Executive Director, Research Therapeutic Area Lead, Immunology/Transplant and Vaccines

As a member of the R&D Executive Leadership Team,  this role holds a key leadership position within the R&D organizations of the CSL Enterprise. In this leadership role you will develop, implement, and maintain a forward-thinking Research Immunology/Transplant strategy and Vaccines strategy, in alignment with the overarching Therapeutic Leadership Teams for T&I and Vaccines.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop strategies to mitigate disruptive innovation for the plasma-derived Ig product portfolio 
• Proactively contribute to all 5 TA strategies where immunology is a key driver 
• Drive generation of scientific insights using internal and external expertise to progress projects and life cycle management goals in support of R&D and commercial products across the company 
• Oversee CSL’s interactions with multi-national government authorities key for developing and maintaining a vaccines product portfolio 

Strategic Leadership:

• Accountable for the Immunology & Transplant project portfolio and its turnover and maturation in alignment with the overall CSL therapeutic strategy 
• Oversee new Research projects from target/pathway identification through to lead discovery and IND enabling studies 
• Provide expert scientific leadership and advice to Immunology/Transplant TALT and cross TA opportunities based on related pathomechanisms 
• Drive CSL’s drug discovery to ensure development of a commercial portfolio that contributes to the company’s vision of being a leading plasma biotech company 

Team Management:

• Lead a team of scientific SMEs: Research Product Leads & Disease Area experts to develop strategy and manage internal and external projects 
• Leadership in a matrix working environment with relevant heads of drug development functions to ensure project delivery 

Research and Development:

• Drive scientific innovation by identifying novel targets, pathways, and therapeutic approaches in Immunology & Transplantation 
• Ensure robust experimental design, data integrity, and scientific rigor across all research programs 
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning within the team 
• Translate scientific discoveries into viable therapeutic candidates aligned with unmet medical needs 

External Engagement:

• Leverage existing external network to build and maintain strong relationships with academic institutions, biotech partners, CROs, and key opinion leaders 
• Represent the organization at scientific conferences, advisory boards, and in external collaborations 
• Identify and evaluate external innovation opportunities, including licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions 
• Serve as a scientific ambassador for the company’s Immunology/Transplant research strategy 

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure all research activities comply with internal policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements 
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Regulatory teams to support IND submissions and regulatory interactions 
• Maintain accurate and auditable documentation of research activities and decisions 
• Promote a culture of compliance, safety, and continuous improvement 

Innovation and Technology:

• Champion the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, platforms, and methodologies to enhance research capabilities 
• Evaluate and implement digital tools, AI/ML, and high-throughput systems to accelerate discovery 
• Encourage a forward-looking mindset that embraces scientific and technological advancements 
• Lead initiatives to explore emerging trends and disruptive innovations in Immunology & Transplantation 

Required  Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology) 
• Significant international experience (>15 years) and a proven track record in senior R&D leadership positions in the Pharma/Biotech industry with at least 10 years in a leadership or managerial role 
• Demonstration of creating and executing on strategic initiatives 
• Direct experience of end-to-end R&D development from project initiation through to launch 
• Strong external network with academic institutions, biotech partners, CROs, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) 

Travel Requirements: 

• This role will require 25% to 30%  travel across various locations.

Our Benefits

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