Senior Director, Head of Research & Early Development

About the RoleWe are excited to announce a new opportunity for a Senior Director, Head of Research and Early Development Project Management. This executive-level position is crucial for establishing scalable, world-class project management capabilities across our expanding discovery and early pipeline.
Reporting directly to the Vice President, Head of Pipeline and Project Management, you will:
Drive Process Optimization: Oversee the drug development lifecycle from Candidate Drug Nomination through First-in-Human (FIH) clinical trials.
Ensure Robust Project Execution: Collaborate across Oncology, Neuroscience, and emerging Rare Disease indications.
Cultivate High-Performing Teams: Mentor project managers to act as operational leaders of their respective drug programs.
Optimize Development Cycle Times: Work closely with Chief Scientific Officers and other stakeholders to accelerate pipeline progression.

Key Responsibilities Process Optimization & Life Cycle Progression: Champion continuous improvement from Discovery to FIH.
Establish benchmarks and remove operational bottlenecks.
Design scalable R&D processes for our growing pipeline.

Portfolio Oversight & Risk Management: Maintain visibility over risk profiles and strategic opportunities.
Partner with Governance for consistent project tracking.
Establish accountability frameworks for project timelines and budgets.

High-Performing Teams: Embed the Orchestra Team Operating Model across project teams.
Foster collaboration and break down silos.
Align strategic pillars with day-to-day operations.

Executive Collaboration: Engage with C-suite and CSOs as a strategic partner.
Facilitate prioritization reviews for R&D goals.
Ensure seamless transitions with Late Development Project Leads.

People Leadership: Manage and inspire a global team of project managers.
Champion career progression and capability development.
Strategically allocate resources across programs.

Financial Stewardship: Partner with R&D Finance for budget formulation and governance.
Champion the use of enterprise planning tools for data quality.

What You Bring Experience: Extensive background in the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly in early drug development.
Leadership: Proven track record in managing and developing senior project managers.
Executive Presence: Ability to influence and align with executive-level stakeholders.
Technical Mastery: Proficiency in PPM enterprise tools like Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Join Our Mission at Jazz Pharmaceuticals!If you're a current Jazz employee, we invite you to apply through our Internal Career site.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients and their families. Our mission is to develop life-changing medicines for individuals facing serious diseases, often with limited or no therapeutic options. With a diverse portfolio that includes leading therapies for sleep disorders, epilepsy, and a growing range of cancer treatments, we are committed to pioneering research and development in oncology and neuroscience.
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, we have research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and a dedicated team across multiple countries, all focused on serving patients worldwide.

Why Join Us?At Jazz Pharmaceuticals, we believe in fair and equitable compensation practices. For this role, the base pay range is $228,000.00 - $342,000.00, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to competitive base pay, you may also be eligible for:
Discretionary annual cash bonuses
Equity grants
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance
401k retirement savings plan
Flexible paid vacation

Join us in our mission to innovate and transform lives. Together, we can make a difference!
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.