Senior Manager, Biotherapeutics R&D

Senior Manager, Biotherapeutics R&D

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and Med Tech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Manager, Biotherapeutics R&D, to be based on-site in Spring House, PA.

Purpose:

We are seeking an accomplished scientific leader to define and advance our next-generation immunotherapy design strategy. Reporting to the Executive Director of Biologics Design and Function, this role will shape scientific direction, drive execution, and identify differentiated therapeutic opportunities grounded in deep biological insight and translational relevance. This is not a project management role; it is an opportunity to tackle one of the most important unsolved challenges in biologics and build a new therapeutic capability for the company.

As a key scientific leader within our R&D organization, the Senior Manager will help shape future research priorities with senior leadership, deepen understanding of differentiated therapeutic concepts tied to critical patient needs, identify and integrate emerging technologies, and recruit, develop, and inspire exceptional scientific talent. The role also requires disciplined delivery against ambitious discovery pipeline goals, balancing innovation, scientific rigor, and resource stewardship.

You will be responsible for:

• Own the scientific strategy and execution for next-generation platforms designed to create differentiated medicines across immunology, oncology, and adjacent disease areas.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams spanning discovery biology, protein design/optimization, translational sciences, computational biology, pharmacology, and therapeutic area expertise to advance programs from concept through candidate selection.
• Drive the creation of novel therapeutic architectures that selectively recruit and program immune responses against disease-driving biology.
• Define and implement molecular strategies that enhance therapeutic activity while regulating biological response and expanding therapeutic index.
• Translate advances in immunology, systems biology, synthetic biology, computational sciences, and protein engineering into actionable therapeutic opportunities and platform capabilities.
• Maintain end-to-end ownership of scientific decisions that influence molecule performance, differentiation strategy, and long-term portfolio value.
• Identify and resolve critical biological and engineering bottlenecks affecting efficacy, safety, develop ability, and translational potential.
• Convert complex and ambiguous scientific questions into executable research strategies, measurable milestones, and portfolio decisions.
• Drive rapid hypothesis generation, experimental learning cycles, and evidence-based decision-making across programs.
• Mentor and develop high-performing scientists while fostering a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, accountability, and bold thinking.
• Build teams that challenge assumptions and pursue bold ideas while maintaining strong execution discipline.

Qualifications:

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Typically 8+ years of relevant research experience in biotechnology, biopharma, or leading translational academic environments.
• Deep expertise in immune cell biology and the mechanisms governing cellular activation, signaling, differentiation, and functional response.
• Demonstrated success advancing biologic therapeutics from discovery through candidate selection.
• Strong understanding of translational pharmacology, disease biology, and mechanisms of therapeutic differentiation.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary scientific teams in complex, matrixed research environments.

• Experience with multispecific therapeutic modalities, immune-engaging platforms, or engineered signaling systems.
• Expertise spanning multiple immune cell populations, including innate and adaptive immune biology.
• Experience in mechanistic assay development, human translational systems, and biomarker strategy.
• Strong publication, patent, and/or drug discovery track record.
• Demonstrated ability to translate frontier science into differentiated therapeutic opportunities and platform value.

What Exceptional Candidates Often Bring:

• The ability to connect first-principles biology with…