What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief of Staff/Head of Operations position at Ipsen?
Summary & Purpose Of The Position
The Chief of Staff /Head of Operations will serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Chief Product Officer (CPO). This role ensures alignment of priorities, drives execution of key initiatives, and fosters cross-functional collaboration to support the CPO’s vision and business objectives. Additionally, this role will work in conjunction with the Global Product and Portfolio Strategy (GPPS) organization on operational priorities and execution. The Chief of Staff/Head of Operations also serves as Secretary to the Global Business Operations Committee (GBOC), enabling governance and decision-making processes across the enterprise.
Main Responsibilities & Competencies
Strategy Leadership
Strategic Agility
The Chief of Staff must anticipate future trends, connect dots across functions, and help the CPO navigate complex strategic decisions. This includes portfolio strategy, market dynamics, and innovation in pharma.
Organizational Savvy
This role requires navigating a matrixed organization, influencing without authority, and managing cross-functional relationships across R&D, TechOps, Commercial, and Corporate Strategy.
Drives Results
The Chief of Staff is accountable for ensuring execution of strategic initiatives, managing operational priorities, and delivering outcomes aligned with the CPO’s goals.
Knowledge & Experience
Knowledge & Experience
The Chief of Staff /Head of Operations will serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Chief Product Officer (CPO). This role ensures alignment of priorities, drives execution of key initiatives, and fosters cross-functional collaboration to support the CPO’s vision and business objectives. Additionally, this role will work in conjunction with the Global Product and Portfolio Strategy (GPPS) organization on operational priorities and execution. The Chief of Staff/Head of Operations also serves as Secretary to the Global Business Operations Committee (GBOC), enabling governance and decision-making processes across the enterprise.
Main Responsibilities & Competencies
Strategy Leadership
- Ensure alignment with Ipsen’s Asset-Centric Model and its effective operations at different stages of the lifecycle
- Act as a strategic advisor to the CPO on topics including but not limited to assets in the current portfolio, external business development, and on performance management
- Support in review of long-term disease area and portfolio strategies, risks and opportunities
- Serve as Secretary to the Global Business Operations Committee (GBOC), enabling governance and enterprise-wide decision-making
- Lead high-impact initiatives including strategic/operational planning, change programs, and portfolio optimization.
- Coordinate the integration of acquired assets (as applicable) in collaboration with asset leads and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Work with the GPPS Leadership Team, driving clarity and alignment on priorities
- Manage the GPPS operations including strategic events, milestones, and key deliverables.
- Oversee execution of key initiatives, proactively resolving risks and issues.
- Support operational readiness and execution. As applicable, review, design, and execute operational improvements; define knowledge and skills gaps and help address them
- Lead development of business and operational reviews to senior executives
- Optimize GPPS Leadership Team meetings for strategic and operational focus
- Track and follow up on GPPS priorities and KPIs to ensure accountability.
- Promote key initiatives across the organization, amplifying impact through various functions.
- Foster collaboration and act as liaison across divisions (R&D, Commercial, Medical and others)
Strategic Agility
The Chief of Staff must anticipate future trends, connect dots across functions, and help the CPO navigate complex strategic decisions. This includes portfolio strategy, market dynamics, and innovation in pharma.
Organizational Savvy
This role requires navigating a matrixed organization, influencing without authority, and managing cross-functional relationships across R&D, TechOps, Commercial, and Corporate Strategy.
Drives Results
The Chief of Staff is accountable for ensuring execution of strategic initiatives, managing operational priorities, and delivering outcomes aligned with the CPO’s goals.
Knowledge & Experience
Knowledge & Experience
- Significant experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, with a successful track record in product strategy/pipeline management, business /P&L management, and/or R&D.
- Strong analytical and commercial/marketing skills
- Proven track record in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives within a global, matrixed organization.
- Experience in executive-level stakeholder management and presentation skills, including supporting C-suite leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational complexity and influence without formal authority.
- Experience in change management and transformation programs, ideally across multiple geographies.
- BS required, MBA of advanced degree (PhD, MD) highly preferred. With focus in Life Sciences, Public Health, Healthcare management or a related field.
- Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
- MBA or equivalent is highly preferred, especially with a focus on strategy, operations, or healthcare management.
- English
