Global Program Leader

“We are focused on results. Those that can be measured. And those measured in ways beyond numbers. We see individuals, not issues. We are inspired by passion, and compassion for the wellbeing of people. Our methods are based on logic, driven by rigor, results, issues, and outcomes. Our innovation means trying new things, learning from our mistakes, and consistently refining our approach. Our strategies help us define our path to success, but our effectiveness is based in the aggregate power of our initiatives to impact holistic change.”

 -Bill Gates

The Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) is a non-profit biopharmaceutical development organization primarily dedicated to the development of impactful biopharmaceutical interventions for diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, diseases that combined cause five deaths every minute.  Headquartered in Cambridge MA, the Institute is designed to advance novel drug, biologics, and vaccine candidates through late-stage development and registration.  The Institute encompasses experienced biopharmaceutical development professionals across regulatory, CMC, and clinical functions as well as comprehensive operational support functions.  The Institute’s programs are managed by its internal teams and functional areas in collaboration, working with partners across the global health ecosystem.

The Institute is based on five core “mantras” that are embedded within the organization and its people:

• Urgency: Execute with excellence to maximize impact.

• Collaboration: Establish empowered teams to drive our bottom line: lives saved.
• Innovation: Build on the known, uncover the new, achieve the unprecedented.
• Rigor: Drive the science, focus on the details, and execute with the highest quality.
• Courage: Dare to confront the world’s most significant global health challenges.

Though the Institute is a diverse group of passionate change-makers, creative fixers, and relentless advocates, these five core values are universally adopted by all who join it with the personal goal of improving the health and wellness of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

As a wholly owned subsidiary and separate legal entity of the Gates Foundation, the Institute partners scientifically, operationally, and financially with the foundation to leverage the foundation’s ongoing support and contributions toward the achievement of global health equity.

The Institute offers flexible work arrangements for local candidates (50% on site) and a competitive relocation package for those looking to move to the Cambridge, MA area for this on-site role.  Remote arrangements are not available at this time for this role.

THE POSITION

At the Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI), a Global Program Leader (GPL) is responsible for providing strategic direction and leading a Global Program Team (GPT).

A GPL will either lead one late-stage development program for a candidate medicinal product or one or more early-stage or platform-development programs.

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Development, the GPL will work in close partnership with the Gates MRI Leadership Team (Gates MRI LT). In this role, the GPL will also spearhead Gates MRI’s efforts on operationalizing collaborative efforts in Global Health product development related to the respective program(s) they oversee.  This will require ensuring operational alignment between the Gates MRI and the Gates Foundation (GF), and if applicable, The World Health Organization, and related pharmaceutical industry partners (sponsors, CROs, outsourced vendors, etc.) to facilitate and manage the timely delivery of the respective Gates MRI Program(s).

As the voice of the GPT, the GPL represents the program to leadership (i.e. Gates MRI LT, Portfolio Review Committee, and Board of Directors) and serves as the principal liaison and partner to other groups. The GPL will work closely with business development and legal during the licensing process and lead initiatives with program-related external business partners.

As the accountable owner of their respective program(s) the GPL leads and chairs the GPT, leading the creation and maintenance of both, a candidate Target Product Profile (cTPP) and an Integrated Product Development Plan (IPDP), which defines and lays out the program strategy.

The GPL will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure alignment of product development activities with program strategy. In this role, the GPL will drive the program team to develop a cohesive program plan with timelines, budget, and measurable milestones.  

The individual will be an independent thinker, self-motivated, outstanding team player, with an ability to influence, collaborate, and communicate effectively on behalf of the GPT and the Gates MRI both internally and externally.  The successful candidate will have a track record that demonstrates a shared passion and drive to achieve results in a complex and fast paced environment.    

An overview summary of accountabilities and responsibilities includes the following:

Accountabilities:

• Cross functional program leadership for pharmaceutical products/ vaccines to enable development through various pre-clinical/ clinical stages resulting in a submission/ approval
• Working closely with Gates Foundation (GF) and Gates MRI to drive the program through governance, make decisions to get program resources needed for successful execution.
• Develops a cross-functional team culture in the GPT (Global Program Team) to test and refine the strategy, working across functional teams and sub-teams; managing all stakeholders needed to support the program strategy
• Ensures execution of functional plans along agreed timelines, monitor sub-teams to drive execution of plans against strategy 
• Establishes KPI/measures to measure success and progress.
• Drives identification of critical path activities and the dependencies between those activities
• Drives the GPT to develop cross functional plans with budgets and takes accountability for delivering the program on time and within proposed budgets, while informing the governance bodies of the risks and mitigation plans

Responsibilities:

• Supports due diligence activities for assets that might enter the portfolio. May be actively involved in due diligence and contract negotiations, depending on the nature of the opportunity being evaluated.
• Ensure that the integration of new programs, in-licensed or partnered, progresses according to plan and risks -affecting resources or timelines- are assessed and mitigated.
• Challenges the GPT to think creatively about budgets and driving efficiencies across the system to develop frugal innovations for LMIC countries
• Develop and foster the continued growth of cross functional collaboration with an enterprise level mindset for each GPT
• Ensures development of risk and issue mitigation strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be an innovative and collaborative individual who thrives in an action oriented environment with a strong track record of hands-on experience in successful project/program management with the following mix of personal and professional characteristics:

15+ years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with in-depth experience in leading product development teams.

Has demonstrated agility in working across different therapeutic areas and/ or functions and has the credibility to lead cross functional team of experts who are experienced in their own domains.

General Experience:

• Advanced life-science degree (MS, PhD, MD/PhD, or PharmD) preferred, working knowledge of new therapeutic interventions, such as gene therapies and RNA therapies desired
• PMP certification, formal project management and leadership training a plus
• Experience in leading cross functional teams
• Knowledge of developing countries and emerging markets globally is highly desired
• Leadership in R&D operations and building efficient processes and tools to optimize project team effectiveness and portfolio decision making
• Demonstrated leadership of complex projects, both internally and in the setting of partnerships, with a demonstrated ability to bring multiple stakeholders together

Skills:

• Ability to translate abstract ideas to tangible project plans and milestones
• Present at senior levels and represent the Gates MRI at executive forums (e.g. The WHO, Gates Foundation, global conferences, collaboration with large pharma, etc.)
• Strong diplomacy, communication skills and interpersonal skills; ability to influence others in a matrixed organization
• High level of change agility and a track record of leading through ambiguity

In recognition of high-wage market differences such as the Cambridge, MA area where this position is located, the salary range for this role is $380, 000USD to $440,000USD.   As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission.  New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

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Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.