Scientific Director, Cancer Immunology - job 1 of 2

Working with Us
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. 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.

The Oncology Thematic Research Center at BMS is a key research engine, responsible for the discovery of novel oncology therapeutics for patients.  Centered at our state-of-the-art research sites in Cambridge and Seattle, scientists focus on novel targets and pathways for tumors that are refractory to current therapies.  With a deep understanding of the causal human biology, we are able to leverage our multiple modality platforms to best match the modality to the mechanism and desired therapeutic outcome.  We are a fully integrated drug discovery through translational and early clinical development organization which exploits state-of-the-art in vitro, in vivo and ex-vivo models of Cancer biology and Immuno-oncology to identify and validate targets.   We partner closely with colleagues in Translational Medicine, Informatics and Predictive Sciences and Early Clinical Development to generate biomarker and patient enrichment hypotheses to enable efficient decision making in early clinical trials.  We are optimally positioned to complement the world-class translational expertise, biology and leading academic research centers in the area.

Position Summary:

The Director of Cancer Immunology within the Oncology TRC at BMS will play a pivotal role in shaping the Cancer Immunology discovery strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the overall Oncology strategy. The successful candidate will be an expert in cancer immunology, leading a team of research scientists who collaborate across BMS sites and functional groups to drive programs from concept to IND. This role involves contributing to the strategic direction of the Cancer Immunology portfolio, making resource allocation decisions, and informing program Go/No-Go decisions. Strong leadership and mentorship skills are essential, as well as the ability to thrive in fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environments.

Position Responsibilities:

As the Director of Cancer Immunology within the Oncology TRC, the successful candidate will:

• Develop Discovery Strategy: Play a prominent role in creating the Cancer Immunology discovery strategy, aligning with key stakeholders in Oncology leadership, functional group leaders across the company, and external bodies. This includes crafting compelling arguments to support innovative ideas and programs while carefully balancing portfolio risk.

• Collaborate Across Sites and Groups: Work collaboratively with different sites across the organization and multiple functional groups to drive decisions on focus and resource allocation, ensuring the efficient delivery of the Cancer Immunology group’s objectives. Ensure that these objectives align with portfolio needs and the overall Oncology strategy.

• Strategic Direction and Decision-Making: Actively contribute to the strategic direction of the Cancer Immunology group, including recommending Go/No-Go decisions on all aspects of the portfolio, from early target ideation to advanced pre-clinical programs. Make strategic and program decisions and take appropriate actions with incomplete data sets and in the face of uncertainty.

• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as a credible, influential, and respected subject matter expert for Oncology Cancer Immunology, both internally and externally.

• Team Leadership and Culture: Create and sustain a high-performing and motivated team, fostering a culture of responsible innovation with integrity.

Experience =

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • 15+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Master’s Degree

  • 12+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences  

  • 8+ years of academic and / or industry experience

• 6+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Ph.D. or equivalent with 8+ years of relevant industry experience and 6+ years of leadership experience.

• Strategic Development: Experienced in developing and aligning with leadership on cancer immunology drug discovery strategy.

• Comprehensive Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of all functional areas of cancer immunology drug discovery, including cancer biology, immunology, biologics, translational research, and document preparation for regulatory health authorities. This includes an understanding of the impact of each of these areas on early and late-stage development.

• Track Record: Proven track record of developing immune oncology assets from target concept to IND. Expertise in deploying relevant in vitro and in vivo biological assays to drive biologics therapeutic discovery, characterization, and translation to the clinic.

• Analytical Skills: Skilled in critical thinking and scientific data analysis, offering guidance and data-driven recommendations. Proven ability to objectively evaluate complex and incomplete data sets to make informed decisions and take action amidst uncertainty.

• Innovative Thinking: Demonstration of resourceful and creative scientific thinking to identify paths to best-in-class therapeutics, evaluate novel first-in-class targets of interest in a competitive landscape, develop drugs on robust timelines, and manage risk in a portfolio.

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of leading and developing high-performing, cross-functional matrix teams (Ph.D. and non-Ph.D.).

• Talent Management: Demonstrated ability to attract and retain top talent, with a commitment to talent development and diversification.

This role requires a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of cancer immunology, a strategic mindset, and the ability to inspire and guide a team towards achieving groundbreaking advancements for patients with cancer.

The starting compensation for this job is a range from $231,910.00 - $281,000.00, 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.

#LI-Onsite

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 a supportive culture, promoting global participation 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 an 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.