Head of Technical Development R&D China Biologics Node

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The Position

Position Overview

As Head of PTR&D Biologics China, you will serve as a strategic leader and global citizen, establishing Roche's technical development capabilities for biologics in China. This is a highly visible, enterprise-impact role that bridges global portfolio strategy with on-the-ground execution. You will lead the buildout and optimization of PTR&Dbiologics capabilities to support up to 20 early-phase development projects by 2030. Functioning as a local expert and global ambassador, you will champion portfolio-centric thinking and drive operational excellence.You are responsible to impact portfolios using a combination of their technical, business, and biologic drug development expertise in project teams, as well as drive for technical innovation, training and standardization, and development/management of analytics tools supporting the overall PTR&D Biologics/Cell Gene therapy mission.

As a member of the PD China Leadership Team, you will collaborate closely with regulatory, quality, CDMO, and SHE partners to establish integrated, end-to-end CMC strategies that accelerate time-to-clinic while maintaining Roche's quality and innovation standards.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Leadership & Strategy

• Establish Portfolio Strategy & Vision: Partner with global PTDA leadership and China PT stakeholders to define the CMC development strategy for early-phase biologics/CGT projects in China, ensuring alignment with One Pharma Strategy and R&D Excellence objectives.
• Optimize Portfolio Performance: Design and implement performance management tools and KPIs (e.g., CMC pipeline delivery, project timelines, capability maturity) to track critical milestones, drive productivity, and ensure right-first-time outcomes across the growing portfolio.
• Enable Executive Decision-Making: Deliver actionable portfolio insights to China PT leadership and global Biologics executives, supporting strategic trade-offs and optimal resource allocation aligned with business priorities.

Team Development & Empowerment

• Build High-Performing Leadership Team: Recruit, onboard, coach, and develop the Bioprocess Lead, Analytical Development Lead, and Formulation Lead—ensuring each brings both strong technical expertise and demonstrated people leadership capability to run early-phase projects independently.
• Foster a Culture of Excellence: Create an environment where team members actively influence decisions, take ownership of projects, and grow as strategic thought partners to biologics leadership. Champion professional development through stretch assignments, peer coaching, and clear succession planning.
• Strengthen Capabilities: Identify capability gaps and drive continuous improvement in project management, CMC governance, risk management, and innovation—leveraging global best practices and tailoring to China's regulatory and operational context.

Global Collaboration & Citizenship

• Bridge Global and Local: Translate global CMC strategies, governance frameworks, and innovations into actionable China-specific execution plans. Serve as the trusted link between global PTDM initiatives (AI/digital innovation, strategic roadmaps, governance enhancement) and on-the-ground China implementation.
• Champion Global Initiatives Locally: Actively participate in global PTDM strategy forums and strategic initiatives. Identify opportunities to pilot, adapt, and scale global innovations in China, becoming a thought leader across the enterprise.
• Integrate with China PT Leadership: Work closely with regulatory, quality, CDMO, and SHE partners to ensure CMC strategies are fully integrated with broader PT China objectives, lifecycle management, and patient value creation.
• Navigate Matrixed Relationships: Effectively collaborate across global and local functional structures, managing dependencies, fostering transparency, and driving aligned execution despite geographic and organizational complexity.

Operational Excellence

• Champion Disciplined Execution: Establish and institutionalize rigorous project management disciplines, proactive risk mitigation, and optimal resource utilization to ensure successful project delivery and accelerated speed-to-clinic.
• Sponsor Strategic Innovation: Lead or sponsor strategic initiatives—such as AI-driven portfolio analytics, digital project management tools, and enhanced CMC governance frameworks—to advance PTD capabilities and decision-making in China.
• Build for the Future: Develop robust talent pipelines and succession plans to ensure sustained organizational capability and readiness for growth to 15 FTEs by 2030.

Stakeholder Integration

• Drive Integration: Actively participate as a core member of the PT China Leadership Team (including P&C, regulatory, quality, CDMO, SHE representatives) to co-create integrated solutions and break functional silos.
• Manage Key Partnerships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with global biologics heads, China PT leadership, gRED/pRED project and lifecycle teams, and external partners (e.g., CDMOs, regulatory consultants).
• Support Lifecycle Management: Ensure CMC activities are fully integrated with project and lifecycle team strategies, serving as a technical partner in the full drug development lifecycle.

Who You Are

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in biologic science, engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree (PhD, MS, MBA) strongly preferred.
• Industry Background: 15+ years in biotech/pharma with 8+ years of direct biologics CMC project leadership and development experience (covering process development, analytical, formulation, or integrated portfolio roles).
• Leadership: 5+ years leading biologics technical or project management functions with proven ability to establish and scale capabilities across functions and geographies.
• Global Experience: Demonstrated experience working in or leading teams across multiple geographies with successful track record of bridging global and local contexts.

Core Competencies & Attributes

• Strategic & Enterprise Mindset
  • Ability to link strategy to operational execution.
  • End-to-end CMC development knowledge.

• Strategic portfolio and project management expertise with ability to link strategy to operational execution
• End-to-end CMC development knowledge (from discovery through early clinical development)
• Strong understanding of drug development, biologics process development, and competitive landscape
• Experience with portfolio analytics, governance frameworks, and lifecycle management

• Global Citizen & Cultural Bridge

• Proven ability to function as both a global expert and local operator—translating enterprise initiatives into local context while driving global excellence standards
• Cross-cultural competence with ability to navigate complex organizational structures, build trust across geographies, and foster aligned execution
• Curiosity about diverse perspectives and proven ability to learn and adapt in new markets
• Language capability: Fluent in English; Mandarin Chinese strongly preferred

• Leadership & Collaboration

• Cross-functional leadership capability with demonstrated success navigating matrixed organizations
• Strong coaching and people development skills; track record of elevating talent and fostering career growth
• Collaborative mindset with proven ability to build partnerships, foster open dialogue, and break functional silos
• Transparent, strategic communicator with demonstrated ability to influence executive-level stakeholders

• Analytical & Data-Driven

• Strong analytical acumen with ability to transform complex data into actionable insights
• Experience with project management tools, portfolio analytics platforms, and process optimization
• Disciplined, process-oriented approach to operational excellence and risk management

• Learning Orientation & Innovation

• Intentional learner who actively seeks feedback and continuously upgrades expertise
• Passion for innovation and improvement; comfortable championing new approaches (e.g., agile methodologies, digital tools, AI-driven analytics)
• Growth-oriented mindset with commitment to developing organizational capabilities

• Domain Expertise - Biologics

• Deep understanding of biologics CMC development (e.g., cell culture, purification, analytical characterization, formulation, manufacturing processes)
• Experience with regulatory requirements for biologics in China and other regulated markets
• Familiarity with CDMOs, manufacturing partners, and outsourced development models

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.