Description

If you're a founder or exec at a growth-stage biotech or life sciences startup, you already know the problem: you've closed your funding round, your programmes are moving into the clinic — and your R&D organisation isn't built to keep up. Science is outpacing your delivery infrastructure.

That's exactly where I come in.

I'm a senior R&D Programme & Portfolio Management executive with 25+ years of experience at Roche, Novartis, and CSL Behring — where I built and led the PM functions that delivered three FDA- and EMA-approved drugs, cut cycle times by 30%, and upskilled 200+ project managers globally. Now I work with startups and growth-stage biotechs that need big-pharma rigour without big-pharma bureaucracy.

I operate as both strategic advisor and hands-on executor — meaning I don't just tell you what needs to be done, I sit alongside your team and help do it. Whether you need a Fractional Head of R&D PM, a governance framework designed from scratch, a portfolio operating model, or an AI-driven delivery system embedded into your workflows, I bring the full toolkit.

What I typically help startups with:

— Building R&D PM functions and governance from the ground up

— Designing stage-gate and portfolio decision frameworks fit for your stage

— Embedding AI/ML tools that actually improve delivery (not just pilots)

— Fractional or interim Head of R&D PM / Portfolio / Operations cover

— Programme rescue and acceleration when timelines are under pressure

— Coaching and developing your emerging PM team

My engagement model is flexible: fractional (2–3 days/week), project-based with defined deliverables, or full interim cover. Every engagement starts with a no-obligation 30-minute conversation to establish fit.

Breakthroughs aren't luck — they're led.

Domaines d’expertise

Langues

Anglais
Bilingue ou natif
Allemand
Notions

Préférences en matière de lieu de travail

Accepte de travailler sur site

Basel (jusqu’à 50 km)

CSL Behring AG
Exec Dir Research and Development Project Management
INDUSTRIE PHARMACEUTIQUE
janvier 2022 - Aujourd'hui (4 ans et 5 mois)
Bern, Suisse
As the functional head for both Research and Development PM, led the function through a "Reimagining" of PM Processes and Capabilities, resulting in a high impact group, valued by Snr Leaders. Led the PM RnD Data and Digital Strategy, which has already led to an increase in PM productivity. Introduced a more rigorous and robust planning robust (using Monte Carlo) which takes into account the uncertainty associated with programs, allowing for better decision at both the Project and Governance Levels. Established the CSL Project Management Academy, to support Project Managers in upskilling, to increase their value and impact.

Provide strategic leadership for the global team of Project Managers, who serve as core members of both Research and Development Project Teams. As functional head, responsible for ensuring the translation of molecule strategies into globally integrated development plans, fostering scenario planning and data-driven decision-making. Empower the organization to optimize critical paths and accelerate the most promising assets. I had the privilege of spearheading the teams that brought Andemry and Hemgenix—two paradigm-shifting therapies - to the market for CSL

Directed CSL’s R&D Pipeline Acceleration initiative, setting the foundation for ambitious clinical and project cycle time targets. Led the design and execution of Project Optima, a transformative effort aimed at halving the Research-to-Development cycle time.

Demonstrated strategic leadership as a key contributor to the establishment of CSL RnD Portfolio Management Organisation. Influenced enterprise-wide portfolio governance as a key contributor, aligning execution with strategic priorities.

Led the integration of both CSL Vifor and CSL Seqirus Project Management Functions (people, processes and systems) into a global unified RnD PM function
Strategic planning Change Management Coaching Project Management
Novartis Vaccines
Head of Development Operational Excellence
avril 2009 - décembre 2012 (3 ans et 8 mois)
Basel, Switzerland
Led a cross-functional Operational Excellence matrix team, identifying and implementing improvements across the entire value chain, using Lean-Six Sigma Methodology. Key successes included 1) Faster trial set up 2) reducing the time from the Last Patient in to BLA submission 3) automating SAE / AE reporting 4) reduced significantly the number oftemperature deviations during shipment of clinical trial material by > 90%. Developed a prioritization methodology that helped align the organization on the most impactful non-molecule projects. Chaired the monthly Operational Excellence Portfolio Review Meeting. Provided status reports to Head of Development and Divisional CEO on a quarterly basis. Deployed comprehensive set of KPIs, leading to an increase in operational accountability and business improvement.
Medigene AG
Associate Director, Project Management / Manager Regulatory Affairs
août 2001 - mars 2005 (3 ans et 7 mois)
Munich, Germany
Leading the Global Project Team (at MediGene) forVeregen®, which became the first FDA-approved biopharmaceutical ofa German biotech company in the USA.

Regulatory Program Manager for cancer drug Eligard®, which was MediGenes first ever drug approval.