Sr. Director, Vaccine Development

As a leading global animal health company, Elanco delivers innovative products and services to improve the health of pets and farm animals around the world because we believe making animals' lives better, makes life better. Since 1954, we have provided solutions that support veterinarians, farmers and pet owners to advance our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Elanco's promise to employees: Together, we foster an inclusive culture where everyone can make a difference, encouraging ownership, growth and well-being.

Share your passion for innovation and product development working with like-minded scientists and leaders at a cause-driven, customer focused company dedicated to positively impacting the health of animals, people, and the planet.

The Sr. Director of Vaccine Development will be a critical leader for the R&D site in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The role will be directly responsible for the technical and strategic leadership and administration of Elanco’s process, analytical, and product vaccine development team. The team partners with Clinical and Product Development functions at Elanco to develop US-only and/or Global products that will be subject to a variety of regulatory agencies. While successful product registrations are a key aspect of the role, the Sr. Director must also ensure appropriate process understanding and control strategies are developed to transfer robust, cost-effective products and processes to manufacturing sites.

In this role, the Sr. Director leads a team of subject matter experts located in Fort Dodge, IA. This team and role support the R&D portfolio from early research efforts thru successful technical transfers to manufacturing. This vaccine leader will closely partner with peers leading other Large and Small Molecule groups within Technical Development.

This position will report to the Vice President of Technical Development.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of multi-disciplined scientists and maintain key relationships with critical stakeholders (Product Development Teams, Manufacturing Technical Services, Global Operations, Quality, Research, Regulatory)

• Set the vision and strategy for Elanco’s vaccine platforms

• Create and sustain a culture of high technical rigor and innovation

• Implement and develop technical and professional capabilities to support process, analytics and formulations development to deliver the R&D portfolio

• Provide technical leadership and coaching to ensure timely and successful delivery of project outcomes in accordance with key project milestones (data, control strategies and material)

• Manage and prioritize resources (project and portfolio) to deliver against timelines and budgets

• Develop personnel, manage and retain key talent, and effectively recruit to fill capability gaps

• Co-lead the Fort Dodge R&D site, along with Global Operations and Clinical leaders, and provide leadership for the R&D facilities including, HS&E, Quality, Regulatory, and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives

• Liaise with Elanco Manufacturing and Quality representatives to develop sourcing strategies for commercial supply.

• Drive and implement the biotech innovation strategy (technology, science, productivity)

• Accountable for the technical transfer of new products/processes into commercial supply sites, both internal and external

• Serve as a key member of the Global Technical Development Leadership Team.

Key Technical Deliverables:

• Develop Elanco’s vaccines analytical and process strategy in close alignment with TSMS, Manufacturing, Regulatory and Quality to ensure robust processes are developed and commercialized

• Enhance Elanco’s capabilities, including upstream, downstream, formulation development and control strategies

• Build tools, systems, and business process to enable efficiency, effectiveness and quality in Technical Development and across development teams & critical partners

• New scientist recruitment and development of scientists

• Enable compliance with regulatory, safety, and performance standards

• Facilitate efficient knowledge sharing across technical teams to ensure robust problem solving

Experience Qualifications:

• MS or Ph.D. in microbiology, chemistry, engineering, and/or a biotechnology related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience working with vaccines in human or animal health sectors

• Ability to lead and develop scientists from a diverse set of backgrounds and with varied skill sets and competencies

• Proven leadership with teams with a demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities, manage ambiguity and show agility when dealing with dynamic change

• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate with and influence teams

• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, influence diverse groups and effectively manage relationships

• Experience working in regulated environments (e.g. FDA, EMA, EPA, USDA, etc.)

• Strong problem-solving skills, including strategic and creative thinking

• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing major projects and influencing/directing teams

• Ability to work successfully in international or multi-cultural settings

• Strongly desired to have experience with establishing Process and Analytical Control Strategies for Vaccines

• Demonstrated experience with building development timelines for vaccine process and analytical method development

Other Information:

• Position may require up to 25% travel.

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Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status