Early development Project Management Director

• Contribute to drive successful operational execution of early development programs as key member of the early development teams.
• Ensure cross-functional integration of the PM activities within the R&EI and ED organization, as well as R&D
• Drive PMO transformation initiatives to ensure continuous improvement of PM support activities and constant fit to business needs.

• The Early development Project Management Director will divide their time between acting as Project Manager (PM) for early development programs, leading cross functional integration of PM activities (such as resource forecast or Early development leaders’ community) and driving any required transformation initiatives to maintain future-ready PM processes and tools.

• The PM partners closely with the Early Development Teams Leaders (EDTLs) to drive the development of integrated, efficient, and cross-functional program execution plans in early discovery through IND, as part of the Early Development Team (EDT).
• Acting as PM, the Early development Project Management Director will have to:

• Apply Ipsen’s early development framework to ensure accurate and timely delivery of projects objectives and steady progress of early development programs toward the clinic.
• Enforce productive project environment by utilizing standard project methodology and applying Ipsen early development PM playbook.
• Develop detailed cross-functional planning and track project progress against objectives and timelines and raise potential red flags to project leader as appropriate as well as possible mitigation.
• Advises on governance expectations and prepares for key decision point discussions with focus on cross-functional input and rigorous debate.
• Facilitates effective, science-based business decisions including the generation of multiple development scenarios/options as needed, highlighting interdependencies and downstream impacts (including but not limited to timelines and budget) of strategic decisions.
• Contribute with project leaders in preparation and presentation of progress reports and decision-making material to the appropriate project governance bodies, stakeholders, and senior management.
• Manage project budget and resource plan in partnership with the EDTL, Finance cost controller, Resource Forecast managers, function heads and function representatives within the team.
• Collaborate with Finance representative to track project budget, expenses and resources against estimates and commitment and raise potential red flags to project leader as appropriate.
• Serve as the central operational project management point of contact for early development team members.
• Ensure all supportive materials and data are provided for tax credit requests on due time.
• Set-up and keep up-to-date project documents repository available to all team members and supporting collaborative ways of working.
• Ensure good organization and easy access to all relevant project documents.
• Foster development of high performing teams, actively monitoring the health and operating efficiency of teams
• For projects that are being jointly developed, works closely with a key strategic alliance partner.

• the Early development Project Management Director will be responsible for leading and delivering cross-functional integration of PM initiatives:

• Act as Resource Forecast Lead (RFL):
• Provide continuous support to the Local Resource Manager during the Resource forecast exercises (Portfolio review, Budget…)
• Ensure all departments are involved in the Resource forecast review & update process and complete their updates prior to the deadline
• Coordinate activities that lead to a preliminary Resource Forecast consolidation for the whole function via reporting tools
• Coordinate the consolidation of all information/updates about the function capacity (from HR & Finance files) and liaise with GRDO RF Team to ensure iPlan capacity is up to date
• Closely work with GRDO RF Team prior to each Resource forecast exercises (Portfolio review, Budget…) to ensure all functions needs & capacity are correctly mapped
• Contribute to the Resource Forecast Process & Tool Improvement

• Lead and maintain the EDTL community:
• Maintain the EDTL community membership.
• Identify key topics to be included in the community.
• Organize and lead community meetings and workshops across the year.
• Maintain community training programs.
• Ensure relevance of community topics with operational and strategic needs of EDTLs
• Lead and deliver community communication plan
• Drive PMO transformation initiatives when necessary
• Identify potential needs for transformation of PMO processes and tools and align with VP Early portfolio strategy and transformation to define any required transformation project
• Implement and lead any required transformation project.

• The Early development Project Manager Director role is highly autonomous yet deeply cross functional, requiring developing efficient interface with key stakeholders and functions within Ipsen (including but not limited to R&D, Business Units, Value & Access, Finance, HR, Marketing, Sales, Business Operations & Legal) as well as outside Ipsen to ensure optimal project delivery and information sharing.
• As the organization evolve, this role could also evolve to include people management responsibility, including direct oversight of a group of PMs who are supporting programs across the early development portfolio.

• Business school and/or minimum master’s degree
• Scientific background, PhD is ideal.

• 10+ years of experience in biotech/pharmaceutical/health care industry, including 5+ years in the discovery/ early development space, including at least 3+ years in project management or leadership of cross-functional matrix teams.
• Experience at a global drug development team level with knowledge of requirements supporting IND/CTAs and initiation of Phase 1 studies
• Ideal: Prior experience of informal or formal people management.

• Minimum: English
• Ideal additional language: French

• Proven, strong individual contributor with a history of operational support to lead discovery, lead optimization, and/or candidate development towards entry into the clinic.
• Proven ability to manage projects
• Knowledge and understanding of key Therapeutic Areas of focus for Ipsen: Oncology, Rare Diseases and Neurosciences
• Significant cross-functional team management experience
• Leadership skills including Interpersonal and facilitation skills necessary to drive alignment, ability to lead a team of experts and influence without authority
• Ability to interface with technical and scientific internal user groups
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Projects and collaborative working tools (ideally Teams/SharePoint)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to handle multiple projects while maintaining quality/standards per IPSEN guidelines/expectations
• Flexible; independent problem solving and self-direction
• Adept at working in an environment requiring effective management of confidential information.

Ipsen