Associate Director MSAT

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos, a dynamic growing Biotech company with offices across Europe and in US, headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium. 

We are in the business of changing lives. Focusing on high unmet medical needs, we synergize compelling science, technology, and collaborative approaches to create a deep pipeline of best-in-class medicines. With capabilities from lab to patient, including a decentralized cell therapy manufacturing platform, we are committed to challenging the status quo and delivering results for our patients, employees and shareholders. Our goal is not just to meet current medical needs but to anticipate and shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that our innovations reach those who need them most.

We pioneer for patients. We need thought leaders and rapid thinkers, entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo-fighters. Collaborative innovators and perseverant idealists. We need the best-in-class. In other words, we need you: The ‘make-it-happener’.

Scope of the job

We are looking for an Associate Director Global Manufacturing Sciences and Technology (MSAT). As our MSAT team is based in Leiden, the Netherlands, you are ideally based near Leiden. This position will be offered as a 6-month Galapagos contract.

You are an experienced people leader who collaborates with a team of (senior) process engineers to drive CAR-T and TCR-T processes/products from early clinical stage through pivotal/commercial readiness with a focus on technology transfer and manufacturing support.

Your role

• Lead and mentor a team of experienced process engineers within the Global MSAT team

• Lead workstreams and provide guidance to the process engineers related to the technology transfer, GMP manufacturing and pivotal and commercial readiness

• Oversee and manage the implementation of changes within the decentralized manufacturing network in close collaboration with the regional operational teams

• Provide technical expertise and guidance to optimize manufacturing procedures and progress towards commercial readiness of the decentralized CAR-T manufacturing platform

• Build trust and foster positive relationships with the teams and key Regional Manufacturing, CMC, QA and RA stakeholders to create a supportive and collaborative work environment

• Ensure close collaboration with leadership to establish clear workstreams and efficiency

• Promote a continuous improvement mindset to identify and implement improvements in the cell therapy processes and procedures, including process/product change controls and automation/digitalization

• Ensure compliance with relevant quality and regulatory requirements

In this role, you will report directly to the Head of Global MSAT.

Who are you?

• MSc/PhD degree in life sciences, biotechnology, or related discipline

• 10+ year relevant work experience

• Proven leadership experience, preferably having managed a team of engineers

• Experience with clinical manufacturing, process validation for cell therapy/biologics processes, GMP manufacturing and technology transfers

• Strong understanding of GMP regulations and experience regulatory submissions (IND, IMPD, BLA, MAA)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across different functions and geographies

• Strategic mindset with the ability to drive initiatives from conception to implementation

• Ability to be flexible with changing priorities

• Result-driven and can-do mindset, without compromising quality and compliance

• Good interpersonal skills and written and spoken fluency in English

What’s in it for you?

At Galapagos, we prioritize your continuous growth and development, fostering a culture of empowerment. Our employees are the driving force behind our mission to lead in pharmaceutical research and innovation.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a supportive work environment with strong focus on your health and well-being. Join us in our journey towards sustainability, as we strive to make a lasting impact on both the industry and the planet.

Galapagos is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, considering qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements. We strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or job applicant based on personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job.

We are Galapagos: together we can make it happen…!