Senior Director, Gene Therapy Accelerator Unit

GENE THERAPY ACCELERATOR UNIT – SENIOR DIRECTOR

JOB SUMMARY
Biogen R&D is looking for an innovative, scientific thought leader with deep modality expertise to head a new Gene Therapy Accelerator Unit (GTxAU) within Biotherapeutics and Medicinal Sciences (BTMS). The leader will be responsible for building a GTxAU that delivers a portfolio of clinical candidates for our core and emerging therapeutic areas in Neuroscience. The leader will drive innovation and new directions to build a core gene therapy platform via internal efforts and/or via external collaborations with the academic or industrial sectors. The leader of GTxAU will:

• Define and execute on the vision and strategy for gene therapy that results in the sustained delivery of high quality therapeutic candidates in partnership with Biogen’s Research Units.
• Provide scientific leadership in gene therapy technologies such as generation of transgenes, transduction efficiency, vector engineering, and/or capsid design and packaging.
• Partner with Research & Early Development, Pharmaceutical Operations and Technology, and other groups within BTMS (Biologics Drug Discovery, DMPK, and Preclinical Safety) to build and deliver a portfolio of gene therapy candidates.
• Build a wide network of relevant relationships in academia and industry to advance new directions and designs in gene therapy approaches by working together with Biogen’s Corporate Development and the External Portfolio Innovation Unit.
• Maintain a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment that fosters diverse views and ideas which leads to growing, developing, and retaining talent.
• Manage resources including the effective allocation of budget, and internal and external FTEs across projects in the portfolio.

The Senior Director of GTxAU will be a member of the Biotherapeutics and Medicinal Sciences (BTMS) Leadership Team. Portfolio scope will cover delivery of gene therapy candidates, where applicable, for Biogen’s core (multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease) and emerging (ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, acute neurology, and pain) disease areas.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Defines the scientific strategy for gene therapy to deliver a portfolio of programs across stage gates (idea to preclinical stage).
• Identifies and drives new scientific directions in gene therapy to build world-class capabilities.
• Brings innovative ideas and approaches which inform and influence the overall drug discovery and development process in gene therapy.
• Partners with RU heads in Research & Early Development, other BTMS functions, and Pharmaceutical Operations and Technology groups to deliver the portfolio and new gene therapy platform technologies.
• Defines and identifies external opportunities for investment in partnership with Business Development and the External Portfolio Innovation Unit.
• Responsible for leading a high-performing cross-disciplinary group with a focus growing, developing, and retaining talent.
• Develops and balances both long- and short-term gene therapy strategies, including resource allocation, staffing needs, expenses, and capital budget and implementation plans.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
10 or more years of experience in gene therapy.

DECISION-MAKING, DISCRETION & LATITUDE
The leader of GTxAU will be responsible for:
• A budget to make decisions on resource allocation for programs in the portfolio ba

Biogen R&D is looking for an innovative, scientific thought leader with deep modality expertise to head a new Gene Therapy Accelerator Unit (GTxAU) within Biotherapeutics and Medicinal Sciences (BTMS).