biology

* Represent biochemistry expertise in cross-functional project teams and governance committees

* Use AI/ML and robotics to accelerate drug discovery cycle times.

Team Leadership & Development

* Lead, mentor, and develop a team of biochemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration

* Recruit, retain, and develop top scientific talent to build a world-class biochemistry organization

* Conduct performance management, including goal setting, feedback, and career development for direct reports

* Create an inclusive environment that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and professional growth

* Promote Sanofi's values of Aim Higher, Act for Patients, Be Bold, and Lead Together within the team

Drug Discovery Execution

* Oversee the design, development, and execution of biochemical assays for target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization

* Ensure timely delivery of high-quality biochemistry data to support project milestones and decision-making

* Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, and other disciplines to advance compounds through discovery stages

* Troubleshoot complex biochemical challenges and provide innovative solutions to overcome technical obstacles

* Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and platforms to enhance biochemistry capabilities

Collaboration & Communication

* Partner effectively with internal stakeholders across Research, Development, and Global functions

* Build and maintain external collaborations with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and contract research organizations

* Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership

* Contribute to scientific publications, patents, and presentations at external conferences

* Participate in scientific advisory boards and industry forums as a Sanofi representative

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

* Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology, or related scientific discipline and 8+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery industry.

* At least 5+ years of people management experience, including leading and developing scientific teams

* Proven track record of contributions to successful drug discovery programs from early research through candidate selection

Technical Expertise

* Deep expertise in biochemical assay development and characterization across multiple target classes (enzymes, protein-protein interactions, epigenetic targets, etc.)

* Strong understanding of enzyme kinetics, binding thermodynamics, and structure-activity relationships

* Hands-on experience with diverse biochemical techniques including fluorescence, luminescence, mass spectrometry, surface plasmon resonance, and other biophysical methods

* Knowledge of assay automation, high-throughput screening, and data analysis methodologies

* Expertise in the field of protein degradation or molecular glues (degraders-non degraders)

* Understanding of drug discovery processes from target identification through clinical candidate nomination

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

* Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing scientific teams

* Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities

* Strong communication skills with ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders

* Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

* Collaborative mindset with experience working in matrix organizations

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with novel therapeutic modalities such as targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, covalent inhibitors, or allosteric modulators

* Expertise in specific therapeutic areas of strategic importance to Sanofi (immunology, oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience)

* Track record of scientific publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals

* Experience with regulatory submissions and interactions with health authorities

* Familiarity with AI/ML applications in drug discovery and computational biochemistry

* Previous experience in a Level 4+ leadership role within a pharmaceutical organization

* Established network within the scientific community and industry

Leadership Competencies

Aim Higher

* Sets ambitious scientific goals and inspires the team to achieve excellence

* Drives continuous improvement in biochemistry capabilities and methodologies

* Challenges…