Global Switch Science Lead (Innovation)

Global Switch Science Lead (Innovation)

• Location: Morristown, NJ (Hybrid)

About the job

Are you ready to shape the future of Consumer Health? Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress. Join our  Global Switch group as Global Switch Science Lead (Innovation) where you will be responsible for leading the switch development program to approval of an assigned Rx-OTC Switch asset in target market and assessing new switch assets for growth opportunities.

This role involves developing and executing program strategies for global programs, interacting with cross-functional teams, and collaborating with internal and key external stakeholders. The individual will manage regulatory experts as direct report. Works closely with the Global Commercial Lead. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader, who has a deep understanding of the Rx-OTC switch requirements and regulatory approval process, strong leadership skills, and a track record of successful switch programs.

Opella, the Consumer Healthcare business unit of Sanofi, is the purest and third-largest player globally in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market.  We have an unshakable belief in the power of self-care and the role it can play in creating a healthier society and a healthier planet. That’s why we want to make self-care as simple as it should be by being consumer-led always, with science at our core. Through our unique and balanced portfolio of more than 100 loved brands, including 15 global and local high-growth challengers such as Allegra, Dulcolax and Buscopan, we deliver our mission: helping more than half a billion consumers worldwide take their health in their hands. 

This mission is brought to life by an 11,000-strong team, 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites, and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. We are also proud to be the first major fast-moving consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp certification.

Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands.

Main responsibilities:

• Oversee Switch Science Program Execution: Manage all workstreams, direct reports, and matrixed colleagues to ensure delivery of switch program priorities.

• Budget and Timeline Management: Oversee project budgets and timelines, ensuring key milestones are met within financial constraints.

• Regulatory Compliance and Submission: Ensure all regulatory submissions are complete, accurate, and aligned with both global and local requirements. Lead strategy development for regulatory authority interactions.

• Drive Program Efficiency: Identify opportunities to deliver switch programs more efficiently while maintaining budget adherence and quality standards.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Provide progress updates to senior management, represent the science team in partner meetings, and lead external engagements on strategic and tactical issues.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with various departments, including regulatory, safety, medical affairs, commercial, and consumer insights, to ensure comprehensive support for switch programs.

• Innovation and Due Diligence: Lead science evaluations for new switch assets, develop early-phase assessment processes, and contribute to business development through due diligence and strategy alignment.

About you

• Education Requirements: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) required; advanced degrees such as MS, PhD, or PharmD are preferred.

• Relevant Experience: 15+ years of industry experience, including at least 5 years of hands-on Rx-to-OTC switch experience with a proven track record of milestone delivery.

• Regulatory and Medical Knowledge: Strong understanding of regulatory and medical requirements across target markets, with demonstrated success in navigating global or regional regulatory environments.

• Clinical and Consumer Studies: Experience conducting clinical and consumer studies relevant to switch products is highly desirable.

• Drug-Device Combination Expertise: Familiarity with approval processes for drug-device combination products (e.g., diagnostics, software as a medical device) is a plus.

• Leadership and Collaboration: Proven ability to manage direct reports, lead cross-functional teams, and drive project execution in a collaborative, global environment.

• Communication and Adaptability: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt to evolving business and regulatory landscapes. Hybrid work model requiring 2–3 days in the Morristown, NJ office.