Head of Early-Stage Immunology Laboratory - Vaccines

Job Title: Head of Early-Stage Immunology Laboratory - Vaccines

Location: Waltham, MA

About the Job

The Head of Early-Stage Immunology Laboratory reports directly to the Global Head of Early-Stage Immunology (ESI), Global Immunology (GI), Sanofi Vaccines R&D. This role provides overall strategic leadership and direction for the implementation, deployment and execution of immune monitoring methods used to assess specific immune responses to novel and early-stage vaccine candidates.

The Head of ESI Laboratory is accountable for ESI portfolio of immunological analyses and laboratory teams, directly supervising Laboratory Managers and Subject Matter Experts across the ESI laboratory network in three sites: Marcy L'Etoile (France), Waltham and Orlando (US).

Leading the ESI portfolio of immunological analyses and the laboratory strategy across multiple sites presents ongoing challenges. The Head of ESI Laboratory is pivotal, either leading and significantly contributing to strategic initiatives that support the goals of GI and Vaccines R&D, while also challenging the status quo.

This role requires strong immunological expertise and knowledge of the New Vaccines portfolio strategy, as well as the required relevant and cutting-edge technologies, all aligned with the ESI and overall GI vision. In addition, a coordinated understanding of the Vaccines R&D organization is essential to effectively advance projects through R&D. Strong leadership is crucial to ensure cross-functional collaboration among GI, Vaccines R&D, and Pharma.

Furthermore, the Head of ESI Laboratory is responsible for talent development across the US and France, working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and skill sets to achieve scientific and operational excellence.

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.

Main Responsibilities:

Overall leadership and accountability for ESI portfolio of immunological analyses and laboratory strategy

• Develop the overall ESI laboratory roadmap in collaboration with the Global Head of ESI and the Global Head of Immunology, Sanofi Vaccines R&D
• Accountable for strategic and operational aspects of a wide range of immunological analyses (functional, serological, cellular, molecular) for the assessment of novel early-stage vaccine candidates and the evaluation of potential candidates
• Accountable for the implementation, deployment and execution of ESI laboratory strategy across the global laboratory network
• Accountable for the standardization of analyses across the ESI laboratory network, ensuring quality and reproducibility
• Define the laboratory strategy with ESI Subject Matter Experts, including state-of-the-art innovative technologies and methodologies, processes and digitalization (including automation and Artificial Intelligence)
• Make critical and strategic investments to maintain Sanofi's competitive advantage in investing in analytical technologies
• Define budgets (including OPEX, CAPEX, FTEs) allocated to each site
• Develop the laboratory outsourcing strategy ("Make or Buy"), focusing on identifying internal core competencies, potential academic or CROs/partners, and define selection criteria
• Liaise, interface and harmonize with key early-stage stakeholders, e.g., Global Antigen Design and mRNA Center of Excellence
• Liaise with Head of Late-stage Clinical Testing to ensure smooth transition of analyses for phased clinical trial analyses
• Guarantee the optimization and achievement of Key Project Indicators (KPIs) and overall alignment with ESI and GI strategies, providing regular reports to the Global Head of ESI
• Accountable for organization and timely delivery of critical immune assays to formulate the vaccine image, test and establish modes of action
• Provide data for the Investigational New Drug (IND) and Common Technical Document (CTD) applications
• Guarantee the quality of documentation and conduct L0 regulatory dossier review

Overall leadership and accountability for ESI laboratory teams across sites

• Accountable for ESI laboratory teams' management across Marcy L'Etoile, Waltham and Orlando
• Accountable for allocating resources across sites and projects based on portfolio expertise
• Monitor project hours and capacity load via R&D Project Management software with support from the Function Management Office and ESI Laboratory Managers
• Set and monitor individual objectives, conduct annual performance appraisal, annual career development assessment with recommendations for technical and professional training, and periodic update sessions
• Master and regularly update the skills matrix in alignment with ESI and GI strategies
• Identify internal core competencies and potential skill gaps
• Define recruitment and development needs and coordinate with ESI Laboratory Managers to implement related action plans
• Build a culture that promotes Sanofi R&D vision through a positive work environment focused on execution, efficiency, delivery, innovation and scientific rigor
• Disseminate laboratory best practices and ensure consistent methodologies across sites
• Provide high-level quality control of results interpretation performed by ESI Immunology project teams and Subject Matter Experts
• Ensure ESI Laboratory Managers strictly adhere to HSES, corporate, quality and regulatory standards, and participate in audits
• Facilitate effective communication, understanding and implementation of upper management decisions across sites by appropriately cascading information

Coordinate ESI scientific communication

• Shape and articulate the strategic message ESI and GI aim to convey to the global external R&D ecosystem with the Global Head of ESI
• Oversee and coordinate the contributions of ESI Immunology Leads, Subject Matter Experts and Principal Scientists, ensuring their publications and participations in scientific conferences and forums align with ESI and GI strategies
• Shape and articulate the strategic message ESI and GI aim to convey to the global external R&D ecosystem with the Global Head of ESI
• Oversee and coordinate the contributions of ESI Immunology Leads, Subject Matter Experts and Principal Scientists, ensuring their publications and participations in scientific conferences and forums align with ESI and GI strategies

About You

If you are excited about leading an international team and collectively achieving laboratory excellence in Immunology and Vaccines R&D, this position is perfect for you!

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology, Microbiology or related Life Sciences
• 10+ years of laboratory experience in Immunology and Vaccines R&D, including team management, laboratory excellence and HSES-related responsibilities
• State-of-the-art techniques in Immunology
• Leadership, technology innovation, influence and challenge, decision-making, stretch, negotiation, customer focus, deliverable-oriented and quality mindset
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in French is a plus.

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it's through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks' gender-neutral parental leave.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Pursue progress, discover extraordinary

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn't happen without people - people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let's be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; natural or protective hairstyles; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.