Chief of Staff to the Head of Global Product and Portfolio Strategy

Why Apply

This is a rare opportunity to operate at the heart of a global pharmaceutical group, working directly alongside the Head of GPPS as a Chief of Staff . You will sit at the intersection of product strategy, portfolio governance, and enterprise execution, with direct exposure to C-suite decision-making.

The role combines strategic advisory work with hands-on operational leadership. You will help shape portfolio and disease-area strategies, drive execution of critical initiatives across the product lifecycle, and ensure governance forums operate with clarity and impact. As Secretary to the Global Business Operations Committee (GBOC), you will play a pivotal role in enabling cross-enterprise alignment and decision-making.

This is a highly visible, trusted partner role for someone who thrives in complex, matrixed environments and enjoys translating strategy into action at scale.

Offer and Benefits

Office located in Cambridge, MA

Hybrid role

Company Stats

Must-Have Requirements

Significant in-house experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry on top of consulting, with a successful track record in product strategy/pipeline management, business /P&L management, and/or R&D.

Proven track record in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives within a global, matrixed organization.

Strong analytical and commercial/marketing skills

Job description

Description:

Our client is a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong focus on innovation, specialty care, and asset-centric value creation across the product lifecycle. The organisation operates in a highly collaborative, international environment where strategic clarity and execution discipline are critical.

This is a high-impact Chief of Staff / Head of Operations role embedded within the Global Product and Portfolio Strategy (GPPS) organisation, reporting directly to the EVP, Chief Product Officer. You will act as a strategic advisor, execution partner, and operational anchor for the CPO and GPPS leadership team.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategy Leadership

• Ensure alignment with the company’s Asset-Centric Model and its effective operations at different stages of the lifecycle
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CPO on topics including but not limited to assets in the current portfolio, external business development, and on performance management
• Support in review of long-term disease area and portfolio strategies, risks and opportunities
• Serve as Secretary to the Global Business Operations Committee (GBOC), enabling governance and enterprise-wide decision-making
• Lead high-impact initiatives including strategic/operational planning, change programs, and portfolio optimization.
• Coordinate the integration of acquired assets (as applicable) in collaboration with asset leads and cross-functional stakeholders.

Business Operations Leadership

• Work with the GPPS Leadership Team, driving clarity and alignment on priorities
• Manage the GPPS operations including strategic events, milestones, and key deliverables.
• Oversee execution of key initiatives, proactively resolving risks and issues.
• Support operational readiness and execution. As applicable, review, design, and execute operational improvements; define knowledge and skills gaps and help address them
• Lead development of business and operational reviews to senior executives

Leadership Team & Organization Enablement

• Optimize GPPS Leadership Team meetings for strategic and operational focus
• Track and follow up on GPPS priorities and KPIs to ensure accountability.
• Promote key initiatives across the organization, amplifying impact through various functions.
• Foster collaboration and act as liaison across divisions (R&D, Commercial, Medical and others)

This role requires someone who can seamlessly move between strategy, governance, and execution — bringing structure, judgment, and momentum without ego.

Requirements

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, with a successful track record in product strategy/pipeline management, business /P&L management, and/or R&D.
• Strong analytical and commercial/marketing skills
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives within a global, matrixed organization.
• Experience in executive-level stakeholder management and presentation skills, including supporting C-suite leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational complexity and influence without formal authority.
• Experience in change management and transformation programs, ideally across multiple geographies.

Behavioural Competencies Required

• Strategic Agility: The Chief of Staff must anticipate future trends, connect dots across functions, and help the CPO navigate complex strategic decisions. This includes portfolio strategy, market dynamics, and innovation in pharma.
• Organizational Savvyness: This role requires navigating a matrixed organization, influencing without authority, and managing cross-functional relationships across R&D, TechOps, Commercial, and Corporate Strategy.
• Drives Results: The Chief of Staff is accountable for ensuring execution of strategic initiatives, managing operational priorities, and delivering outcomes aligned with the CPO’s goals.

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