Head of Global Research - Vaccines

Job title: Head of Global Research - Vaccines Research and Development

Location: Waltham, MA

Overview

The Head of Vaccines Research leads the scientific vision and strategy that transforms cutting-edge research into breakthrough vaccines, building a world-class research organization that leverages disease understanding, antigen design, immunology, AI/ML and platform science to deliver transformational vaccines and medicines.

In the context of the R&D evolution, our position is currently in Project Status, where the scope of this position may continue to evolve.

About the Job:

As a senior Leader in the Vaccines GBU and Sanofi:

• Contribute to defining, building and delivering the short, middle and long term vision for the Vaccines GBU and Sanofi

• Engage key external stakeholders and represent Sanofi, the GBU and Vaccines R&D in external forums

• Engage leaders across all departments and levels within Sanofi and represent Vaccines R&D in internal forums

As a senior Leader in Vaccines R&D, contribute to the Vaccines R&D leadership team (VRDLT) vision and dynamic:

• Contribute to defining, building and delivering the short, middle and long-term vision for Vaccines R&D

• Actively partner with your peers within the VRDLT, fostering cross-team collaboration and solving challenges within and outside VRDLT forums

• Bring healthy challenge, taking ownership for proposing and preparing topics  for discussion at VRDLT.

• Contribute to productive discussion at VRDLT, diverging in opinions when helpful, then converging and aligning on a position and sticking to it

• Share information in a regular manner, sharing both good news and bad news in a timely manner and asking for help in an agile mode, including during our agile weekly meetings

• Provide feedback to peers and supervisor

• Engage leaders in Sanofi Pharma R&D and identify value-creating opportunities for scientific collaboration and synergies

• Identify external opportunities (services, collaborations, in-licensing, acquisitions) to strengthen our position and accelerate the delivery of our ambition.

As a people Leader and manager in Vaccines R&D, deliver the activities and team engagement within your function:

• Take accountability for delivering the activities aligned with the defined project and pipeline priorities and the long term vision of the R&D and the vaccines GBU.

• Take accountability for sourcing the priority activities, making trade off when needed, asking for resource when critical path activities are not adequately resourced and releasing/loaning resources when possible.

• Define clear objectives for the team and assess team performance on both deliverables, behaviours and leadership traits

• Continue to raise talent density by developing your people, hiring exceptional new talents and ensuring we have the right people at the right place.

• Engage your overall team, increasing the engagement score of your direct report but also your overall organisation

• Keep transforming whenever needed and contribute to the simplification of the organisation within and outside your perimeter.

• Build robust interfaces with stakeholders and escalating  the challenges when this is not happening

• Take thoughtful risk in a transparent way

• Create the right healthy environment where people can strive based on clear objective and feedback, with  clear sense of urgency and confidence.

As Head of Vaccines Research Department:

• In close collaboration with the Head of Vaccines Research portfolio strategy, design an ambitious vision for vaccines Research and a clear strategy and plan to deliver on it

• Contribute to vaccine paipeline

• Promote a project-centric and value-creating environment where science benefits our projects and pipeline, avoiding the “science for science” mindset.

• Deliver excellence in antigen design and immunology, pioneering new technologies and applying state of the art science and technologies to deliver concrete value for projects at short-,  middle- and long-term.

• Deliver in an agile manner the scientific evidence that answer key scientific questions, discharging risks and advancing our vaccines and technology programs.

• Allocate  resource according to established priorities and escalate potential trade-offs to VRDLT/governance in case of conflicting priorities.

• Continue to promote the innovation in vaccines platforms, including but not limited to mRNA & Adjuvants.

• Support to Pharma R&D and external collaborators on our mRNA & adjuvant platforms.

• In close collaboration with head of CMC, ensure that CQAs,  manufacturability and analytical considerations are embedded into the design and selection of our vaccine candidates

• Ensure fit for purpose immunological assays, including  quality &compliance. Align with Late stage immunology for the assay to be transferred  and used in late stage development

• In close collaboration with the Head of QPS and Digital, build the data continuum across R&D. Promote and embed Digital, Automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning  in research activities.

