R&D
Where your curiosity drives the
miracles of
science
Research Project Planning Manager and AI Planning Lead
Cambridge, Massachusetts Salary Range USD 122,250.00 - 176,583.33
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: Research Project Planning Manager and AI Planning Lead
Location: Morristown, NJ Cambridge, MA
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.
The Research Project Planning Manager and AI Planning Lead is responsible for managing key milestone planning driving each stage gate of targets/assets (from M0 through M2) under their responsibility. The R-PPM provides proactive support to the Research Asset Project Managers and Research Project Team while working closely with Portfolio on alignment of each LC project’s stage gates. In addition, they will have close collaboration with OPCM team who manage the detail planning for each phase. This key core collaboration across actors will ensure greater visibility to management for monitoring our Research pipeline. Additional responsibility is to lead AI generative strategic project plan development. To be the key driver of enhanced functionality ideas and active development testing working closing with BSO and digital partners. This will encompass the entire R&D development phase, not limited to just research. The R-PPM is also participating in the management and the evolution of the planning toolsets: AI capabilities, templates, processes, tools, etc.
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:
The Research Project Planning Manager and AI Planning Lead’s main responsibilities are the following:
Develop and maintain the strategic milestones driving each stage gate from M0 to M2 project plan based on the strategy defined and set by Research PMs’, project team and governance decision
Monitor progression and highlight through digital reporting key milestones and project objectives
Analyze project timelines variances and help to set Key for Research KPIs
Monitoring of digital and AI planning landscape changes that enhance ability to optimize from early Research to our global submission strategies with key partners
Regularly provide project stakeholders, project teams and R&D governance with consolidated update and reporting
Strong appetite for Digital and AI integration to improve Planning
Strategy Planning Business partner with Project & Process Leaders (i.e. BSO, digital, platforms, etc.) for AI and Digital initiatives
This position represents a strategic investment in our Research and Digital planning capabilities and will directly contribute to our organizational goals of accelerating product through the R&D stage gates and enhancing our data and digital & AI capabilities from early stage to regulatory planning with project optimization, which aligns with our Research & Development Strategic Project Planning and Management group.
About You
Experience:
5+ years working in the pharmaceutical industry with very solid planning experience
Very strong understanding of research & development project management
Solid knowledge of drug development process from early research through LCM and in-depth understanding of interconnections between all contributors to the project strategy at all stages of R&D with a focus on Research
Strong appetite for Digital and AI integration – Proof points for contributing to planning optimization via innovative solutions
Soft skills:
Teamwork and transversal collaboration, strong networking skills
Customer-oriented and quality-focused
Ability to identify problems and apply thoughtful risk culture in day-to-day work
Ability to negotiate and influence planning assumptions with stakeholders
Solid communication and presentation skills (written and oral)
Analytical and synthetic, attention to detail, rigorous
Adaptability in a highly changeable environment
Curiosity and self-learner
Technical skills:
Solid planning skills and project management experience
Excellent knowledge of a planning tool (Planisware is a plus)
Able to build and maintain shared spaces for clear communication and visibility, like SharePoint and Teams space
Knowledge in BI tools (Tableau, Power BI) and AI app ideally
Ability to understand databases and to quickly acquire proficiency with computer systems and new applications
Ability to understand and integrate constraints of detailed plans to highlight key deliverables in a simplified approach
Education:
Degree related to Bio and Medical Engineering, Health Sciences and/or Data Science, Bachelors required, Master preferred in a Scientific degree or in Project Management
Languages:
Fluent in English (verbal and written communication)
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.
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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
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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
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