Vaccines
Where
extraordinary minds
help protect half a billion people
Head of MSAT Viral & bacterial platform and Vaccines Business Partner
Lyon, France
Who we are
Every day, 2.5 million Sanofi vaccine doses reach patients worldwide - powered by bold ideas, cutting-edge science, and passionate people like you. Across every stage — from discovery to delivery — Sanofians are shaping the future of vaccines. In global R&D hubs, exceptional offices, and state-of-the-art manufacturing sites, we’re reimagining what’s possible. But science alone isn’t enough — it’s the extraordinary minds behind it that truly make the difference.
About Our Team
Sanofi Global MSAT (Manufacturing Sciences, Analytics, and Technology) bridges our R&D and Manufacturing operations, ensuring both current portfolio supply sustainability and future launches of innovative vaccines and therapeutics. We drive manufacturing excellence through technical support, lifecycle management, and process optimization—all focused on delivering high-quality products to patients worldwide.
Join our dynamic global network where you'll help launch 3-5 new products annually across diverse modalities, expanding our reach to patients and communities globally. You'll collaborate with world-class scientists and leaders dedicated to pioneering innovative industrial processes and analytical methods that support Sanofi's best-in-class ambition.
Position Overview
As Global Head of MSAT Viral & bacterial platform and Vaccines Business Partner, you will lead approximately 380 professionals across 6 countries focused on biopharma viral processes across Sanofi's Manufacturing & Supply Global Business Units. This influential role oversees industrial development using mRNA, viral and bacterial strains and cell based recombinant proteins, manufacturing support, Phase 3 clinical material production, CMC strategy development, and new product introductions.
Your leadership will directly impact Sanofi's financial performance, influencing a vaccines business generating >€10 billion in annual sales, including our critical Flu portfolio. Additionally, you will serve as the Industrial Development Business Partner for the Vaccines GBU, representing MSAT in executive leadership teams and scientific boards.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Shape and implement drug substance technology strategies that drive profitability, growth, and successful launches across Sanofi's vaccine portfolio
Provide scientific and technological direction across vaccine modalities (cell culture, egg-based platforms, and microbial/pathogen systems, mRNA)
Represent MSAT on the Vaccines Leadership Team while being the voice of Vaccines within the MSAT function
Organizational Excellence
Lead organizational transformation that empowers teams to deliver exceptional business value
Foster a performance-driven culture that leverages cutting-edge science and technology
Develop talent and drive mindset shifts that enhance team capabilities and outcomes
Technical & Scientific Leadership
Take full accountability for process internalization, development and scale up, process validation, and control strategies for new products entering Manufacturing & Supply from R&D
Ensure scientific leadership for commercial products (internal and CMOs) to prevent process-related deviations
Lead integrated teams of biotechnologists, virologists, bacteriologists, and process engineers to develop innovative, competitive, and sustainable manufacturing processes
Secure intellectual property through strategic patent filings
Lead MSAT internal pilot plant capabilities and GMP batch production
Drive and integrate the strategic direction ofEnvironmental Sustainability by Designinitiatives with the organization, fostering a culture of environmental sustainability and innovation in pharmaceutical development.
Innovation & Partnerships
Cultivate strategic partnerships with academic laboratories and biotechnology partners
Advance cutting-edge technologies including automation, high-throughput experimentation, self healing and continuous processing
Business Management
Manage substantial resources including €120M in OPEX and project costs, plus approximately €20M yearly CAPEX
What Makes This Role Unique
This position offers the rare opportunity to lead scientific innovation while directly impacting business outcomes for a major global healthcare leader. You'll balance strategic vision with operational excellence, guiding diverse teams across multiple countries while collaborating with senior leadership to shape the future of vaccine manufacturing.
About you
We're looking for an accomplished leader who combines deep scientific expertise with exceptional people leadership and strategic business acumen. You bring both technical excellence and the ability to inspire and develop diverse, global teams.
Experience & Background
Broad and long term experience in the vaccines, biologics, or pharmaceutical industry
Proven track record across R&D, industrial development, and operations, with strong understanding of GMP requirements and global CMC projects
Experience leading in matrix organizations with cross-functional, multi-site teams
Global exposure with demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments
Leadership & People Skills
Inspirational Leader: You build trust through empathy and authenticity, empowering teams and creating strong networks across the organization
Talent Developer: You engage and leverage everyone's strengths, set ambitious goals, and align priorities while fostering a high-performance culture
Exceptional Communicator: You excel at stakeholder management, influencing without direct authority, and building partnerships across functions (R&D, Finance, Regulatory)
Change Agent: You're comfortable with ambiguity, execute with agility, and adapt quickly while maintaining focus on what matters most
Strategic & Business Acumen
Strategic Thinker: You analyze current and future scenarios, challenge the status quo with innovation and digital, while remaining pragmatic and priority-focused
Results-Driven: You have a proven ability to drive initiatives from concept to successful execution
Patient-Centric: You ensure teams understand how their work impacts patients and customers, maintaining unwavering commitment to product quality
Business Orientation: You understand financials, build compelling business cases, and make sound decisions that balance scientific excellence with business realities
Technical Expertise
Scientific Foundation: Deep knowledge of biological processes including CMC development, mRNA, recombinant proteins, virology and bacteriology processes (Flu process experience valued), small scale and scale-up, technology transfer, and operations
Change Management: Extensive experience leading organizational transformation and driving transversal collaboration
Project Leadership: Proven success leading strategic CMC/development projects in complex, global environments
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making skills with ability to resolve complex technical and operational issues
Education
PhD or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Immunology, or related field
Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.
Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com
Find out more about this location
Why work with us
- We’re problem-solvers and pioneers. United by the belief that everyone deserves a healthier future. We create best-in-class vaccines that prevent disease and protect lives.
- Innovation drives us. From AI and mRNA to next-gen science, we push the boundaries to deliver first- and best-in-class vaccines for infectious diseases worldwide.
- Growth happens here. With bold investments in R&D and world-class facilities, Sanofians across the entire vaccine lifecycle are shaping the future of global health.
- We do what’s right. Sustainability and DE&I drive our positive global impact—because the diverse communities Sanofians represent are the patients we serve.
What does it take to protect the world from disease?
For over a century, we’ve been pioneering breakthroughs that help protect millions from diseases like polio, influenza, RSV, and more. And we’re not stopping there.
Powered by groundbreaking technologies - mRNA platforms, recombinant proteins, and AI-driven insights - we’re pushing the boundaries of science.
"I’m immensely proud of the pace of our innovation – the urgency by which our teams are working to transform the practice of medicine."
Thomas Triomphe
Executive Vice President, Vaccines
Discover more
Sanofi’s mRNA Center of Excellence
Step into the future of healthcare with Sanofi’s mRNA Center of Excellence. Discover how a global team is transforming medicine with cutting-edge mRNA technology – and explore the skills, inspirations, and breakthroughs driving this revolution. Ready to shape the future?
About Sanofi Vaccines
Explore our commitment to protecting global health through the power of vaccines. We’re building healthier communities with innovative solutions that save millions of lives each year. Dive into the future of vaccines, discover the diseases we’re tackling, and learn why vaccination is critical at every stage of life.
Join our
talent community
What could we achieve together? Every Sanofian works on projects that truly make a difference to people’s lives.
Sign up today and discover our latest opportunities as soon as they’re available.