R&D
Where your curiosity drives the
miracles of
science
Global Head of Medical Innovation
Cambridge, Massachusetts Salary Range USD 228,750.00 - 330,416.66
At a glance
Bring your curiosity to a team where deep immunoscience meets cutting-edge innovation. Across oncology, rare diseases, neurology, and vaccines, you’ll work at the intersection of lab science and AI-powered discovery — all while collaborating across boundaries to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Whether you want to deepen your scientific expertise or grow as a leader, you’ll find the opportunity here.
Job Title: Global Head of Medical Innovation
Location: Cambridge, MA, Morristown, NJ
About the Job
Join the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you’ll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.
At Sanofi, we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. We are accelerating Sanofi's modernization journey, supporting our Take the Lead strategy to become more focused, integrated, agile, and efficient. The current wave of digital technologies in artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative AI offers enormous opportunities to transform the future of Medical by pioneering innovative models, digital capabilities, and external collaborations that transform how we generate, communicate, and apply scientific and medical value, ensuring our organization is future-ready and best-in-industry.
To harness the power of new technologies and accelerate digital transformation within the Medical Strategy and Transformation team, the Global Head of Medical Innovation will drive strategic initiatives across AI, digital health, real-world evidence platforms, and cross-industry collaborations, shaping the next era of scientific impact working in partnership with our Medical GBUs, digital and cross-functional teams. This role works in close alignment with GBU priorities and strategies, serving as a key innovation partner to advance their objectives while collaborating with Digital Partners to ensure seamless integration of medical innovation initiatives.
This senior role will design and operationalize future-focused initiatives including AI, intelligent content systems, immersive scientific engagement, external innovation partnerships, and transformation pilots. Through collaboration with academia, digital health start-ups, data science hubs, and technology partners, this role ensures Medical evolves into a predictive, insight-driven, digital-first function.
About Sanofi:
We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.
Main Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
Develop and own the global Medical Innovation roadmap aligned with the Medical GBUs, enterprise strategy and Digital Partner initiatives
Anticipate future disruptions in science, technology, and healthcare to guide capability building
Drive AI-powered transformation through generative AI, intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and immersive technologies (AR/VR, digital platforms) in partnership with GBUs to ensure adoption and scalability
Build a strategic ecosystem via partnerships with academia, AI labs, health tech start-ups, and innovation accelerators while coordinating with GBU leadership and Digital Partners to maximize synergies
Design and scale breakthrough models including personalized education ecosystems, self-serve evidence platforms, and co-creation initiatives tailored to GBU-specific needs and leveraging Digital Partner capabilities
Represent Sanofi externally as the senior thought leader in medical innovation at industry forums
Lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that span multiple business units and geographies
Execution & Implementation
Integrate innovation into core Medical processes across Field Excellence, Scientific Communications, and Evidence Generation, working closely with GBU teams and Digital Partners to ensure seamless implementation
Collaborate with peer executives across R&D, Commercial, and Digital to drive integrated innovation strategy
Lead pilots and proof-of-concept initiatives that demonstrate value and scalability of new approaches ensuring GBU buy-in and Digital Partner support throughout the process
Define innovation KPIs, governance frameworks, and impact metrics (adoption, scale, scientific value)
Champion cultural transformation by embedding curiosity, experimentation, and digital fluency across Medical Affairs
Influence enterprise-wide resource allocation and investment decisions related to medical innovation
Team & Stakeholder Leadership
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of innovation specialists and subject matter experts who can effectively collaborate with GBUs and Digital Partners
Collaborate with senior leadership to align innovation goals with overall company strategy
Partner with Medical GBUs and Digital teams to ensure seamless integration of new solutions into existing workflows with particular focus on the deployment and optimization of key programs such as MedIS, MedDev, Turing etc
Act as a change agent, inspiring the organization to embrace new ways of working
Governance & Compliance
Ensure all innovation activities comply with relevant regulations and ethical standards
Develop and maintain robust governance protocols for new technologies and approaches
Stay informed about evolving regulations and industry standards related to AI and digital health in healthcare
About You
Leadership & Skills:
Visionary mindset with ability to anticipate future trends and translate complex concepts for diverse stakeholders
Track record of building high-performing teams and fostering cultures of innovation
Excellence in stakeholder influence, strategic storytelling, and change leadership
Strong understanding of how emerging technologies can enhance medical evidence generation, scientific communication, and field engagement
Executive Competencies:
Enterprise Perspective: Ability to balance business unit needs with enterprise-wide priorities
Executive Presence: Exceptional communication skills with ability to influence at Board and C-suite level
Strategic Agility: Anticipates market shifts and positions the organization to capitalize on emerging opportunities
Business Acumen: Deep understanding of pharmaceutical business model and value drivers
Organizational Navigation: Ability to drive change through complex matrix organizations
Experience & Qualifications:
10+ years of leadership experience in Medical Innovation, Digital Health, or Scientific Strategy within pharmaceutical/healthcare or related fields
Advanced scientific degree preferred; additional qualifications in Data Science, AI, or Digital Health are a plus
Proven success leading large-scale innovation or transformation programs in global, matrixed environments
Experience with AI applications, digital platforms, or external venture collaborations strongly preferred
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Travel Requirements:
This global role requires approximately 25-30% travel
Why Choose Us
Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
#GD-SA
#LI-SA
#LI-Hybrid
#vhd
All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.
Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.
Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com
Find out more about this location
Why work with us
- Expand your horizons. Grow through curiosity, with support to move, learn, and lead in a culture that champions mentorship, mobility, and bold development.
- Accelerate results with technology. Harness the power of AI and automation to push scientific boundaries and reimagine what's possible in drug discovery.
- Impact through inclusive innovation. Help deliver better science and fairer outcomes by driving inclusive research that reaches more people, in more meaningful ways.
- Turn patient needs into breakthrough science. Drive scientific breakthroughs that start with patient needs – and end in treatments that change lives.
Meet Nils Libert, Associate Scientist
Meet Nils Libert, an Associate Scientist in Belgium, where he plays a key role in advancing groundbreaking research. Learn how his work helps drive innovation, uncover new scientific possibilities, and contribute to life-changing treatments that impact patients around the world.
"At Sanofi, we are building an R&D engine powered by the best science, digital innovation, and a commitment to transforming the lives of patients around the world."
Houman Ashrafian
EVP & Head of R&D
Discover more
Our R&D focus areas
Discover how we're reshaping the future of medicine through immunoscience – unlocking bold, cross-disease breakthroughs that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Meet Sanofians in the labs
Step inside our labs and hear from the scientists turning cutting-edge science into real-world impact – driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
Join our
talent community
What could we achieve together? Every Sanofian works on projects that truly make a difference to people’s lives.
Sign up today and discover our latest opportunities as soon as they’re available.