Senior Director, Head of R&D Strategy and Operations
1 day ago
Brisbane
Job Description SENIOR DIRECTOR, HEAD OF R&D STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS At Day One, we are focused on advancing first- or best-in-class medicines for childhood and adult diseases with equal intensity. We were founded to address the lack of new therapies resulting from the traditional drug development model, that has left children with cancer and their families waiting too long for new, life-changing treatments. Our aim is to accelerate better, targeted treatments so patients of any age can look forward from 'day one' to the future they've envisioned. POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Director, Head of R&D Strategy and Operations, will serve as a critical member of the R&D Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Head of R&D. This individual will act as a strategic advisor and operational leader, ensuring that R&D priorities are clearly defined, aligned, and executed across the portfolio including Medical Affairs. This role is designed for a leader who thrives at the intersection of science, medicine, strategy, and operations. The position requires someone who can translate vision into action, coordinate across diverse functions, and create the structures and processes that enable Day One's R&D organization to operate at its best. Partnering with each R&D Department Head, Finance and the People team, the individual in this role will ensure budget and resource accountability within R&D functions. The individual in this role will also assume primary accountability for cross-Department and cross-Functional initiatives (either within R&D or with critical partners outside of R&D), especially those initiatives intended to drive operational excellence, optimize resource use and allocation, launch new strategic initiatives, oversee organizational change, and enhance the vision, mission and R&D culture at Day One. As a fully empowered contributing member and lead facilitator of the R&D Leadership Team (RDLT), this role is both advisory and operational, requiring strategic aptitude and analytic skills along with focus, intellectual flexibility, strong interpersonal and exquisite project management skills. It is expected that the individual in this role, on behalf of the entire RDLT (R&D Leadership Team), will assume primary accountability with key partners such as Finance, HR, Commercial, the Office of the PMO and Corporate Communications. The individual in this role is expected to assume direct managerial accountability for the strategy and operations lead within Medical Affairs, and similar roles based upon business need in Development, Clinical/Medical and Research. This position has the potential to be fully remote, but hybrid in Brisbane, CA is preferred. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Leadership & Planning • Partner with the Head of R&D to shape and execute the R&D vision, priorities, and operating model, identifying key gaps in operating performance, organizational structure, and business processes. It is expected that the individual in this role will identify and oversee initiatives to address these impediments to optimize corporate performance., • Drive strategic planning cycles, including annual operating plans, portfolio strategy reviews, and R&D goal setting, with the expectation that goals will be established and tracked consistent with corporate processes., • Lead R&D operations, ensuring effective decision-making, resource allocation, and organizational performance tracking., • Oversee the planning, preparation and successful execution of all Board, portfolio management and Executive Leadership governance meetings., • Establish and oversee governance forums (R&D leadership meetings, portfolio reviews, operational and technical reviews), partnering with corporate initiatives/stakeholders as required., • Partner closely with Finance, HR, and the PMO to ensure alignment of resources, budgets, and people strategies., • Act as the integrator across R&D functions and with broader company stakeholders., • Streamline communications, ensuring clarity and transparency across leadership and teams. For example, this may include working with R&D teams and leaders to optimize preparation of briefing materials for the Head, R&D., • Lead key initiatives to enhance culture, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness., • Build and lead a small, high-performing strategy and operations team to support R&D execution., • Mentor and develop talent within the team and across the R&D function., • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is required, with a preference for an advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, MBA, or equivalent)., • 12+ years of experience in biotechnology/pharmaceutical R&D, management consulting, or related field, with at least 5 years in leadership roles. While prior individual contributor experience roles are acceptable, direct managerial experience is an advantage., • Proven success in R&D and/or Medical Affairs operations, strategy, or organizational leadership roles., • Strong understanding of drug discovery, development, and portfolio management in oncology or rare disease preferred., • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage complex projects, and influence senior stakeholders., • Strategic thinker with strong business and scientific acumen and an enterprise level perspective and mindset, • Exceptional organizational, operational, and execution skills., • Sound project management skills required, including ease with standard project management software and office tools (e.g. Smart sheet, Microsoft office suite of products, etc.), • Strong leadership presence with ability to influence without authority, both cross functionally and as a manager. A strong attitude of continuous improvement, openness and transparency a must., • Excellent communication and facilitation skills—comfortable with executive audiences., • Track record of driving process improvements and organizational change, managing change, and establishing pragmatic and achievable objectives., • Highly adaptable, proactive, and resilient in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Open to creative and innovative ways of working, willing to bring new ideas into the role and organization. INTERVIEW INTEGRITY At Day One, we expect each candidate to engage authentically, representing their true qualifications and experiences. As part of our screening process, we will conduct several interviews and background verification. This ensures candidates have the skills they claim and align with our values. We are excited to learn more about you and to create a genuine experience for everyone. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The salary range for this position is $275,000 - $300,000. Day One considers a range of factors when determining base compensation. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. Please visit to see our competitive benefits. DISCLAIMER Day One Biopharmaceuticals is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Employment is conditioned upon full vaccination from the COVID-19 virus, including submission of documented proof thereof, as of the start date. Day One Biopharmaceuticals will comply with applicable law regarding the reasonable accommodation of individuals who are not vaccinated because of a disability and/or a sincerely held religious belief. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any applicant work visas at this time. Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Day One Biopharmaceuticals does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Day One Biopharmaceuticals or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Day One Biopharmaceutical's internal HR team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, and Day One Biopharmaceuticals will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.