Japan Project Head (Vaccines)
Tokyo, Japan Permanent Posted on Aug. 27, 2025The Japan Project Head (JPH) would be responsible for overall Japan development strategy for vaccine project in alignment with Global project strategy as well as Sanofi R&D strategy and business objectives. The JPH is accountable for developing the integrated development strategy/development plan for their respective vaccine project in Japan and for its effective execution with the cross-functional Global Project Team (GPT) as well as Japan project team (R&D, Manufacturing & Supply, Franchise/commercial, and regulatory strategies along with all required enabling functions and processes) to successful licensure/launch. The project strategy is developed with input from resources external to Sanofi (e.g. KOLs, Market experts) as required per function and as appropriate according to project stage.
・In the respect of the Global new vaccine project and Franchise strategy, as he/she
- reports to Japan Portfolio Project Head in Japan Vaccine R&D
- is a Member of the Global Project Team to ensure understanding & alignment of the global vaccine development strategy and priorities.
- works in collaboration with all the Global Project Team members & global functions to develop the Japan project strategy and timelines.
- ensures integration of the Japan activities across all local Japan functions required to meet the Japan project objectives
・Sets up and leads the Japan Team to drive the execution of the Japan activities for licensure
・Leads the Japan team in assessing local project risks, developing risk management /mitigation plans, gaining consensus and support for implementing
・Financial acumen and visibility to project budget
・Ensures that Global team understands and integrates the Japan needs and specificities.
・Ensure effective communication and alliance management with third parties including partner companies, academic groups and joint ventures for vaccine R&Dactivities(if applicable)
・Maintain mechanisms to capture and share knowledge, leverage learning and implement improvements within the project team
The JPH ensures continuous improvement orientations and shapes the environment when possible taking into account country specificities, competitive environment, innovation and cutting edge technologies. The JPH also drives execution of New Vaccine Project via support from functional team members and associated sub-teams and acts as a leader/mentor/coach for the team.
The JPH is accountable for structuring the New Vaccine Project organization for vaccine development and lisensure in collaboration with Partner(s) if required. The JPH also decides on team composition in collaboration with functions and platforms and ensures the execution of the project in compliance with timelines & budget and, through team activities, delivers the data and information to make the best project decisions based on Company objectives. The JPH is expected to drive projects forward to each stage gate milestones according to aggressive but realistic timelines.
The JPH ensures objective setting of the New Vaccine project in partnership with the functions as necessary and defines, follows and participates to arbitrate project budget and head count in conjunction with respective functions and platforms. The JPH is also responsible for identifying project issues and their related resolution plans and alerting them to the revelant governance committee (s). The JPH also proposes recommendations from the JPT to GPT and then from GPT for decision based on calculated risks to the senior management governance committees as per decision rights defined in RACI.
The JPH develops effective working relationships with significant influencers (i.e. opinion leaders) at multiple levels (internally and externally) and ensures alignment and coordination with major stakholders across the company includuing external partners.
The JPH is an ambassador of the project and is the main New Vaccine project point of contact for Sanofi Vaccine R&D in Japan and in this role ensures the communication of the New Vaccine Project to relevant parties (internally and externally).
Knowledge And Skills:
Ideally, person who has vaccine business and R&D knowledge from former jobs.
Personality should be dynamic, able to lead but also influence projects teams without solid line reporting relationships. Capacity to work on and coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders including external partners if relevant. Ability to network and communicate across diverse functions and to work effectively in a matrix and complicated organization, and across companies in co-development projects
Person should be at ease interacting with local and global stakeholders in English and Japanese.
Formal Education And/Or Experience Required:
- Strong scientific & academic background with deep understanding of the entire vaccine value chain
- Overall 10 years of experience among which
- Over 5 years in vaccine field: Ideally, Ph.D. (in a science field), MD or Pharm D. with experience in Vaccine Development in R&D or in other disciplines such as industrial operations, regulatory, marketing, R&D, and project Management. B.S., M.S. degree or MBA should be beneficial as well as previous project management experience. Preference should be given to high potential individuals.
- Over 3 years in leadership (direct or transversal) role as leader of cross functional team in Japan in a multicultural & international (global) projects environment
- Strong understanding of managing budgets, resources, timelines, decisions for complex projects
- Demonstrate knowledge of Japan environment & regulations, ideally previously exposed to Japan heath Authorities
- Demonstrated ability to create and maintain efficient connection with global functions (R&D, RA, Manufacturing & supply, Clinical & Medical...) in HQ, when located in a country
- Experience & existing network in Sanofi ComOps, R&D , RA, Medical would be a plus
- The position requires strong leadership and Good communication skills
Knowledge And Skills Desirable But Not Essential:
Technical understanding of Vaccine/Pharmaceutical R&D, regulatory, commercial, or clinical development activities necessary for vaccine development in Japan is a plus.
Critical thinking – ability to challenge the status quo, anticipate risks and ability to propose solutions/mitigation plans, Transversal communication and networking demonstrated, effective international communication and collaboration, Knowledge of project management/planning and budget structure
Selling Point:
1.Vaccine is one of key areas that Sanofi considers as priority globally. Rich vaccine portfolio (including 2 projects as part of sanofi big 11) to work on.
2.Drives Cross-Functional Leadership to advance Vaccine Development in Japan making sure the strategic bridge between global and Japan ambition.
3.Exercise Strategic Ownership and Influence High-Level Decision-Making engaging multiple internal and external stakeholders
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