Chief of Staff, Computational Center of Excellence (CoE)

The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche.

Advances in AI, data, and computational sciences are transforming drug discovery and development. Roche’s Research and Early Development organisations at Genentech (gRED) and Pharma (pRED) have demonstrated how these technologies accelerate R&D, leveraging data and novel computational models to drive impact. Seamless data sharing and access to models across gRED and pRED are essential to maximising these opportunities. The new Computational Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic, unified group whose goal is to harness this transformative power of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist our scientists in both pRED and gRED to deliver more innovative and transformative medicines for patients worldwide.

The Opportunity:

As a strategic leader within Roche’s Computational Center of Excellence (CoE), the Chief of Staff plays a critical role in shaping and driving the CoE’s vision, ensuring seamless execution of business strategy, and fostering cross-organizational collaboration. Reporting directly to the Head of CoE, this role acts as a key advisor and execution partner, enabling leadership effectiveness, driving strategic alignment across gRED and pRED, and enhancing the impact of computational sciences, data, analytics, and AI in drug discovery and development.

Strategic Partner

• Act as a thought partner and trusted advisor to the Head of CoE on business, organizational, and operational strategies.

• Organize and prioritize critical issues and required information for the Head of CoE to facilitate efficient decision-making.

• Partner with the Head of CoE and CoE LT in strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making.

• Manage SVP priorities and communications, ensuring efficient use of time and resources in advancing computational drug discovery goals

• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the Head of CoE and their leadership team for internal and external global stakeholders at executive levels and across affiliates.

• Drive cross-functional alignment across research, development, and computational teams in a timeline manner  to ensure effective implementation of data science and machine learning initiatives

• Lead special projects supporting SVP decision-making that require inputs from multiple research and computational disciplines

• Identify potential risks and opportunities in computational drug discovery initiatives, propose mitigation strategies, and monitor progress against key performance indicators

CoE Leadership Team (CoE LT) Management

• Manage CoE LT meetings, including preparing agendas, ensuring materials are sent in advance, time is well spent, and objectives are achieved. Provide guidance on meeting agendas for broader leadership meetings led by the Head of CoE.  Lead and/or facilitate productive debates on key business planning and organizationally relevant topics

• Ensure the SVP is well-prepared for internal and external meetings, including board meetings, scientific conferences, and partnership discussions

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies that align computational sciences initiatives with broader Genentech drug discovery objectives

• Maintain accurate confidential files and data records.

• Lead the planning of CoE LT offsites and events.

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across research, development, clinical, and external partnerships in the computational sciences ecosystem

• Facilitate communication and collaboration between computational sciences teams and other drug discovery functions, ensuring alignment on critical decisions

• Work with leadership in cascading computational sciences goals across the organization and ensuring alignment with overall drug discovery objectives

• Track and manage computational sciences projects delegated across the company to ensure timely completion and strategic alignment

• Build a strong network with other Chiefs of Staff across Genentech and Roche to facilitate execution of computational sciences initiatives

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning across computational sciences teams

Key Success Factors:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Head of CoE, leadership team, and others in the organization to advise and influence outcomes.

• Assist and communicate with executives in decision-making, program management, and initiative implementation.

• Understand long term strategic, big-picture priorities while managing the detailed execution of deliverables.

• Navigate ambiguous situations to unearth and address core issues or challenges.

• Independently lead and drive cross-functional initiatives, projects, or programs at a leadership level.

• Develop new approaches to address complex organizational challenges that impact CoE and beyond.

• Facilitate resolution of issues relating to projects, priorities, and team dynamics.

• Demonstrate creativity, independence, neutrality, and initiative in resolving issues.

Who you are:

• Advanced degree in computational sciences, data science, AI, biology, chemistry or a related field or equivalent experience desired.

• 10+ years in computational sciences, AI, data analytics, drug development, or life sciences industry.

• Proven ability to effectively partner with executive leaders in scientific/technical organizations.

• Highly skilled in strategic thinking, planning, and execution.

• Excellent written and verbal executive communication skills.

• Exceptional influencing skills and a consistent track record of driving strategic opportunities and problem-solving.

• Strong facilitation and problem-solving abilities, with a capacity to manage ambiguity.

• Experience in leading organizations and people through significant change and prioritization.

• Proven track record in all elements of people leadership—attraction, hiring, onboarding, development planning, performance management, coaching, and strategic talent evolution.

• Strong ability to communicate and influence across global, regional, and local cultures and business units.

• Ability to retain focus on long-term goals while addressing high-switching frequency for short-term actions.

• Knowledge of Genentech or Roche culture, systems, and organization is a plus.

Travel Requirement:

• ​This role requires up to 30-35% travel for meetings, conferences, and strategic engagements.

Relocation benefits are available for this job posting.

Benefits 

#ComputationCoE

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