Leader - Life Science

Life Science Sector Leader

HED is looking to add an experienced person to our Sector Leadership team. The person filling this position will work alongside the National Science and Technology team, and be responsible for spearheading the design and business strategy for cutting-edge biotech facilities that enable innovation in drug development, biologics, and advanced therapies.

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.

This role blends technical expertise with visionary leadership to create environments that support research, manufacturing, and compliance in a rapidly evolving industry. The Life Science Sector Leader is responsible for driving the strategic vision, growth, and operational excellence of the Life Sciences design practice within the organization. This role combines leadership, business development, and technical expertise to deliver innovative, compliant, and sustainable design solutions for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors.

This will be a hybrid role.

• Define and execute the practice's strategic plan aligned with corporate goals.
• Establish design standards, best practices, and quality benchmarks for life science projects.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and innovation.
• Develop and implement a design vision that aligns with the biotech company's mission to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
• Establish best practices for facility design that optimize flexibility, scalability, and sustainability for biotech operations.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in cell and gene therapy, biologics manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.

• Partner with internal stakeholders and external collaborators to deliver world-class biotech facilities.
• Lead design proposals for new labs, pilot plants, and GMP manufacturing spaces tailored to biotech needs.
• Represent the company at biotech industry forums and thought leadership events.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to expand market share in the life sciences sector.
• Collaborate with business development teams to identify opportunities and lead proposal efforts.
• Represent the practice at industry conferences, events, and thought leadership forums.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive market strategy with the Science and Technology team for the life sciences sector aligned with corporate objectives.
• Identify emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory changes to position the company as an industry leader.
• Define target markets, service offerings, and go-to-market strategies to drive revenue growth

• Oversee design execution for complex biotech facilities, ensuring compliance with GMP, FDA, EMA, and global standards.
• Integrate advanced technologies such as modular clean rooms, single-use systems, and digital design tools (BIM).
• Ensure designs support innovation, operational efficiency, and rapid scale-up for clinical and commercial production.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to design teams across architecture, engineering, and process disciplines.
• Ensure projects meet client expectations for functionality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Build a High-Performing Team: Recruit top talent with expertise in biotech facility design, including architects, engineers, and process specialists.

Mentorship & Career Growth: Provide structured mentorship programs and individualized development plans to help team members advance their technical and leadership skills.

Foster

Collaboration:

Create an environment…