R&D Strategy Director
Paris, FranceGentilly, France Regular Posted on Jan. 08, 2026 Closing on Apr. 01, 2026
Le contenu du poste est libellé en anglais car il nécessite de nombreuses interactions avec nos filiales à l’international, l'anglais étant la langue de travail.
This job offer is accessible to all, regardless of gender.
Job title: R&D Strategy Director
Hiring Manager: Mathilde BRYSE
Grade: L4
Location: Paris
Job type: Permanent
About the job
Our Team:
The Global R&D Strategy team’s overarching objective is to equip Sanofi’s leaders with robust, objective and externally focused insights to develop R&D strategy and to make smarter strategic portfolio and project decisions. We achieve this by ensuring robust valuation and prioritization of the R&D portfolio and optimization of resources.
The Global R&D Strategy team works with key stakeholders across the organization (R&D and GBUs) to support portfolio and project decision-making aligned to our corporate strategy and agreed TA strategies. The team’s remit is to:
- Use advanced analytics to develop R&D strategy and shape decision making (e.g., stage gate analysis to determine optimal development strategy, strategic planning, decision trees, etc.) to optimize utilization of resources and facilitate trade-off discussions:
- The Therapeutic Area (TA) Leads work with the Global Project teams (GPTs) to present these analytics at key Go/No go decisions during Governance meetings. The R&D Strategy team ensures the consolidation of these analyses into a holistic TA and cross-TA portfolio view (pipeline volume, risk, value) with data visualization tools and makes recommendations.
- The R&D strategy team develops and implements a comprehensive R&D strategy outlining portfolio strategy and trade-offs, resulting footprint and platform implications, digital enablers and inputs into organizational design.
- Ensure R&D asset, TA and Company pipeline valuation (including evolution of risk) are completed using a consistent and rigorous process across Sanofi, including the development of standard tools. Provide challenge to cross-functions and project teams’ assumptions via quantitative analyses of previous Sanofi performance and external benchmarks, integration of internal data available and externa information. Use artificial intelligence to draw insights and continuously identify new sources of data that can inform quantitative analyses and predictive analytics
- Develop and continuously improve advanced analytics platform that provides real-time access to R&D pipeline analytics, leveraging AI, & integrating systems to enable strategic decision making across Sanofi
Main responsibilities:
The R&D Strategy team is looking to add a team-oriented member to build an internal consulting capability in R&D at Sanofi to drive R&D strategy and decision making.
The main responsibilities R&D Strategy Director will include:
Develop a comprehensive R&D strategy that aligns with Sanofi’s near and long-term ambitions:
Strategic planning
- Growth Story & rationale: articulate growth ambition and strategy and gap to address to meet company objectives. Safeguard integrity of the R&D strategy by challenging and influencing key decisions that could disrupt delivery
- Conduct market research and data-driven analysis leveraging AI to identify white spaces (Disease Areas, platforms, assets and indications) focusing on areas where we have the right to win
- Develop and implement a harmonized framework for R&D pipeline inclusion and prioritization to guide expectations for decision making
- Performance Management: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and effectiveness of R&D Strategy (e.g., BOI, EPS)
- Communication: support clear and consistent messaging with stakeholders inside and outside R&D organization
TA/Platform focus:
- Drive detailed ongoing analysis of our right to win (e.g, resources, CMC) and future competitiveness in each space (TA, DA and Platforms)
- Support prioritization of TA and platforms to match areas of focus including white spaces
- Advise on cross fertilization between various platforms to drive innovation
Digital and AI strategy: support the Head of R&D Digital Strategy, develop an R&D digital, data and AI strategy aligned to the overarching R&D strategy.
- Collaborate with cross-Functions Leaders (e.g., Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Finance) to inform and influence strategic thinking through impact modelling. Structure and perform scenarios and simulations to model and value strategic alternatives and trade-offs with the aim of maximizing efficiencies and value at a company level
- Work closely with cross-function partners (e.g., Portfolio Management, FP&A) to leverage or generate the right set of assumptions to feed strategic planning
- Collaborate closely with Finance and Business Development to ensure effective allocation of resources (Research and Development) on area of focus (internally and externally)
About you
As a Leader within this group, you will gain exposure to all functions, therapy areas and come to truly understand the company-wide vision. You will develop a deep understanding of investment choices across-TA (internal and external) and strategic targets the organization is aiming to achieve in order to enable its ambition (e.g., pipeline sustainability).
The R&D Strategy Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the R&D initiatives of the organization and drive decisions for the Sanofi Portfolio. You will work closely with cross-functional senior members (such as but not limited to: R&D, Commercial, Finance, Business Development, Competitive Intelligence) to align R&D effort with the company’s objectives. Your ability to manage ambiguity, structure complex strategic problems and conduct complex analyses, present findings, and help facilitate decision-making will be key to the group’s success.
We are looking for motivated individuals with a hard work ethic and a track record of achievement.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of professional business experience
- Direct experience in the life sciences and an experience in Banking or Strategy consulting would be a significant asset
Soft skills:
- Good business judgment, problem structuring and being able to manage ambiguity are required
- The ability to synthesize information and present key findings in a crisp and concise manner
- Strong project management capabilities, helping to ensure team objectives are met according to timelines
- The maturity and leadership skills to be able to interact at senior levels
- Aptitude to learn and think quickly with the ability to apply learning across multiple situations
Technical skills:
- Strong analytical skills with a mastery of Excel, and a solid grasp of corporate finance principles are required
- Experience with Enrich (PlanView Advisor) and/or other standard portfolio management and visualization tools would be significant asset
Education:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required
- Advanced Degree (PhD in Life Sciences, MD, Vet, Pharm D) and an MBA is highly preferred
Language:
- The candidates must be fluent in English (speaking and writing)
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.
nullPursue 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.
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