Senior Director TA Portfolio Delivery Lead

Location: King of Prussia, PA, USA or Maidenhead, UK
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – Onsite three days per week
Reports To: Vice President, Portfolio & Operations Excellence, CSL Behring

Based on the assigned Therapeutic Area (TA), this global leadership role is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of R&D Program Management, Development Planning, Project Management, and Therapeutic Area Portfolio & Operations. The role oversees functional project management across the respective therapeutic area, including development and regulatory programs, New Product Development, and Life Cycle Management.

Acting as a strategic partner to Therapeutic Area and R&D leadership, this individual drives effective portfolio planning, enables agile project delivery, and ensures alignment across cross-functional teams and geographies. As a key member of the Portfolio & Operations Excellence (POE) Leadership Team, the role proactively identifies and removes barriers to execution, addresses organizational and operational challenges, and drives accountability to ensure successful delivery of the R&D portfolio.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a global team of development and regulatory project managers responsible for managing complex R&D programs across the therapeutic area portfolio, including New Product Development and Life Cycle Management.
• Establish strategic approaches to accelerate development planning and delivery across the R&D portfolio while balancing innovation, quality, timelines, cost, and resource requirements.
• Lead the identification of opportunities to accelerate projects, proactively assess risks, and develop pragmatic, flexible solutions that enable effective decision-making and execution.
• Serve as a key member of the POE Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and fostering a culture of connectivity, delivery, empowerment, and transformation.
• Identify organizational bottlenecks, structural challenges, and delivery risks, taking ownership of driving issues through to resolution.
• Provide direction, coaching, and guidance to Development Project Management staff to ensure consistent application of robust yet pragmatic project management practices, standards, and methodologies.
• Build project management capabilities and promote best practices, including scenario planning, optionality analysis, risk management, and the development and maintenance of fully integrated project plans.
• Drive consistent project management behaviors and continuous improvement across the organization, including facilitating after-action reviews (AARs) and incorporating lessons learned into future programs.
• Provide hands-on project management support and coaching when needed to address critical milestones, resolve challenges, or support project teams in achieving key objectives.
• Lead cross-R&D and broader CSL initiatives that support overall portfolio priorities and improve the organization's ability to deliver programs on time and within budget.

• Lead and manage Therapeutic Area Portfolio & Operations, providing strategic and operational support to the TA Co-Leads and Therapeutic Area Leadership Team (TALT).
• Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the therapeutic area in alignment with the Portfolio, Development & Commercial (PD&C) Framework, overseeing initiatives and projects to maximize the value and outcomes established by TALT.
• Facilitate seamless collaboration between TALT and key functional partners, ensuring effective matrix interactions, alignment, and decision-making across the therapeutic area.
• Develop and coordinate frameworks and processes for establishing cross-functional TA strategies, ensuring product strategy plans are aligned with broader therapeutic area priorities.
• Coordinate the TA strategic planning process, ensuring planning outcomes are integrated, documented, aligned across functions, and supported by appropriate approvals.
• Support R&D and Commercial New Product Opportunity (NPO) due diligence activities.
• Partner with Portfolio Management to ensure TA portfolio information is integrated into portfolio plans, analyses, and investment management activities, supporting the development of strategic priorities.
• Lead and deliver strategic initiatives across the therapeutic area that span the broader PD&C framework.
• Facilitate regular TA portfolio reviews, including assessments of project timelines, costs, resources, and overall portfolio performance, as well as focused reviews of budgeting, clinical operations, and regulatory activities.
• Coordinate internal and external communications, including key messages, briefing materials, and Q&A development, on behalf of the TALT and TA Co-Leads.
• Partner with TA Co-Leads to guide Product Strategy Teams (PSTs) and relevant functional areas in developing long-term product forecasts that reflect the needs and strategic priorities of the therapeutic area.
• Anticipate future portfolio needs and proactively partner with teams to establish the plans, capabilities, and resources required to achieve long-term objectives.
• Drive integrated planning through PRISM/REDC processes, connecting cross-functional teams and ensuring the appropriate information, insights, and preparation are available to support strategic portfolio decisions.

• Lead and develop a global project management organization with complex objectives, broad functional interfaces, and responsibilities spanning multiple geographies.
• Establish strategic priorities, competency frameworks, and performance expectations that support organizational effectiveness, talent development, and professional growth.
• Build a high-performing project management organization by developing capabilities, strengthening leadership, and promoting consistent execution standards.
• Model and reinforce the leadership behaviors and organizational culture necessary to drive accountability, collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Address complex organizational and performance challenges, leading difficult conversations and driving constructive outcomes.
• Maintain a strong understanding of cross-functional R&D and business operations to enable integrated planning, effective resource alignment, and informed strategic decision-making.
• Coach, mentor, and develop project management leaders and staff, building the capabilities required to support an evolving global R&D portfolio.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific, business, or related discipline required; advanced degree (Master's, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in project management, program management, and/or portfolio management within R&D, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional R&D programs and global portfolios across multiple functions and geographies.
• Proven success managing large-scale development programs, portfolio initiatives, and organizational priorities within a complex matrix environment.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D processes, including drug development, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and Life Cycle Management.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic and operational planning, portfolio management, risk assessment, resource planning, and project execution.
• Experience with project and portfolio management methodologies, tools, and systems such as Microsoft Project, Planview, Smartsheet, or Jira.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, change leadership, and executive reporting capabilities, including the ability to translate complex data and insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, navigate organizational complexity, resolve issues, and drive decisions and initiatives through to successful completion.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop project management professionals while building high-performing global teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and operational judgment, with the ability to balance long-term portfolio priorities with immediate execution needs.
• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels, providing hands-on leadership when necessary to ensure successful program delivery.