Senior Director, Compound Development Team Leader- Neuropsychiatry

Johnson & Johnson seeks a Senior Director to lead the Compound Development Team for Neuropsychiatry in Allschwil, focusing on late-stage strategy and cross-functional execution for brain health therapies.

This position sits within the Neuroscience division, addressing significant challenges in brain health such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. The primary objective is to drive the late-stage development strategy and execution for a specific molecular entity. The successful candidate will guide a cross-functional team through the entire clinical lifecycle, from Phase 2b trials through post-marketing activities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the matrix leader for the Compound Development Team, collaborating with Therapeutic Area leadership to shape compound strategy.
• Develop and maintain the program plan, providing necessary research, analysis, and expertise to support decision-making.
• Oversee cross-functional project execution by negotiating functional deliverables with department heads.
• Align team members and represented functions to ensure the achievement of established goals.
• Identify critical risks and assumptions, communicating them transparently to the CDT, governance committees, and senior management.
• Lead contingency planning and issue resolution at the CDT, Therapeutic Area, and Pharma governance levels.
• Facilitate problem-solving within the team and provide decision-making tools and techniques.
• Communicate strategy and plans to governance committees, development partners, and key stakeholders.
• Review medical publications generated by the team and its affiliates.
• Manage the budget for the compound or program.
• Select CDT members, set goals, mentor staff, and provide input for performance evaluations.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Ph.D., M.D., or M.B.A.) is highly preferred.
• Minimum of ten years in the pharmaceutical industry or related fields, or five to seven years specifically in drug development.
• Proven experience in a leadership role within a multi-functional R&D organization.
• Ability to integrate cross-functional disciplines into a cohesive strategy and project plan.
• Understanding of the requirements for successful commercialization of new products.
• Expert knowledge of the drug development process and the competitive landscape.
• Strong problem-solving skills to develop creative solutions and meet project objectives.
• Demonstrated influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to lead without direct reporting authority.
• Significant experience in a leadership position within a team matrix environment.
• Strong planning and tracking capabilities.
• Strategic thinking and contingency planning aligned with Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine objectives.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, including Excel and Word.
• Experience with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and regulatory requirements for clinical trials and filings.

About the company

Johnson & Johnson operates with the belief that health is paramount, aiming to create a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured. The company fosters an inclusive work environment that values each individual, respecting diversity and dignity while recognizing employee merit.

• Commitment to preventing, treating, and curing complex diseases.
• Inclusive work environment that treats each person as an individual.
• Respect for diversity and dignity of employees.
• Recognition of employee merit.