Senior Director, Vaccine Development Project Leadership – Farm Animal R&D

Elanco

. Lead multi-functional teams and drive projects from pipeline entry through approval using internal and external resources .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading multi-functional teams to drive vaccine project development from inception to approval, with a strong focus on strategic planning, project management, and regulatory compliance in the animal health industry.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Vaccine Project LeadershipProject ManagementRegulatory ComplianceStrategic ThinkingR&D Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project PlanningBudget ManagementResource AllocationRisk ManagementProduct Development

Soft Skills

LeadershipEmotional IntelligenceCommunication SkillsTeam MotivationCreativity

Certifications & Qualifications

Master’s DegreePhDDVM

Industry Keywords

Animal HealthFarm Animal VaccinesR&D StagesInnovation OpportunitiesGlobal Strategy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead multi-functional teams and drive projects from pipeline entry through approval using internal and external resources
Manage projects spanning multiple species, geographies, and registration pathways
Collaborate with R&D and Commercial leaders to identify and advance innovation opportunities aligned with Elanco’s global strategy
Deliver project goals on time and in full by managing project plans, assigned team members, timing, and budget
Define optimized project plans, including resource needs, development costs, cost of goods, and margin
Establish, monitor, and communicate project strategies and milestones
Collaborate with Corporate Strategy & Global Launch, Manufacturing & Quality, and other functions to support project valuation and ROI
Assemble, revise, and lead project teams, assigning subject-matter experts to project needs
Set goals and objectives, hold team members accountable, foster creativity, and motivate project teams
Align with project managers on project plans, timelines, and budgets
Identify and communicate project risks, status, opportunities, mitigations, and remediation plans to executive leadership
Lead engagements with regulatory agencies and external collaborators/vendors
Serve on product task force efforts supporting R&D and commercial projects
Oversee the Farm Animal R&D vaccine pipeline as the role develops

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. animal science, veterinary medicine, chemistry, biology or related sciences) plus relevant industry experience
Proven vaccine project leadership history across species, technology types & R&D stages
Proven project leadership at all stages of product development, including track record of launching farm animal vaccines
Demonstrated ability to work within regulated product development
Demonstrated strong leadership skills and strategic thinking
High emotional intelligence
Clear written and oral communication skills
Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision (preferred qualification)
PhD and/or DVM and more than 8 years of R&D project leadership experience in the animal health industry (preferred qualification)
Domestic/International travel required (20%)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Multiple relocation packages
Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
8-week parental leave
9 Employee Resource Groups
Annual bonus offering
Flexible work arrangements
Up to 6% 401K matching