Vaccines
Where
extraordinary minds
help protect  half a billion people

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.

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