Senior Director, Portfolio and Technology Strategy
- United States - Missouri - St. Louis - Chesterfield
- United States - Washington - Seattle
- United States - Massachusetts - Andover
ROLE SUMMARY
The Senior Director, Pilot Development, Portfolio Management, Technology & Regulatory Strategy is accountable for providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership across Bioprocess R&D’s non‑GMP pilot plants, portfolio management, and BRD’s regulatory and technology strategy. This role ensures that robust, scalable, and compliant drug substance processes, programs, and technologies are enabled efficiently from early development through clinical readiness.
The role serves as a single point of accountability for pilot‑scale execution, portfolio alignment, and integration of development technologies that support Pfizer’s biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapeutic modalities. The role is responsible for coordination and oversight of BRD projects, the point of contact to the BTxPS Portfolio group and the interface with the PSPTs. The lead will oversee BRD project forecasts and provide a single point of contact for a cohesive BRD portfolio perspective to BRD LT. The lead will also work with the lines and coordinate the overall Regulatory strategy for BRD and partner with GCMC as the point of contact.
Additionally, the role is responsible for coordination and oversight of BRD’s Technology Strategy, serving as a point of contact to the Pharm Sci Technology and Innovation line, and interface with the BTxPS Technology Council. This role will lead development and maintenance of a robust BRD Technology Roadmap for implementing BRD’s technology strategy. This role will provide a single point of contact for implementation of a cohesive BRD technology strategy in cooperation with BRD LT.
The role is global in scope and is a core member of the Bioprocess R&D Leadership Team, partnering closely with Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Global Supply, Regulatory, Digital, and external collaborators.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead portfolio operations across BRD ensuring alignment of development priorities, pilot capacity, resources, timelines, and execution risk across programs.
- Design and implement metric driven portfolio tracking systems to allow rapid and flexible adjustments to resource allocations according to project prioritizations. The Lead will collaborate with BRD clinical MFG and the BRD LT in the scheduling and prioritization of projects in the non-GMP and GMP pilot plants to deliver the portfolio.
- Serve as the primary contact to BTxPS Portfolio group, ensuring that information on new projects and technologies and changes to on-going projects is transferred into BRD in a timely manner. Work with ARD and PhRD portfolio groups to coordinate project initiations at PICM/PPMT and overall project progression through periodic touchpoints
- Work with the BRD LT to manage new BRD rep assignments; triage project issues for prioritization of BRD LT resources on key issues; facilitate forum for strategic input from BRD LT on portfolio
- Provide a mature and experienced perspective on portfolio tracking, project issues, and prioritization to ensure robust oversight and communication of project milestones, deliverables and issues.
- Provide strategic and technical leadership for non‑GMP pilot plants, enabling effective scale‑up, process characterization, and delivery of drug substance for pre‑clinical and clinical studies.
- Oversee pilot plant readiness, including equipment strategy, maintenance and turnaround, media and buffer support, and inventory management across sites.
- Provide strategic leadership for BRD technology strategy, ensuring technology choices support portfolio priorities, scalability, regulatory readiness, and future manufacturing translation.
- Define and steward the BRD technology roadmap in partnership with Pfizer Global Supply and Digital, including evaluation and deployment of emerging platforms, automation, analytics, and digital enablers.
- Serve as the primary contact to BTxPS technology council, ensuring alignment, visibility, and follow‑through on BRD technology initiatives by tracking projects proposals, coordinating funding requests and investment decisions through the PSTC
- Develop and implement work plans and strategies in response to new BRD technology initiatives, and mentor BRD staff in pursuit of BRD’s technology strategy.
- Serve as a point of contact with PGS for BRD initiatives relating to new technologies, technology transfer, and business practices.
- Oversee BRD legal agreements, external partnerships, and sponsorships by coordinating execution and tracking NDAs, CDAs, MTAs, and collaboration agreements, ensuring timely progress, compliance, and portfolio‑level visibility
- Leverage exposure to continuously benchmark company’s technology position and perspective against emerging technologies in the industry. Integrate learnings from external influences back into BRD.
- Ensure regulatory considerations are embedded early in development, scale‑up, and technology decisions, in partnership with Regulatory CMC colleagues.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biology, or related field with a minimum of 12+ years of relevant experience in biopharmaceutical development or manufacturing, or Ph.D. with a minimum of 7+ years of experience.
- Proven experience leading and managing direct reports
- Extensive experience/knowledge in process development, pilot‑scale operations, and portfolio enablement for biologics and advanced therapeutic modalities.
- Demonstrated leadership of complex, multi‑disciplinary, multi‑site organizations in a matrixed environment.
- Deep understanding of GLP/GMP principles, regulatory guidance, and CMC development expectations.
- Proven ability to make strategic decisions balancing technical rigor, portfolio priorities, and execution speed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading portfolio planning, governance, or development operations for a complex biologics pipeline
- Experience advancing novel development or manufacturing technologies into clinical programs.
- Strong track record of cross‑functional influence across Research, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Digital organizations.
- Experience working with or transitioning programs to commercial manufacturing organizations.
- Experience managing external collaborations, consortia, or strategic partnerships related to process or technology innovation.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work effectively in office, laboratory, and pilot‑plant environments.
- Ability to evaluate and integrate complex technical, operational, and portfolio information to make strategic decisions.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- 15-20% travel required to other sites, manufacturing facilities, and partner locations; LT meetings etc.
- Periodic off‑hours support aligned with critical development or operational milestones.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
- BRD Leadership Team
- Pharmaceutical Sciences technical lines (ARD, PhRD)
- Portfolio strategy group (BPS)
- Biomedicine design (BMD)
- Pfizer Global Supply (PGS)
- Regulatory CMC
- Transformational Technology (TTDS)
- External technology partners and consortia
Supervision
- Role will require supervision of direct reports who maybe individual contributors and/or people leader.Matrix responsibility – will work with all BRD technical lines and SMEs in a matrix capacity
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Sunshine Act
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EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
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Research and Development
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Pfizer Research & Development
Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we use a multidisciplinary approach that blends scientific expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic collaborations, igniting a powerful engine that propels groundbreaking discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients in need.
Through our relentless pursuit of progress, we envision a future where cutting-edge medicines pave the way to healthier, happier lives worldwide.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)