Senior Director, Head of R&D Resource Management

Brief Description

The Senior Director, Head of R&D Resource Management is a strategic leader accountable for defining, scaling, and institutionalizing the global R&D Resource Management vision, strategy, and operating model. This role bridges global Research &Development (R&D) functional lines, drug development project teams, corporate finance, and executive governance committees to ensure optimal allocation of resources and strategic alignment across the therapeutic portfolio.

The incumbent will serve as a transformative leader in leveraging cutting-edge analytics, enterprise algorithmic forecasting, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform resource demand forecasting into predictive, data-driven insights. By deploying modern methodologies, including advanced Planisware algorithm design and next-generation Named Allocation workforce planning tools, this leader will establish on-demand data trust, drive functional capacity utilization, and guide executive decision-making across all stages of pharmaceutical development.

Key & Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic Resource Management & Operating Model Leadership

• Define & Execute Strategy: Formulate and lead the multi-year strategic vision, roadmap, and operating standards for Resource Management across Research, and Development functions.
• Integrated Working Model: Establish and maintain an integrated operational working model connecting Functional Line Management, Global Program Teams (GPTs), R&D Finance, and Governance Committees.
• Governance Alignment: Serve as the core authoritative voice for functional capacity, demand trade-offs, and resource bottleneck resolutions during quarterly portfolio reviews, Annual Operating Plans (AOP), and Long-Range Plans (LRP).

Advanced Analytics, AI & Algorithmic Forecasting

• AI & Predictive FTE Forecasting: Lead the strategic application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models to enhance Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) demand forecasting accuracy based on historical effort, trial complexities, and portfolio velocity.
• Planisware Algorithm Optimization: Oversee the architectural design, calibration, and optimization of Planisware algorithms and resource driver models to dynamically estimate workload based on clinical stage, drug modality, and operational complexity.
• Data Integrity & Functional Trust: Build absolute trust and confidence with functional heads through transparent baseline metrics, standardized benchmarking, automated validation checks, and on-demand data access.

Workforce Planning & Tool Deployment

• Named Allocation Leadership: Sponsor and roll out next-generation workforce management software, specifically leading the deployment of Named Allocation tools to transition the organization from generic FTE estimations to role- and individual-level workforce planning.
• Workload Balancing & Bottleneck Resolution: Manage a team that proactively analyzes resource supply versus demand across therapeutic areas to identify functional constraints, skills shortages, and burn-out risks, partnering with functions.

Portfolio Reporting & Analytics Leadership

• Enterprise Reporting Suite: Own the strategy, design, and delivery of all global R&D resource analytics, dynamic dashboards, executive scorecard metrics, and enterprise portfolio reporting.
• Scenario Planning & Options Analysis: Lead quantitative scenario modeling for portfolio prioritization, operational trade-off analyses, budget cuts, pipeline expansions, and business development integration.
• Actuals vs. Forecast Analysis: Establish robust processes for capturing timecard/effort actuals and analyzing variance against original forecasts to drive continuous model refinement.

Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management

• Executive Influencing: Partner with and influence Functional Vice Presidents, Global Program Leaders, and Finance Directors to drive consensus on resource priorities and strategic resource investments.
• Team Leadership & Capability Building: Direct and mentor a team of Resource Management specialists and analytical experts, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, customer focus, and operational excellence.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Domain & Technical Expertise

• Deep conceptual and operational understanding of drug discovery, preclinical, clinical trial execution, regulatory submission, and commercialization lifecycles.
• Mastery of Planisware enterprise portfolio management software, including algorithm customization, resource driver setup, workload curve modeling, and system integration.
• Demonstrated mastery of quantitative business analytics, data visualization platforms (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau), statistical analysis, and practical implementation of AI/ML predictive tools in resource planning.
• Hands-on leadership in implementing Named Allocation, capacity planning, and resource management modules within enterprise systems (e.g., Planisware, Anaplan, or Workday).

Strategic Leadership & Soft Skills

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills with a proven track record of synthesizing complex resource analytics into clear strategic options for senior executive audiences.
• Strong change management capabilities, capable of building trust, driving cross-functional process alignment, and transitioning organizational culture toward data-driven decision-making.
• Superior ability to navigate matrixed global organizations and build collaborative bridges between technical scientists, operational leads, financial controllers, and executive leaders.

Educational Requirements & Professional Experience

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Operations Research, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Preferred: Advanced Degree (Master’s, MBA, or Ph.D.) strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical/biotechnology R&D, life sciences management consulting, or clinical operations management.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of dedicated, hands-on leadership in enterprise Resource Management, Portfolio Analytics, or Capacity Planning within a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical enterprise.
• Proven track record of architecting and deploying enterprise-wide resource management software (Planisware experience required).
• Demonstrated experience participating in and driving executive governance meetings, budget prioritization exercises, and multi-year corporate planning cycles.

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