Vice President, Head of External Innovation China, Strategy & Operations

Vice President, Head of External Innovation China, Strategy & Operations

Ipsen Cambridge, MA

The position is a critical leadership role and will (1) lead Ipsen's External Innovation strategy and execution in China plus surrounding territories across all Ipsen Therapeutic Areas, (2) partner with the equivalent VP in Global partnering to define overall GPEI strategy and deliver operational excellence in dealmaking and (3) ensure closer collaboration between research and External Innovation (REI) and Early Development for more efficient delivery of the early portfolio. The incumbent will spearhead efforts to develop the vision for Ipsen External Innovation (EI) in China across therapeutic areas and identify, evaluate and secure Rare Disease, Neuroscience and Oncology external opportunities at all stages from the region. The role will also collaborate with other Ipsen functions e.g. Regulatory, Therapeutic Area (TA) and Clinical Development Operations (CDO) to enhance Ipsen's overall R&D strategy and approach in China. The incumbent will be responsible for recruitment of Ipsen staff in China as direct report(s). The incumbent will be a member of the Global Partnering and External Innovation (GPEI) and Research and External Innovation (REI) Leadership teams and be responsible for collaborating across functions to define the overall Ipsen External innovation strategy across TAs and partner with the equivalent VP level role in GP to define the overall Global Partnering External Innovation (GPEI) strategy and deliver operational excellence. The deliverables will have 5 main areas of focus including (i) strategic collaboration across GPEI, REI and Early Development, (iii) ensure operational efficiency across GPEI e.g. reporting, dealmaking process, contract management, budget (iii) lead delivery of REI and GPEI initiatives and improvements, (iv) track cycle times, throughput, success/kill rates, progress and resourcing efficient across departments, (v) promote co-operation and common understanding of goals across functions. It is expected that these efforts will provide direct and visible benefit to Ipsen's pipeline both the near-, mid, and long-term. The successful candidate will have a critical role in ensuring that Ipsen is considered a partner of choice for external innovation and defining the approach in China and related territories. The candidate will be required to master multiple areas of responsibility with flexibility to changes in the business environment while assisting staff and customers with issues and challenges impeding their desired successful outcome.

Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

• Lead IPSEN's external innovation strategy and execution in China and related territories to deliver efficient sourcing across therapeutic areas to contribute to Ipsen's pipeline growth across stages (preclinical to marketed)
• Expected line management of direct report(s) including in China
• Cultivate and maintain networks / relationships globally with a focus on China and related territories with Biotechs, VCs, and Academic communities to identify opportunities of interest early and position IPSEN as a partner of choice.
• Collaborate with other functions within Ipsen to contribute to overall operational execution and approach in China.
• Collaborate with the EI TA Heads to refine the overall Ipsen External innovation strategy related to dealmaking across TAs and partner with the equivalent role in GP to define the overall GPEI strategy and deliver operational excellence.
• Collaborate with Early Development (ED) strategy and operations to ensure strong relationships and delivery of both the REI and ED departments.
• Establish and maintain External Innovation capabilities to identify asset opportunities early and to maximize the company's opportunity to successfully identify and close partnership opportunities:
• Develop / maintain tools and processes required for opportunity identification / sourcing, evaluation, and internal / external communication.
• Provide expert insight for deal making and collaboration partnerships and specifically contribute as part of the Due Diligence Team, Deal Review Board and Portfolio committee as appropriate.
• Expand Ipsen visibility and Partner of Choice status globally with a focus on Chona and surrounding territories as well as connect Ipsen's global hubs with local/regional biopharma ecosystems.
• Maintain and enhance close working relationships between Research and External Innovation with other Ipsen functions – ensure clear and frequent communication as well as fully aligned strategic and operational plans.

Leadership / Management

• The candidate is an effective leader and matrix/line manager. Responsible for talent development, provides line management and supervision of team members in his/her group. The individual is responsible for building capabilities and technical skills within his/her group to ensure effective high-quality delivery.

The candidate supports and influences the direction of the R&D and GPEI groups. The individual collaborates with team members to drive strategic team decision-making and deliver on commitments to the organization and to patients

Knowledge & Experience

• Exceptional scientific credentials and external profile – evidenced by: publications, delivery of early-stage innovative project milestones, successful grant funding, other scientific accomplishments (biotech or pharma portfolio accomplishments). Examples delivered through external collaborations and deals and/or multi-partner constructs will be highly valued.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pharmaceutical Discovery, Development and Intellectual Property Processes.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information and analyses to a variety of scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Interpersonal & leadership skills and ability to represent IPSEN in a highly professional manner
• Ability to cultivate and develop long term productive relationships with potential external partners
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multitask efficiently and prioritize quickly, particularly in running a portfolio of projects
• Experience working in a matrix environment as well as leading and leveraging the matrix
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in highly integrated cross functional teams
• Confidence and scientific credibility to lead interactions with senior leaders of biotech companies, leading academic research centers, VCs, and other external parties.
• Proven ability to lead technical due diligence efforts / teams.
• Maintain and expand network of biopharma leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, academic scientists
• Proven strategic thinking related to product development and pipelines.
• Ability to anticipate the evolution of the marketplace and the competition to maintain advantage as it pertains to business model creation, innovation acquisition and collaborations.

Education / Certifications (essential)

• Ph.D. or M.D., in life sciences

English The annual base salary range for this position is $262,500-$350,000 This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentives program. At Ipsen we are proud to offer a comprehensive employee benefits package, including 401(k) with company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts. Ipsen also provides parental leave, paid time off, a discretionary winter shutdown, well-being allowance, commuter benefits, and much more. The pay range displayed above is the range of base pay compensation within which Ipsen expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Individual compensation within this range depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, prior education and experience, job-related knowledge and demonstrated skills.