Somerset, New Jersey, United States
Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR‑T), and natural killer (NK) cell‑based immunotherapy. From our three R D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting‑edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.
Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta‑cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Legend Biotech is seeking an Executive Director, Global Program Leader as part of the Research & Development team based in Somerset, NJ .
Role Overview
The Executive Director, Global Program Leader (GPL) is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for the overall development, execution, and governance of Legend Biotech's in vivo CAR‑T programs.
Reporting directly to the President of R&D, the GPL serves as the single point of accountability for leading cross‑functional teams to define and execute integrated global development strategies from IND enabling through clinical proof‑of‑concept, late‑stage development, registration, and lifecycle management. The GPL ensures alignment of program strategy, timelines, resources, and operational execution across Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Translational Sciences, Technical Development, Manufacturing, Commercial, Business Development, and other key functions.
The successful candidate will combine strong scientific and clinical development expertise with exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities to advance innovative in vivo CAR‑T therapies for patients worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner closely with Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs to design efficient development pathways that maximize speed to proof‑of‑concept, pivotal development, and global approvals.
- Guide critical regulatory interactions and major health authority milestones.
- Ensure readiness and alignment for INDs, CTAs, BLA/MAA submissions, and lifecycle management activities.
- Chair Global Program Teams and provide leadership across all functional areas involved in program execution.
- Foster effective collaboration among Research, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Biometrics, CMC, Quality, Manufacturing, Commercial, Finance, and Business Development.
- Drive cross‑functional problem‑solving and ensure timely resolution of strategic and operational risks.
- Establish clear governance processes, decision frameworks, and accountability mechanisms.
- Present program strategies, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and governance committees.
- Lead preparation of development scenarios, investment analyses, milestone recommendations, and portfolio reviews.
- Provide regular updates to senior management on program status, emerging opportunities, and critical risks.
- Ensure effective risk management and contingency planning throughout development.
- Represent Legend Biotech in interactions with external partners, collaborators, investigators, key opinion leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Support business development assessments, diligence activities, and partnership opportunities related to in vivo CAR‑T technologies.
- Serve as a scientific and strategic ambassador for Legend's in vivo CAR‑T platform.
- Build a high‑performance, patient‑focused, and collaborative program culture.
- Mentor and develop program management and cross‑functional team members.
- Champion innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across development teams.
Requirements
MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced scientific or medical degree required.
Advanced training in oncology, immunology, cell and gene therapy, hematology, or related disciplines preferred.
Minimum 10+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience in drug development.
Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience managing complex, global development programs.
Demonstrated success advancing biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, or other advanced therapeutic programs through clinical development.
Direct experience leading cross‑functional development teams in a matrix environment.
Experience supporting global regulatory interactions and major regulatory submissions.
Experience in oncology, immunology, cell therapy, gene therapy, or in vivo genetic medicines strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of global drug development, clinical development, and registration pathways.
Strong knowledge of cell and gene therapy development, including emerging in vivo CAR‑T technologies.
Exceptional strategic thinking and portfolio management capabilities.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions in complex environments.
Outstanding communication, presentation, and executive stakeholder management skills.
Strong business acumen, financial awareness, and risk‑management capabilities.
Proven ability to lead diverse global teams and achieve ambitious development goals.
Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast‑paced biotechnology environment.
The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.
Other Types of Pay: Performance‑based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one.
- We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment,
- a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays.
- Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance.
- We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
Pay Range (Base Pay):
$256,073 - $336,097 USD
Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.
It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.
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