EU Head of Network Strategy

Find your purpose

R&D Project Management Organisation

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos, a biotechnology company with operations in Europe and the U.S. dedicated to developing transformational medicines for more years of life and quality of life.

Focusing on high unmet medical needs, we synergize compelling science, technology, and collaborative approaches to create a deep pipeline of best-in-class cell therapies in oncology. With capabilities from lab to patient, including a decentralized manufacturing network, we are committed to challenging the status quo and delivering results for our patients, employees and shareholders.

We are looking for an EU Head of Network Strategy – Leiden, NL

Scope of the job

The EU Head of Network Strategy is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to identify, select, and optimize our network of DMUs (Decentralized Manufacturing Units) and CTS (Clinical Trial Sites) in the European Union. This includes considering factors such as demand, capacity, risk, cost-effectiveness, location, logistics, and technology.

Additionally, you will prioritize and select the right DMUs and CTS to support our business needs for product development and commercial success. You will also forecast and monitor demand and key performance metrics to ensure a proper balance between supply and demand.

Your role

• Strategy Development:
  Create and implement strategies to build and optimize our DMU and CTS network. This includes selecting the right sites based on capacity, demand, cost, location, logistics, technology, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) and PIs.

• Onboarding:
  Set priorities and support efficient onboarding of DMU and CTS sites based on business priorities and resource availability. Collaborate with Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, Medical affairs teams on CTS engagement, assessment and onboarding, and work with TechOps and Quality and other internal stakeholders on DMU engagement selection, feasibility, and negotiation.

• Performance Monitoring:

  Establish network specific supply and demand forecasts by analyzing past performance and leveraging site input and clinical trends. Work with functions to build and improve long-term plans and incorporate them in the overall timelines of our programs.

• Customer Insights:
  Build and strengthen relationships with hospitals, CAR-T therapy leaders, apheresis providers, and other key partners. Understand their needs, strategies, and potential fit within our network. Similarly, with TechOps, work on building strategic relationships and strengthen current relationships with CDMOs, blood centers, cel and tissue banks. Connect with candidate DMUs to understand their capabilities and potential fit into our decentralized manufacturing network,

• Risk & Opportunity Assessment:
  Evaluate CTS and DMU sites and build profiles based on historical and expected demand, competition from other products or studies, study performance, PI/KOL profiles and other relevant data. Assess DMU and CTS risk profiles and identify potential bottlenecks and develop proactive solutions for supply and demand issues or other potential challenges based on experience, audit findings, and other data points.

• Collaboration:
  Work closely with teams across TechOps, ClinOps, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing, and Quality to select and onboard sites, manage accounts, and support contracting.

• Continuous Improvement:
  Working closely with CTS and DMU facing roles, monitor and identify areas for improvement based on site performance, challenges, and market trends. Work with these functions to update our strategies and processes to optimize efficiency and (cost-) effectiveness. Stay ahead of competitive activity and regulatory changes, recommending proactive actions.

Job requirements

Who are you?

• BS in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, (biomedical) engineering, nursing or related field

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experiences. Preferred 5 or more years experience in cell therapy clinical research and/or manufacturing roles.

• Experience in both strategy development and tactical execution - taking an ambiguous concept, developing actions, and driving to completion.

• Demonstrated excellence in project management preferably projects spanning multiple functions.

• Business and financial acumen.

• Strong influencing and relationship building skills to effectively manage stakeholder expectations and align on strategic priorities. Skilled in contract negotiations.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to develop presentation content and speaking points for a wide range of audiences.

What’s in it for you?

At Galapagos, we prioritize your continuous growth and development, fostering a culture of empowerment. Our employees are the driving force behind our mission to lead pharmaceutical research and innovation.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a supportive work environment with strong focus on your health and well-being. Join us in our journey towards sustainability, as we strive to make a lasting impact on both the industry and the planet.

We are Galapagos: together we can make it happen…!

Galapagos is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, considering qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements. We strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or job applicant based on personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job.

Get to know us

We’re in the business of changing lives. In our quest to discover, develop and deliver life-improving medicines, we go where no one has ever gone before.