Senior Director – External Innovation, DPDS

Johnson & Johnson

Senior Director External Innovation at Johnson & Johnson leading external partnerships in drug discovery and development. Focusing on biologics and innovative medicines to improve patient outcomes.

Posted 7/9/2026full-timeSouth San Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $173,000 - $299,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

In partnership with your local synthetic modalities counterpart lead the WNA component of the advancement of external technological innovation within DPDS in alignment with strategy and in support of the vision of Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicines
Work closely with the rest of the Global DPDS EI team to bring innovation opportunities from the WNA region into a global view and help to assess the science to choose the best opportunities to move forward independent of geography
Present to senior stakeholders on science and technology explaining strategic alignment and acting as a champion whilst keeping a strong eye on the data to support an opportunity
Develop a broad and effective cross-functional network; build positive and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Act as the voice of J&J Innovative Medicine to external biotech companies, academic institutes and other external partners (conferences, partnering events etc) in the WNA region, talking eloquently about J&J priorities and presenting J&J as a preferred partner
In partnership with J&J Business development, External Scientific Innovation and Therapeutic Area stakeholders lead asset based due diligence for DPDS from a modality perspective, bringing together internal experts and driving decision enabling scientific risk assessments
Act as the ‘subject matter expert’ in deal teams to work closely with transactors and legal to turn scientific partnership opportunities into successfully executed contracts
Ensure Credo Values are demonstrated in all day-to-day interactions

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD and 10+ years of industrial drug discovery (or development) experience, or MS and 15+ years of industrial drug discovery (or development) experience required
Deep and demonstratable scientific expertise in biologic modalities, demonstrated by peer reviewed publications and patents, required
Concentration/Major in the following: Biochemistry, Cell/Molecular Biology or Pharmaceutical Sciences, preferred
Leadership skills as well as a demonstrable ability to think strategically and deliver on strategic objectives, required
Demonstratable experience as an end-to-end drug discovery project leader in the (bio)pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred
Business and transactions experience playing a scientific expert role but with a strong eye on the terms needed in a contract and good knowledge of IP provisions is strongly preferred
Experience with modern techniques such as AI/ML driven discovery, new high dimensional biology translational approaches etc would be an advantage
Proficiency in planning, proactivity, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently are required
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Well-developed intercultural social skills are highly valued.

Benefits

Comp & perks

An exciting leadership position in an international and dynamic environment with continuous learning and growth opportunities
An attractive remuneration package with multiple extralegal benefits
An inclusive team environment where diversity and different opinions are respected and valued, and the importance of a good work-life balance is recognized.

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Hard Skills & Tools

Drug DiscoveryBiochemistryCell BiologyMolecular BiologyPharmaceutical SciencesAI/ML Driven DiscoveryHigh Dimensional BiologyScientific Risk AssessmentContract NegotiationIntellectual Property Knowledge

Soft Skills

Leadership SkillsStrategic ThinkingProactivitySelf-MotivationIntercultural Social Skills