Senior BioPharma Translational Strategy & Applications Director

Company Description

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of its proprietary tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics. The Guardant Health oncology platform leverages capabilities to drive commercial adoption, improve patient clinical outcomes and lower healthcare costs across all stages of the cancer care continuum. Guardant Health has commercially launched Guardant360®, Guardant360 CDx, Guardant360 TissueNext™, Guardant360 Response™, and GuardantOMNI® tests for advanced stage cancer patients, and Guardant Reveal™ for early-stage cancer patients. The Guardant Health screening portfolio, including the Shield™ test, aims to address the needs of individuals eligible for cancer screening.

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Translational Strategy and Applications to lead strategic initiatives and long-range planning for our biopharma business. This pivotal role will bridge science and business by driving translational research strategies, supporting business development efforts, and serving as a technical subject matter expert in precision medicine and companion diagnostics for current and prospective biopharma clients. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in translational research, precision medicine, and diagnostics with particular emphasis on liquid biopsy technologies, and strategy development, with a proven track record in a leadership role.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute long-range strategies that align Biopharma translational research initiatives with corporate business objectives.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in biopharma, precision medicine, companion diagnostics testing and translational research to inform strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to establish organizational goals and ensure the integration of scientific insights into business decisions.

Business Development Support

• Provide expert technical insights to assess new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with business development teams to evaluate and prioritize collaboration opportunities.
• Represent the organization in external engagements with potential partners and other stakeholders.

Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as a technical authority on translational research, precision medicine and companion diagnostics.
• Guide cross-functional teams in leveraging advanced scientific methodologies to achieve business and research objectives.
• Maintain a strong understanding of regulatory, clinical, and scientific developments in the biopharma landscape.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead cross-functional teams to design and implement translational strategies that support drug development and commercialization.
• Act as a mentor and resource for internal teams, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.
• Collaborate with R&D, regulatory, and commercial teams to ensure cohesive execution of Biopharma programs.

Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field such as molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related discipline; additional business qualifications (e.g., MBA) are a plus
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years including leadership experience within the biopharma or diagnostics industry, with direct experience in oncology translational research, precision medicine, or related fields.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of biopharmaceutical drug development processes, translational research methodologies, and precision medicine strategies.  Working knowledge of molecular diagnostics commercialization particularly in oncology  
• Strategic Acumen: Proven ability to develop and execute strategies that integrate science and business objectives.
• Business Development: Experience supporting business development, partnerships, or licensing activities as a technical expert.
• Leadership: Strong track record of leading and influencing cross-functional teams and driving organizational goals.

Skills and Attributes:

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to navigate complex scientific and business challenges.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate high-level goals into actionable plans.
• Excellent networking skills and proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to fostering innovation and staying at t