Head of Viral Vector Process Development

About the Role This role is accountable for end-to-end viral vector development, from construct design through clinical and commercial manufacturing support, and serves as a key partner across Research, Product Teams, Technical Operations, and Analytical functions. The leader will balance deep technical expertise with executive-level influence, ensuring robust, scalable vector platforms while building a high-performing organization capable of supporting both ex vivo and emerging in vivo applications. What You'll Do

• Accountable for technical strategy for viral vector platforms across clinical and commercial scale, including complex tech transfers, external manufacturing partnerships, and late‑stage manufacturing readiness.
• Provide deep expertise in lentiviral vector (LVV) design, including construct architecture, promoter selection, and transgene optimization.
• Lead viral vector process development, including: Upstream production systems (transient and stable) and downstream purification and recovery operations.
• Drive process scale-up and technology transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites (internal and external).
• Oversee LVV life cycle management and manufacturing support capabilities.
• Lead initiatives to improve viral vector productivity, robustness, and cost of goods.
• Advance next-generation capabilities, including: In vivo viral vector development; platform innovations and emerging delivery technologies.
• Cross-Functional & Product Development Leadership: Ensure viral vector development decisions are optimized across the full cell therapy value chain, from transduction efficiency and cell performance to manufacturing robustness and CMC sustainability. Provide strategic leadership for viral vector on cross-functional Product Teams. Partner closely with Research to translate early concepts into developable and scalable vector designs; T cell process development to align vector performance with cellular outcomes; Analytical development to ensure appropriate characterization and quality attributes.