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Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us .
Director Protein Production and Quality Attributes (San Diego, California or Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
When you join BMS, you are joining a diverse, high-achieving team united by a common mission.
The Discovery Biotherapeutics team at BMS seeks to understand the structure and function of complex molecules such as bispecific antibodies, antibody drug conjugates and endogenous proteins in order to optimize their utility as therapeutic agents. We collaborate with biology and translational scientists imbedded in the Thematic Research Centers in order to prosecute Targets and Biological pathways with disease modifying potential. By using a blend of internal and external technologies and capabilities, we work to discover and deliver first-in-class as well as best-in-class molecules that warrant clinical evaluation for patient benefit.
Here, you’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities that are uncommon in scale and scope. You’ll pursue innovative ideas while advancing professionally alongside some of the brightest minds in biopharma.
As part of the Discovery Biotherapeutics team at BMS, the Director of Protein Production and Quality Attributes will play a key role in supporting the delivery of a first-in-class and best-in-class biotherapeutics pipeline. The incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of about 25 scientists across two BMS sites located in San Diego (CA) and Cambridge (MA). The primary responsibilities include managing a cross-site and cross-functional team focused on the production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies, multi-specifics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and other protein therapeutics using state-of-the-art technology and an industry-competitive DNA-to-protein production process. The Director role will be crucial in innovating and advancing Discovery Biotherapeutics function capabilities, supporting drug development initiatives, and ensuring the success of BMS’s research activities.
You will work in close collaboration with scientific leaders across the global Research organization and beyond (e.g., Biologics Drug Product/CMC teams) to deliver on our biologics pipeline. You must have a thorough understanding of biologics modalities production end-to-end (i.e., from cloning to purification and quality analyses) in high-throughput, mid, and large-scale settings, with documented experience of the requirements and processes needed to advance biologics programs (including novel formats) through discovery and into development. A proven track record of establishing and/or using cutting-edge protein cloning, production, and purification technologies to progress an innovative biologics pipeline is key.
Responsibilities:
- Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team (consisting of PhD and non-PhD scientists) dedicated to excellence in biologics cloning, production, purification with a focus on strategic goal setting and talent management.
- Apply deep scientific knowledge of protein production, concepts, and methodologies to deliver on biotherapeutics pipeline in alignment with Discovery Biotherapeutics, including being point person for interactions with CMC colleagues.
- Manage high-throughput, medium, and large-scale production of biologics end-to-end (i.e., from cloning to production, purification, and formulation).
- Advance cloning and purification platforms to produce and characterize monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, and ADCs.
- Apply protein structural and biophysical principles to optimize the production and manufacturability of therapeutic candidates.
- Identify and implement new technologies, applications, and external collaborations to support research goals including participating in licensing and technology evaluation of platforms as relate to the job function.
- Interface with technology providers to keep on par with industry leading protein cloning, production, purification, and manufacturability.
- Foster a continuous improvement mentality to drive platform development in terms of speed, quality, and robustness, ensuring global biologics remain aligned with industrial standards.
- Integrate analytical characterization data to optimize biologics production.
- Ensure clear communication among team members and across teams to foster a culture of proactive collaboration and engagement.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree with 15+ years of academic / industry experience
or
Master’s Degree with 12+ years of academic / industry experience
or
PhD with 8+ years of academic / industry experience with 6+ years leadership experience.
P referred Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related field
- 10+ years of increasing responsibilities and experience in protein cloning, production, purification, and quality analyses, preferably in an industry setting.
- Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, with the ability to effectively lead and manage teams.
- Strong strategic vision and experience in developing and executing strategic plans that align with organizational goals.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and propose innovative solutions.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively interact with cross-functional teams and stakeholders at all levels.
- Hands-on experience with CHO and other mammalian cells for mAb or recombinant protein production is a must.
- Experience in tech transfer, including drafting reports, protocols, and knowledge for process transfer.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully and efficiently coordinate multiple work streams and projects simultaneous.
- Track record of scientific publications and presentations at meetings, or authorship of patents and regulatory documents.
The starting compensation for this job is a range from $194,000 – $268,400 plus incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility). The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills and where the job is performed. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.
Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit our BMS Career Site.
Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.
If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as Transforming patients’ lives through science™ , every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
On-site Protocol
BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:
Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com . Visit careers.bms.com/ eeo -accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.
BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
