Senior Director, New Product Planning

Location: Foster City

Department: Corporate Functions

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the SVP of Corporate Development and Strategy, the Senior Director, New Product Planning will help shape the company’s future portfolio by leading commercial strategy for pipeline assets, identifying lifecycle opportunities, evaluating external innovation, and helping define new areas for growth.

This individual will serve as the commercial strategy lead for pre-Phase 3 programs and partner closely with Research, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, US and International Commercial, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, and Finance to integrate scientific, clinical, commercial, and financial perspectives into key development and investment decisions.

The ideal candidate combines scientific depth with strong commercial judgment and strategic and financial acumen. A core aspect of the role is connecting science with strategy— to identify new indications, evaluate portfolio opportunities, and shape clinical development and investment decisions to align with unmet need, competitive landscape, and strategic value drivers. 

JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & External Innovation

• Lead commercial assessments of licensing, acquisition, and partnership opportunities, integrating scientific rationale, unmet need, clinical profile, competitive landscape, commercial potential, pricing and market access, and strategic fit.
• Conduct primary and secondary market research to develop patient-based forecasts, scenario analyses, and risk-adjusted valuations to support investment and transaction decisions.
• Partner with Business Development, R&D, Finance, and US and Global Commercial throughout opportunity evaluation and diligence.

 Pipeline & Lifecycle Strategy

• Serve as the commercial strategy lead on cross-functional product teams for pre-Phase 3 pipeline programs before transition
• Develop business cases and commercial strategies for pipeline assets, including indication prioritization, Target Product Profiles, patient segmentation, value story, competitive differentiation, market opportunity, and lifecycle planning.
• Partner with Research, Clinical Development, Market Access, and Medical Affairs to incorporate commercial considerations into development strategy, including patient populations, endpoints, comparators, and real-world / health economic evidence generation.
• Partner with US and Global Commercial leaders to incorporate perspectives from key markets and ensure effective transition of assets into late-stage commercial planning.

Portfolio & Corporate Strategy

• Evaluate new therapeutic areas and disease spaces by integrating disease biology, unmet need, competitive dynamics, development feasibility, and commercial potential.
• Shape portfolio and corporate strategy by identifying growth opportunities, strategic gaps, and priorities for investment and resource allocation.
• Own commercial assumptions that inform long range planning for all pre-Ph3 programs
• Monitor scientific, clinical, competitive, regulatory, and market developments and translate them into implications for product and portfolio strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education /Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, including significant experience in New Product Planning, Commercial Strategy, Portfolio Strategy, Business Development, Business Analytics, Marketing / Market Access, or related roles.
• Strong scientific acumen and demonstrated ability to understand disease biology, molecular pathways, mechanisms of action, and clinical data and translate them into commercial and development strategy.
• Experience shaping strategy for pipeline assets, preferably during early and mid-stage clinical development.
• Experience evaluating new indications, lifecycle opportunities, new therapeutic areas, and/or external innovation opportunities.
• Strong experience with commercial forecasting, primary and secondary market research, business cases, and asset valuation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Communicate complex scientific, clinical, and commercial concepts effectively to scientific experts and senior executives.

Preferred

• PhD or MD strongly preferred; other advanced scientific or medical degrees with relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience in rare disease and/or specialty therapeutics.
• Experience collaborating with global commercial teams and working across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Experience supporting licensing, acquisition, or other business development transactions.
• Experience presenting strategic recommendations to Executive Leadership and governance committees.

Key Competencies

• Scientific & Clinical Acumen
• Commercial & Product Strategy
• Pipeline & Lifecycle Strategy
• Forecasting & Valuation
• Business Development Assessment
• Portfolio & Corporate Strategy
• Strategic Decision-Making
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Executive Communication

The salary range for this position is $280,000 to $315,000 USD. Compensation will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to; skill set, years of experience, and the employee’s geographic location. Please note that the required compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits unless otherwise provided.

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