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Vaccines

Vaccines
Where
extraordinary minds
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half a billion people

Global Project Head - Vaccines R&D

Washington D.C., District of Columbia Salary Range   USD 206,250.00 - 297,916.66
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Who we are

Every day, 2.5 million Sanofi vaccine doses reach patients worldwide - powered by bold ideas, cutting-edge science, and passionate people like you. Across every stage — from discovery to delivery — Sanofians are shaping the future of vaccines. In global R&D hubs, exceptional offices, and state-of-the-art manufacturing sites, we’re reimagining what’s possible. But science alone isn’t enough — it’s the extraordinary minds behind it that truly make the difference.

Job Title: Global Project Head - Vaccines R&D

Location: Washington, DC

About the Job

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization.

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.

Major Responsibilities:

To support sustainable growth, Sanofi Vaccine’s ambition is to build an innovative and well-balanced Vaccine Research and Development/LCM portfolio. Within the research phase this implies both continuous assessment of potential targets from the universe of Infectious Disease to enrich the portfolio and the efficient execution of approved projects.

The Global Project Head (GPH) is a leadership position with strong ties with the entire organization, and beyond. In this role you will have two main missions:

  • to lead cross-functional teams to identify new target opportunities, deliver initial Target Product Profile/Target Value Proposition and lay out credible research and development plans to support timely decisions on portfolio entry.

  • to lead the cross-functional team (rGPT) in charge of delivering one or more endorsed research project.

The GPH will lead the research project team and design the project strategy together with all the functions sitting at the Project Team. The GPH will pursue the aspiration of delivering as efficiently as possible the end goal, being a registered differentiated vaccine that addresses medical need for patients and offers financial return for the company.

The role is accountable for overall project strategy and execution in the research phase to include the following:

  • Leads a global and transversal team of Subject Matter Experts to deliver high value creating projects

  • Defends the project strategy at governance boards, including scientific review as well as investment decisions

  • Manages multiple internal and external stakeholders, including at executive levels

  • Provides input into team member performance reviews

  • Fosters and implements internal or external innovation solutions for the development of First in Class/Best in Class Vaccines for infectious disease targets by creating an efficient close collaboration across Sanofi to identify novel technologies and approaches

  • Close collaboration with Innovation and Ext R&D, Antigen Design, Global Immunology Functions and the mRNA Center of Excellence

  • Stays informed on the state-of-the-art approaches for vaccine development, characterization and immunological assessment, through efficient internal connections, and Competitive pipeline assessments

  • Secures IP strategy and integrated scientific communication

  • Accountable for developing both integrated strategy & development plan and its effective execution through the project team, in compliance with approved timelines & budget

  • Accountable for building and maintaining aligned strategy with external partners

  • Ensures that the right interactions with regulatory authorities are in place

  • Ensures that risk-mitigation plan is articulated, escalated, validated by relevant internal governance bodies and monitored

  • Resolve resource & budget issues with functions or decision bodies in order to meet project objectives

About You

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. (in scientific related field), MD, or Pharm D., with at least 5+ years of experience in vaccine R&D or equivalent experience in other discipline within the Vaccine Value Chain

Skills & Competencies:

  • Strong scientific background with excellent understanding of global vaccine development activities along the entire Value Chain from research up to market access

  • Strategic thinking and leadership abilities in combination with understanding science, technologies and business of biopharmaceutical product development

  • Performance oriented with ability to work along agreed timeline and budget, and a focus on strategy and execution.

  • Ability to evaluate new internal & external opportunities (technology, new vaccine targets, mAbs, enabling sciences, etc.)

  • Good networking ability in cross-cultural environment

  • Ability to connect dots between functions within the organization and data/ideas from internal/external experts to build a coherent strategy

  • Experience in or demonstrated evidence for the capacity to lead cross-functional group of professionals 

  • Excellent communication skill to ensure a good understanding of opportunities & challenges by senior stakeholders

  • Ability to foster collaborative practices between functions and to energize and inspire people

  • Fluent English communication skills, verbal and written

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

  • We’re problem-solvers and pioneers. United by the belief that everyone deserves a healthier future. We create best-in-class vaccines that prevent disease and protect lives.

  • Innovation drives us. From AI and mRNA to next-gen science, we push the boundaries to deliver first- and best-in-class vaccines for infectious diseases worldwide.

  • Growth happens here. With bold investments in R&D and world-class facilities, Sanofians across the entire vaccine lifecycle are shaping the future of global health.

  • We do what’s right. Sustainability and DE&I drive our positive global impact—because the diverse communities Sanofians represent are the patients we serve.

What does it take to protect the world from disease?

For over a century, we’ve been pioneering breakthroughs that help protect millions from diseases like polio, influenza, RSV, and more. And we’re not stopping there.

Powered by groundbreaking technologies - mRNA platforms, recombinant proteins, and AI-driven insights - we’re pushing the boundaries of science.

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"I’m immensely proud of the pace of our innovation – the urgency by which our teams are working to transform the practice of medicine."

Thomas Triomphe

Executive Vice President, Vaccines

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Sanofi’s mRNA Center of Excellence

Step into the future of healthcare with Sanofi’s mRNA Center of Excellence. Discover how a global team is transforming medicine with cutting-edge mRNA technology – and explore the skills, inspirations, and breakthroughs driving this revolution. Ready to shape the future?

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About Sanofi Vaccines

Explore our commitment to protecting global health through the power of vaccines. We’re building healthier communities with innovative solutions that save millions of lives each year. Dive into the future of vaccines, discover the diseases we’re tackling, and learn why vaccination is critical at every stage of life.

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