Vaccines
Where
extraordinary minds
help protect half a billion people
Clinical Operations Leader
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.
Job Title: Clinical Operations Leader
Location: Swiftwater, PA
About the Job
As Clinical Operations Leader within our R&D team, you'll take on a key clinical leadership role that drives the operational success of critical clinical projects from strategy to execution. Ready to get started?
The Clinical Operations Leader is a pivotal role within our clinical development organization, directing and managing clinical project operational activities to ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You'll work closely with our Global Clinical Development Strategy Expert and extended clinical teams, serving as the trusted liaison between various platforms within Global Clinical Development and key enabling functions including Global Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Finance, Medical, and Global Immunology.
This role involves collaborating with multiple levels of personnel across many teams, regions, and external stakeholders such as advisory boards and contract research organizations. You'll be accountable for optimizing and integrating team resources and competencies through effective program and project management leadership. Your expertise will be crucial in developing the best clinical operational strategies for project success, requiring deep understanding of strategic objectives, clinical operations, and strong interpersonal skills.
As Clinical Operations Leader, you'll ensure effective cross-functional communication at both project and clinical team levels while consolidating strategic communication across the project. You'll champion innovation in clinical trial designs and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, particularly in adopting digital methodologies and tools within the extended clinical team. Risk management and crisis coordination will be key aspects of your role, ensuring reliable performance and productivity of clinical projects through expert leadership and coordination of clinical activities and services.
Join the engine of Sanofi's mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you'll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.
Main Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate clinical project operational activities, ensuring deliverables are on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Develop and drive the planning of the Clinical Development Plan — including regulatory submissions — and ensure alignment across the extended clinical team and R&D project team.
Act as the key liaison between clinical platforms and enabling functions (Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Finance, Medical, Global Immunology) to resolve issues and maintain effective cross-functional communication.
Monitor project progress against strategic objectives and key performance indicators, proactively escalating risks and issues to clinical management.
Lead risk management and crisis coordination within the clinical project, facilitating issue resolution and implementing action plans.
Consolidate and manage the clinical project budget, working with Business Office, Functional Planners, and R&D Finance to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, championing digital methodologies, new clinical trial designs, and lessons-learned approaches within the project team.
About You
Experience: 8+ years of solid experience in the pharmaceutical industry with strong clinical operations and project management experience; proven track record of effectively leading multifunctional teams in a global environment.
Soft and technical skills: Exceptional project management, strategic leadership, and communication skills (verbal and written); strong business acumen; ability to drive high-performing cross-functional teams; proactive decision-making; innovative problem-solving; conflict resolution and negotiation skills; culturally aware and adaptable.
Education: Master's degree in Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences, or related scientific/medical discipline
Familiarity with project management software and digital tools.
Why Choose Us?
Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.
Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.
Accelerate your professional development with structured career paths designed for both scientific and leadership advancement.
Achieve genuine work-life balance in a supportive R&D environment, with outstanding benefits including flexible working options and comprehensive healthcare.
Take on a high-impact leadership role at the heart of clinical program strategy, with direct influence on projects that can exceed $100 million in annual budget.
Be based in Swiftwater, one of Sanofi's key R&D hubs in USA, and collaborate with world-class teams across multiple regions and functions.
Shape the future of clinical operations by championing innovation, digital methodologies, and entrepreneurial thinking within your project team.
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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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.
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
Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, expertise, location, and others. Employees may be eligible to participate in company employee benefit programs.
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.
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