Head of Platform Partnerships and Outlicensing - Vaccine

Job title: Head of Platform Partnerships and Outlicensing - Vaccine

Location: Waltham, MA / Swiftwater, PA / / Washington DC/ Morristown, NJ

About the job

As Head of Platform Partnerships and Outlicensing - Vaccine as part of the Vaccines R&D team, you’ll be responsible for providing responsible for overarching R&D coordination and management of external evaluations, collaborations, MTAs, partnerships and out-licensing opportunities relating to the Sanofi Vaccines Adjuvant platforms and mRNA platforms. Ready to get started?

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization. 

The Head of Platform Partnerships and Out-licensing is responsible for overarching R&D coordination and management of external evaluations, collaborations, MTAs, partnerships and out-licensing opportunities relating to the Sanofi Vaccines Adjuvant platforms and mRNA platforms. 

The incumbent serves as a first point of contact within R&D for all external-facing activities specific to the platform technologies within scope.  The role includes reactive management of incoming requests for platforms evaluations and supply agreements as well as proactive scouting of strategic opportunities for partnerships, alliances or out-licensing. 

The incumbent works closely alongside relevant Global Platform Leads, Sanofi project teams, with External R&D and with Business Development and Legal.

The role's purpose is to ensure value creation from Sanofi Vaccine platform technologies through scientific data and knowledge generation that in turn informs and de-risks internal projects, may lead to in-licensing opportunities for new programs and financial value creation through platform supply and out-licensing agreements in key strategic areas.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. 

Main Responsibilities:

A. External collaborations coordination and oversight

• Be the first point of contact within R&D for all incoming requests for evaluations, collaborations and supply agreements relating to the Adjuvant and mRNA platforms.  Evaluate and prioritize such requests based on scientific and strategic value to Sanofi.

• Partner with relevant Global Platform Lead and New Vaccines project teams to provide scientific Input and when relevant to create workplans.

• Partner with External R&D and Business Development as needed to ensure appropriate governance and Legal framework is applied to external collaborations and partnerships

• Ensure external relationships are documented, tracked and followed up in a timely and structured manner, ensuring internal compliance and coordination and external relationship and reputation management   

B. Proactive scouting, identification and management of external platform out-licensing and supply opportunities

• Identify and lead opportunities for financial value creation through key strategic external opportunities to out-license Sanofi's Adjuvants or mRNA technologies. 

• Lead cross-functional teams to evaluate such opportunities and be the R&D Lead on resulting due diligence exercises.

• Act in an Alliance Manager role within the R&D function to help oversee and manage ongoing external strategic partnerships.

• Work alongside BD, Legal and IP as R&D Lead to ensure appropriate governance and compliance with Sanofi processes throughout.

• Ensure documentation, tracking and reporting in a timely and structured manner to drive internal alignment, transparency and compliance.

About You

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent.

• Advanced degree MBA is preferred.

• 10+ years leadership experience in pharmaceutical environment including exposure to R&D, Business Development, Finance, Legal and Intellectual Property.

Knowledge /Experience /Technical competencies:

• Proven leadership experience in complex, matrixed environments

• Business acumen & Financial Management Excellence in high value creation, high‑uncertainty, high‑investment pharmaceutical context

• Strategic partnership creation and management.  

• Strong knowledge and experience of the end-to-end vaccine/pharma development value chain.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strategic & Tactical thinking – Ability to translate strategy into actionable partnerships.

• People Leadership – Mobilizes global teams, drives alignment, and inspires action.

• Influence & Stakeholder Management – Skilled in communicating across operational, and executive levels

• Communication skills – Excellent communication to drive clarity and optimal alignment both internally and externally

• Decision-making & prioritization – Acts with clarity and focus under pressure.

• Conflict resolution – Navigates tensions constructively to reach shared outcomes.

• Continuous learning – Embraces growth, curiosity, and adaptability

• Collaboration – Builds trust and works seamlessly across teams and functions.

• Action-oriented – Solves problems pragmatically and drives execution

• Cross-Function agility – Operates effectively in worldwide multicultural matrix environments.

• Adaptability – Adjusts style and approach to fit shifting contexts and needs.

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 US Services 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.