Head of MSAT Viral & bacterial platform and Vaccines Business Partner

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