Vincent Dufauret, Global Digital Communication Project Lead.

Embracing the Unexpected: Building a Versatile Career at Sanofi

From pharmacy graduate to Olympic project manager to digital innovation lead – Vincent Dufauret, currently Global Digital Communication Project Lead, reflects on his diverse career journey at Sanofi. He shares the insights he wishes he'd understood from the beginning.

When I joined Sanofi as an apprentice in 2016, fresh from pharmacy school with a master's degree in management, I never imagined the diverse journey ahead. My career path has zigged and zagged from marketing to public affairs, from global project management to digital innovation – all within the same company. Looking back at my younger self, I'm amazed at the range of opportunities I discovered along the way

Don't limit yourself to the career path you initially envisioned

Like many young professionals with a healthcare background, I initially thought my career would follow a predictable trajectory. With a family of healthcare professionals – my father a doctor, and other relatives pharmacists – I naturally gravitated toward roles in the pharmaceutical industry. 

I wish I'd known then how limiting this single-track thinking can be. My most significant growth has come from embracing unexpected opportunities that stretched me beyond my comfort zone. From managing partnerships with 50 pharmaceutical companies at another organization to leading public affairs in Brussels, each new role has added a different dimension to my professional toolkit. 

When I returned to Sanofi after two years at another company, I took on the challenge of coordinating a global project involving 2,024 volunteers from over 70 countries for Paris 2024. Nothing in my original career plan included managing such large-scale international initiatives – yet these experiences have been invaluable in shaping who I am professionally. 

Embrace opportunities to apply your education in real-world settings 

The apprenticeship gave me my first professional experience in marketing, specifically working with consumer healthcare products for overseas territories. This initial role provided me with practical experience I couldn't get in the classroom.  

Though I didn't know it at the time, this foundation in marketing would later complement my experiences in public affairs, project management, and digital innovation – creating a versatile skillset that has served me well throughout my career.  

Looking back, I see how this early experience at Sanofi planted seeds for my future growth, even if I couldn't envision where the path would lead. The professional relationships and industry knowledge I developed during this time created a foundation that supported my later career decisions and opportunities. 

 Seek international experience early in your career  

I always knew I wanted to work abroad, but I underestimated how transformative this experience would be. I joined the VIE (Volontariat International en Entreprise) program – a French government initiative that enables young professionals to gain valuable experience working abroad. Today, Sanofi offers similar international opportunities through its iMove program, which often incorporates VIE placements.  

What started as a potential position in Sydney, then shifted to Boston, and ultimately became a two-year assignment in Brussels due to COVID-19 disruptions. Initially disappointed by these changes, I soon discovered that Brussels offered precisely the international exposure and professional growth I needed.  

Working in another country forces you to become more adaptable and open-minded. You learn to navigate different work cultures, build relationships across language barriers, and develop a broader perspective on global healthcare challenges. Living abroad also accelerates your personal development – you become more independent, resilient, and comfortable with uncertainty.  

If you're early in your career, I strongly encourage exploring international programs like VIE through Sanofi's iMove initiative. These opportunities are more accessible than trying to secure permanent positions abroad when you're just starting out. They provide structured support while you gain global experience, opening doors to new career possibilities you might never have imagined. 

Seek versatility over specialization early in your career 

One of my greatest assets today is the versatility I've developed through diverse roles. In less than a decade, I've worked across five different functions, each requiring distinct skillsets and mindsets. 

The early stages of your career are the perfect time to build this breadth of experience. As you progress, specialization becomes more common, but the foundation of varied experiences gives you advantages that narrowly-focused colleagues might lack – particularly the ability to connect across silos and understand multiple dimensions of business challenges. 

Today, as I lead AI and digital initiatives, including our presence at VivaTech, Europe’s largest technology and startup event, and the communication and engagement plan of AI-powered decision support platforms, I draw on all my previous experiences – from marketing to public affairs to large-scale project management. 

Success requires hard work, but culture makes it sustainable 

I won't sugar-coat this: building a dynamic career requires dedication and effort. The opportunities I've had didn't simply fall into my lap – they came because I consistently pushed beyond expectations and demonstrated willingness to tackle complex challenges. 

I wish I'd understood earlier that while hard work is necessary, the environment in which you work matters tremendously for sustaining that effort. Sanofi's culture has provided both the opportunities and the support system that make intensive work sustainable. 

Working with inspiring colleagues and supportive managers in an environment that encourages calculated risk-taking has been crucial to maintaining energy and enthusiasm across diverse projects. This supportive culture has given me the confidence to step into roles where I needed to grow into the position. 

Stay open to the unexpected

Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned is the value of remaining open to unexpected opportunities. If I'd clung rigidly to my initial career plans, I would have missed the most rewarding experiences of my professional life. 

When the chance came to lead the Paris 2024 volunteer program– something completely outside my planned trajectory – saying "yes" opened doors I couldn't have imagined. This led to additional responsibilities, including leading our internal Sanofi Cup that engaged 25,000 colleagues worldwide and culminated in a 10,000-person celebration at a Paris stadium. 

Now, as I focus on digital innovation and AI implementation across our value chain, I'm again in territory I couldn't have anticipated when I started my pharmacy studies. Yet each previous role has contributed something valuable to my current position. 

Looking ahead 

I don't pretend to have all the answers about career development today, in my early 30s. I'm still learning and growing every day. What I do know is that remaining curious, embracing challenges, and being willing to step outside your comfort zone creates a foundation for a fulfilling and dynamic career. 

Whether you're considering joining Sanofi or are already part of our team, remember that a large organization offers countless paths if you're willing to explore them. Fine-tune your interests by experiencing different functions, build relationships across departments, and remain open to opportunities that might initially seem tangential to your planned path. 

Your career journey may surprise you – and those unexpected turns might lead to your most rewarding professional experiences.