The posting
Title:
Director Business Management CDO
Company:
Ipsen Biopharm Ltd
About Ipsen:
Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.
Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!
For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/ and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Job Description:
WHAT - Summary & Purpose of the Position
The Director, Business Management, Clinical Development Operations provides an integrated view of portfolio demand, workforce capacity, external-resource requirements, financial plans and operational performance across CDO. Reporting to the Head of Strategy & Operations and acting as a strategic partner to the CDO Leadership Team, the role enables evidence-based decisions on resource deployment, investment priorities and organisational capability.
The Director owns the CDO business management framework and resource-planning assumptions, including the resource algorithms used to translate portfolio demand into internal headcount and CRO/FSP requirements. Working with CDO functions, R&D Capacity Planning, Finance, Clinical Partnerships, Procurement and Portfolio Management, the role leads scenario planning, consolidated forecasting, budget oversight and executive performance reporting.
The role leads a team of approximately three Regional Business Managers who partner with CDO functions and Study, Site Management & Monitoring leadership to coordinate regional and functional resource and budget planning. Through clear governance, consistent data and forward-looking analyses, the Director identifies capacity, funding and delivery risks and provides actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
The Director also contributes to the effective operation of the Strategy & Operations team and supports key CDO leadership activities, including functional reviews, global townhalls and leadership forums.
WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies
1. Business Management Leadership
• Establish and lead a comprehensive CDO Business Management function supporting portfolio oversight, workforce planning, financial management, governance, and business performance.
• Develop and implement business management strategies that enable delivery of CDO and broader R&D objectives.
• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Head of Strategy and Ops and CDO Leadership Team on organizational planning, investment decisions, and resource allocation.
• Drive continuous improvement of business processes, governance models, and management reporting frameworks.
• Lead and coach a team of business management professionals where applicable and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
2. Portfolio Oversight & Strategic Planning
• Leveraging tools such as OnePlan and CDO insights, maintain an integrated view of the Clinical Development Operations portfolio across all therapeutic areas, development stages, and geographies.
• Partner with Portfolio Management and Development leadership to understand future portfolio scenarios and associated operational implications.
• Assess portfolio-driven demand and translate future study requirements into workforce and financial impact analyses.
• Lead scenario planning exercises to evaluate capacity, investment, and organizational risks associated with portfolio changes.
• Support governance forums by providing evidence-based analyses and recommendations that facilitate informed decision-making.
3. Resource Strategy, Capacity Planning & Workforce Management
• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise-grade workforce planning and resource management frameworks across CDO.
• Maintain oversight of global operational demand, workforce supply, utilization, productivity, and capacity trends.
• Partner with functional and country leaders to develop resource forecasts and mitigation strategies related to portfolio demand.
• Drive organizational resource planning processes and facilitate discussions regarding investment priorities and staffing requirements.
• Ensure consistency and transparency of workforce planning methodologies, assumptions, and reporting.
• Provide leadership visibility into future capacity needs, resource risks, and organizational constraints.
4. Financial Planning, Budget Management & Governance
• Lead development, monitoring, forecasting, and governance of CDO operational budgets.
• Partner with Finance to develop annual operating plans, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial projections.
• Provide oversight of departmental expenditures and ensure alignment with approved financial plans.
• Work with S&O Partnership team to develop appropriate Work Orders/Purchase Orders etc.
• Monitor budget performance and proactively identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Support business case development for strategic investments, organizational initiatives, and resource requests.
• Drive financial transparency and accountability across CDO functions and geographic operations.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and stewardship of organizational investments.
5. Business Intelligence, Performance Management & Analytics
• Partnering with Business Enablement and Compliance as well as Global Project Management establish and maintain executive-level dashboards, KPIs, and operational performance measures.
• Integrate portfolio, workforce, budget, and operational performance data into comprehensive management reporting.
• Generate actionable business insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Monitor organizational health and performance trends through meaningful metrics and predictive analyses.
• Lead development of management reporting packages for leadership/business reviews, governance bodies, and executive committees.
• Promote data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• Translate complex data into scenarios, recommendations and clear decision points for senior leaders.
6. Leadership Team & Organizational Support
• Serve as a member of the extended CDO Leadership Team and contribute to organizational strategy development.
• Support annual strategic planning exercises and operational reviews.
• Lead preparation of executive communications, business reviews, organizational updates, and leadership presentations.
• Coordinate business management activities across central functions and country monitoring organizations.
• Ensure alignment between operational priorities, workforce plans, budgets, and organizational goals.
7. Enterprise Partnership & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Act as the primary CDO business-management partner for Finance, Human Resources, Capacity Planning, Portfolio Management, Procurement, Quality, and other business functions relating to organizational planning and operations.
• Influence enterprise-wide initiatives impacting workforce planning, budgeting, business performance, and operating model evolution.
• Coordinate business-management activities across central functions, regions and Study, Site Management & Monitoring operations.
• Build strong partnerships across Research & Development and broader Ipsen functions.
• Ensure alignment between operational priorities, workforce plans, budgets and organisational goals.
• Lead strategic projects designed to enhance organizational effectiveness and operational performance
HOW - Behavioural Competencies Required
Excellence in Execution
• Approaches priority setting through the lens of execution
• Establishes clarity on goals, accountabilities, timelines, and next steps
• Focused and performance driven with clear KPIs
• Plans and aligns effectively (steps, resources, timelines)
• Displays commitment to best practice sharing
• Promotes single points of accountability The role integrates portfolio demand, workforce capacity, external resource requirements and financial plans across a complex global organisation. Success requires disciplined planning, clear accountability, robust governance and consistent follow-through.
Collaborates • Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Communicates and collaborates without boundaries
• Removes organizational barriers and supports continuous improvement
• Integrates learnings and demonstrates strong entrepreneurial mindset Success depends on deep partnership with Oncology, Neuro, Rare, V&A, Operations, IC, Finance, Communications, and Leadership to ensure aligned planning cycles, coordinated field operations, and a unified approach to commercial execution.
Business Insights • Makes decisions based on data, facts, and figures
• Considers different perspectives and the patients’ voice
• Translates insights into objectives and setting the bar The role leads budget oversight, financial analysis, variance monitoring, operational decision support, and cross BU planning—requiring strong analytical capability and the ability to turn data into clear, actionable operational and financial direction.
HOW - Knowledge & Experience
Knowledge & Experience (essential):
• Typically 10-12+ years of relevant experience in clinical development operations, R&D business operations, portfolio or capacity planning, financial planning or a related discipline, including significant experience in a global matrix organisation.
• Significant leadership experience supporting global R&D or Clinical Development organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading workforce planning and resource management processes.
• Extensive experience managing budgets, financial forecasting, and organizational investment planning.
• Strong understanding of clinical development operations and global study delivery models.
• Experience partnering with senior executives and influencing leadership decisions.
• Expertise in business performance management, reporting, analytics, and business intelligence.
• Track record leading complex cross-functional initiatives within a global matrix environment.
• Strong financial acumen and strategic planning capability.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
Education / Certifications (essential):
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience (University/college degree)
• Advanced degree preferred (MBA, MSc, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent).
Language(s) (essential):
• Fluent in English
#LI-MM1 #LI-hybrid
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported; where we embrace “The Real Us”. The value we place on different perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know. This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of your application.
