VP Early V&I

Role Scope and Responsibilities:

• Create and deliver a vision and strategy for Early V&I which ensures leading-edge science is driving the V&I TA strategy and portfolio
• Deliver an early portfolio that yields sufficient successful clinical trial outcomes (POM/ POP/ POC), consistent with the TA Strategy and business plan; demonstrate therapeutic relevance with high probability of successful market access and delivery of valuable new medicines. Provide clear strategic direction to achieve this purpose
• Prepare and deliver against agreed Business Plan. Ensure it is updated and adjusted appropriately, responding with agility to significant changes in the external and competitive environment.
• Co-chair the Therapy Area Leadership Team (TALT). Chair Early V&I Research Board. Member of ESPC V&I, LSPC V&I, V&I SLT.
• Ensure resources are available and deployed efficiently, capabilities are employed effectively, assets are used optimally and standards/systems are managed and applied appropriately to deliver a sustainable portfolio.
• Maximise opportunity of the acquired Icosavax early portfolio, building scalable capabilities that generate value from the acquired technology
• Responsible for AZ’s exclusive collaboration agreement with Omniose, expanding opportunities for the bioconjugation platform in bacterial vaccines.
• Collaborate strongly with senior leadership colleagues, exploiting cross-function and cross- therapy area opportunities and embed best practice.
• Represent V&I to external stakeholders (e.g. investors)
• Ensure the scientific reputation of V&I is developed and enhanced to attract and retain key talent, KEEs, collaborators, partners etc., through internal/external publications and presentations, interactions with collaborators etc. (science & innovation, development of talent)
• Ensure access to the best external science (e.g., universities, biotech companies, government programs) (science & innovation, collaboration & partnerships)
• Recruit, retain and develop people to build a world-class organisation.
• Provide high quality feedback and coaching to Early V&I leadership team and mentor key talent in the organisation
• Create a vibrant, entrepreneurial and externally facing organization focused on the delivery of successful POCs that supports courageous leadership, innovation and collaboration. Ensure that Early V&I is open to challenge, new ideas, innovative ways of working, and continuous learning and improvement.
• Active participation for V&I search and evaluation efforts, seeking external innovation opportunities across academia, biotech and peer pharma aligned with TA strategy. Build relationships with partners including government to secure external funding and delivery opportunities. Appropriately balance internal vs. external opportunities to ensure steady flow of successful project transitions.

Experience Required:

• Demonstrated Scientific Leadership within the therapeutic area. World-class scientific credibility as evidenced by citations, publications and membership of renowned institutes/learned societies and boards. Strong understanding of future trends in scientific area of expertise and drug discovery
• From a combination of environments (likely academic experience combined with pharmaceutical company/biotech involvement) demonstrated expertise in drug discovery and strong exposure to drug development (early stage)
• Has engaged in leading-edge research with a strong understanding of how to transition a molecule from lab to clinic
• Experience in building high performing organisations and teams in a curious and agile environment.  Evidence of leading cross functional and global teams
• History of managing incremental and/or large change and building an organisation’s capability as well as possessing an astute, broad ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully across multiple stakeholder groups
• Established external networks and effective relationships with external stakeholders, such as external scientific experts, medical and scientific organizations, governmental bodies and officials, and patient organizations within the therapeutic area
• Track record of delivering overall results with quality and cost across the therapeutic area by driving strategic, financial and people performance
• Proven ability to get things done and deliver in a complex environment.

Skills Capabilities and Values:

• Strong leadership, adept in building a shared vision, set direction, shape culture and inspire commitment & followership
• Self-aware, able to engage stakeholders with varied needs to achieve common set of goals and be able to express complex ideas and strategies in clear and compelling ways
• Excellent ability to build trust and be credible with stakeholders internally and externally
• Demonstrate high level of integrity in dealing with others and in decision making
• High level of ethics and driven by what is in the best interest of patients
• Results-driven, innovative with rapid decision making ability, balancing risk/reward in adapting to rapidly changing environment
• Global and enterprise mind-set, able to lead and engage across multiple, complex organisations and geographies
• Organisational knowledge, understanding the nature of all the functional areas and how the functions relate to each other, from early science to operation and to commercial regions