Senior Director – Head of Research, Early Development

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

. Establish scalable, world-class project management capabilities across discovery and early pipeline development .

Posted 10/28/2026full-timeRemote • United States, United Kingdom, IrelandSenior💰 $228,000 - $342,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in early drug development and project management within the biopharmaceutical industry, with a strong focus on optimizing drug development pathways and leading cross-functional teams. Proficient in utilizing project management tools such as Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle for effective planning and financial governance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Early Drug DevelopmentProject ManagementPlaniswareSmartsheetOracle

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Process OptimizationDrug Development PathwaysBudget FormulationFinancial GovernanceProject Tracking

Soft Skills

LeadershipMentoringCollaborationInfluencing Without Authority

Tools & Technologies

PlaniswareSmartsheetOracle

Certifications & Qualifications

PMP

Industry Keywords

BiopharmaceuticalOncologyNeuroscienceRare DiseaseIND EnablingFirst-in-Human

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

OraclePMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Establish scalable, world-class project management capabilities across discovery and early pipeline development
Drive process optimization from Candidate Drug Nomination through First-in-Human clinical trials
Ensure cross-functional project execution across Oncology, Neuroscience, and emerging Rare Disease indications
Cultivate high-performing project managers operating as operational leaders of drug programs
Institutionalize the Orchestra Team Operating Model across early-stage project teams
Monitor early portfolio risks, dependencies, opportunities, timelines, milestones, and budgets
Partner with Governance and Portfolio Management to align governance templates and project tracking
Partner with Chief Scientific Officers, Corporate Strategy, Governance, and Finance on prioritization and portfolio decisions
Collaborate with Late Development Project Leads to ensure transitions, continuity, and resource balancing
Directly manage, mentor, and develop global early development project managers
Allocate resources across early development programs and provide cross-portfolio support
Partner with R&D Finance on budget formulation, forecasting, and financial governance
Champion use of Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle for planning, tracking, dashboards, and financial analysis
Personally lead high-priority projects and perform hands-on project work as needed

Requirements

What you’ll need

Extensive progressive biopharmaceutical industry experience
Extensive direct experience in early drug development from Discovery and Pre-clinical through IND enabling and FIH
Proven experience line-managing, coaching, and developing senior project/program managers
Ability to lead, align, and influence executive-level scientists, C-suite leaders, and scientific governance bodies without direct authority
Hands-on experience and professional proficiency with Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle
Proven, referenceable track record of optimizing drug development pathways, driving process redesign, and reducing pre-clinical cycle times
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related field required
PMP or equivalent professional project management certification is a plus

Benefits

Comp & perks

Discretionary annual cash bonus or incentive compensation
Discretionary equity grants through the Long Term Equity Incentive Plan
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401k retirement savings plan
Flexible paid vacation