• Promote Sanofi scientific leadership and innovation internally and externally 

Core Scientific & Technical  Requirements

Infectious disease science and platform mastery

• Deep expertise across multiple vaccine platforms (mRNA, viral vectors, protein subunit, conjugates, live-attenuated)

• Strategic vision for emerging technologies and next-generation vaccine approaches

• Ability to assess platform suitability for specific pathogens and target populations

• Some knowledge of the non vaccine emerging infectious diseases platforms: antivirals, antibiotics, siRNA, Mabs, Antibody-drug conjugates, …

Immunology & Mechanism of Action Excellence

• Comprehensive understanding of innate and adaptive immune responses

• Expertise in correlates of protection, immunological memory, and vaccine-induced immunity

• Capability to guide rational vaccine design based on immunological principles

Pathogen Biology & Disease Understanding

• Extensive knowledge of infectious disease mechanisms, pathogen evolution, and epidemiology

Regulatory Science Leadership

• Mastery of global regulatory pathways (FDA, EMA, WHO prequalification)

• Some knowledge in quality by design principles and CMC development strategies

Understanding of stage-adjusted quality and compliance requirements

Data Science & Digital Innovation

• Proficiency in leveraging AI/ML, bioinformatics, and computational biology

• Strategic vision for digital transformation in vaccine research and development

• Capability to integrate multi-omics data for vaccine optimization

Portfolio Management Excellence

• Expertise in research prioritization, resource allocation, and risk assessment

• Ability to balance breakthrough innovation with incremental improvements

• Strategic thinking for pipeline development and competitive positioning

External Collaboration Leadership

• Proven track record in academic partnerships, public-private collaborations, and consortiums

• Expertise in managing complex multi-stakeholder research initiatives

• Ability to leverage external innovation and scientific networks effectively

Scientific Communication & Influence

• Exceptional ability to communicate complex science to diverse audiences

• Proven publication record and recognition in the scientific community

• Capability to represent the organization at key scientific forums and regulatory interactions

About you

Education

• Advanced scientific degree required — PhD, MD/PhD, or MD in Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Biochemistry, or a closely related life science discipline

• Postdoctoral training in infectious disease, antigen design or immunology, ideally with exposure to translational or applied vaccine research is preferred

• MBA or executive leadership training is a plus, reflecting the strategic and organizational scope of the role

Scientific Experience

• 15 years of progressive experience in vaccine research, infectious disease, or immunology, spanning both discovery and translational stages is required

• Demonstrated track record of advancing vaccine or other drug candidates from discovery to drug development

• Hands-on expertise with at least two or more vaccine platforms (e.g., mRNA, protein subunit, viral vector, conjugate) is highly desired

• Familiarity with digital health tools, AI-driven drug discovery platforms, or computational immunology

Industry & Leadership Experience

• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary R&D teams across geographies and functions

• Prior experience as a member of an executive or senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy beyond functional boundaries

• Strong network in infectious disease, structural biology and immunology.

Strategic & Business Acumen

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage a research portfolio, balancing short-term deliverables with long-term innovation

• Experience in intellectual property, business development, licensing, or external partnership negotiations

• Proven capability to translate scientific strategy into operational plans with clear milestones and resource requirements

Personal Attributes & Leadership Qualities

• Visionary scientific thinker with the intellectual courage to challenge conventional approaches

• Collaborative and inclusive leader who builds trust across diverse teams and stakeholders

• Resilient and decisive under uncertainty, with a demonstrated ability to make sound judgments in complex, fast-moving environments

• Culturally agile, with experience working across international teams and global health ecosystems

• Passionate advocate for patients and public health, with a genuine commitment to improving lives through vaccine innovation

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

• Lead one of the industry's most ambitious external innovation agendas, shaping the future of Sanofi's global vaccine pipeline

• Build and influence a world-class ecosystem of academic, biotech, and global health partnerships at the forefront of pandemic preparedness

• Benefit from flexible hybrid work arrangements supporting work-life balance while being part of a multicultural, international team

• Access to executive development programs and international mobility opportunities within Sanofi's global R&D organization

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive 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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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.