Head of Global Strategic and Scientific Partnerships - Vaccines Research and Development

Job title:

Head of Global Strategic and Scientific Partnerships - Research and Development - Vaccines

Location:

Swiftwater, PA / Waltham, MA/Washington, DC

About the Job

Are you ready to shape the future of medicine? The race is on to speed up drug discovery and development to find answers for patients and their families. Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress. Join our Vaccines R&D Leadership Team as Head of Scientific & Strategic Partnerships and you'll define and execute our external innovation strategy, identifying and integrating breakthrough science and technologies into Sanofi's vaccine pipeline while building strategic alliances that position us as the partner of choice for vaccine innovation.

We are an innovative global healthcare company that helps the world stay ahead of infectious diseases by delivering more than 500 million vaccine doses a year. Across different countries, our talented teams are exploring new technologies to protect people and promote healthy communities. We chase the miracles of science every single day, pursuing progress to make a real impact on millions of patients around the world.

In the context of the R&D evolution. our position is currently in Project Status, where the scope of this position may continue to evolve.

Our Team

The Scientific & Strategic Partnerships team is at the heart of Sanofi's vaccine innovation strategy. We are a diverse, international group of scientists, business development professionals, and strategic thinkers united by a shared passion for advancing global health through breakthrough vaccine innovation.

Leadership & Structure:

* You will report directly to the Head of Vaccines R&D (Jean-Francois Toussaint)

* You will be a member of the Vaccines R&D Leadership Team (VRDLT), contributing to strategic decisions and portfolio priorities

* You will lead and develop the Scientific & Strategic Partnerships team

What we do:

* Identify and evaluate promising external science and technologies from around the world

* Build strategic partnerships with leading academic institutions, biotech companies, and global health organizations

* Secure external funding to accelerate vaccine development

* Integrate external innovations into Sanofi's vaccine pipeline

* Shape the future of pandemic preparedness and global health security

Who we are:

* Scientists with deep expertise in immunology, vaccinology, and translational medicine

* Business development specialists with proven track records in partnerships and licensing

* Collaborative leaders committed to cross-functional alignment and innovation

Our culture:

* We value scientific rigor combined with entrepreneurial thinking

* We communicate transparently and embrace calculated risk-taking

* We celebrate diversity of thought as a source of innovation

* We are committed to work-life balance and professional development

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Main responsibilities:

* Develop and implement a comprehensive external innovation and partnership strategy aligned with Vaccines R&D portfolio priorities

* Drive measurable pipeline value through strategic licensing, co-development agreements, and technology acquisitions that strengthen competitive positioning

* Lead scientific and strategic evaluation of external opportunities, coordinating cross-functional due diligence and providing clear go/no-go recommendations

* Build and maintain strategic relationships with academic institutions, biotech companies, government agencies, and global health organizations across Europe and globally

* Identify and secure external funding opportunities including BARDA, CEPI, NIH, Horizon Europe, and other public-private partnerships

* Represent Sanofi in pandemic preparedness programs, policy discussions, and industry consortia at the highest levels

* Ensure seamless integration of external partnerships into R&D processes in close collaboration with Business Development and cross-functional teams

* Lead and develop the Scientific & Strategic Partnerships team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

About You

* PhD, MD/PhD, or MD in Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases,…