Senior Director/Vice President, Program Team Leader, Neurology and Pipeline Assets

BlueRock Therapeutics, a wholly-owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a leading engineered cell therapy company pioneering a new generation of cellular medicines. Utilizing our proprietary CELL+GENE platform, we direct cellular differentiation and genetically engineer cells to create transformative therapies for patients suffering from neurological and ophthalmological diseases.

Founded in 2016, BlueRock is at the forefront of the convergence of cell biology and genetic engineering. Our mission is to harness pluripotent stem cell technology and gene editing to deliver authentic, functional cell therapies that address the root causes of disease and offer hope to millions of patients worldwide.

What Are We Doing?

Our foundational science enables the generation and directed differentiation of universal pluripotent stem cells into authentic, functional cells for allogeneic cellular therapies.

We are passionate about realizing the promise of cell and gene therapy, shaping the future of regenerative medicine, and delivering new therapies to patients with limited or no treatment options.

Who is BlueRock?

BlueRock Therapeutics, a wholly-owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a leading engineered cell therapy company pioneering a new generation of cellular medicines. Utilizing our proprietary platform, we direct cellular differentiation and genetically engineer cells to create transformative therapies for patients suffering from neurological and ophthalmological diseases. 

Founded in 2016, BlueRock is at the forefront of the convergence of cell biology and genetic engineering. Our mission is to harness pluripotent stem cell technology and gene editing to deliver authentic, functional cell therapies that address the root causes of disease and offer hope to millions of patients worldwide. 

The Opportunity 

The Senior Director/Vice President, Program Team Leader is the single point of accountability for the strategy, value creation, and delivery of a priority BlueRock asset. The initial assignment is expected to be our next-generation cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Asset responsibility will evolve with portfolio priorities. 

This leader will align senior functional experts around a clear asset vision, integrated development plan, and decisive path to execution. The role requires an accomplished drug developer who can operate credibly across science, technical operations, development, governance, and external stakeholders in a lean, matrixed environment. 

The role reports to the Chief Executive Officer until the program reaches an established transition point in late-stage development. 

Key Responsibilities 

Asset Strategy and Development 

• Own the integrated asset strategy, Target Product Profile, and development plan from IND-enabling work through proof of concept and beyond. 

• Integrate clinical, regulatory, CMC, nonclinical, safety, commercial, and evidence-generation strategies into a coherent value-creation plan. 

• Establish decision criteria, scenarios, and off-ramps that enable timely, evidence-based investment decisions. 

• Maintain a current view of the scientific, competitive, and market landscape and translate it into program implications. 

Cross-Functional Leadership and Delivery 

• Lead the cross-functional Program Team and create clear accountability for functional deliverables and overall program outcomes. 

• Drive prioritization, resolve barriers, and secure the resources required to meet critical milestones, including DA02 IND submission and first-in-human readiness. 

• Own the integrated timeline, budget, resource plan, and risk profile in partnership with Program Management and Finance. 

• Ensure compliant, inspection-ready execution with uncompromising standards for scientific rigor, ethics, quality, and patient safety. 
• Set a compelling asset strategy, align senior leaders without relying on formal authority, make high-quality decisions with uncertainty, and consistently convert plans into results for patients and the portfolio. 

Governance and Stakeholder Influence 

• Serve as the primary program voice to BlueRock executive and Board governance and to Bayer stakeholders, bringing clear, decision-oriented recommendations. 

• Represent the asset externally with health authorities, investigators, key opinion leaders, patient organizations, and partners, in collaboration with functional leaders. 

• Build alignment across BlueRock and Bayer and leverage partner capabilities where they accelerate program delivery and value. 

Portfolio Contribution 

• Contribute to portfolio strategy, capital allocation, long-range planning, and business development diligence. 

• Capture and transfer program learning, tools, and standards across the portfolio. 

Required Experience 

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD) or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 

• 12+ years of progressive biotech or pharmaceutical drug development experience across multiple functions and development stages. 

• 5+ years leading global cross-functional program, product, or asset teams with accountability for outcomes. 

• Demonstrated success advancing an asset through at least one major development transition, such as candidate selection to IND/CTA, first-in-human, proof of concept, or pivotal study initiation. 

• Deep understanding of end-to-end development and the interdependencies across research, CMC/technical operations, nonclinical, clinical, regulatory, safety, and commercial disciplines. 

• Direct development experience in neurology.

• Experience managing complex budgets, timelines, risks, and external development partners. 

Preferred Experience 

• Cell therapy, gene therapy, or other advanced therapy medicinal products, including allogeneic platforms. 

• Rare disease, orphan, or expedited regulatory pathways. 

• Surgically delivered or device-enabled therapies. 

• Operating within a large-pharma partnership or lean biotech that leverages partner capabilities. 

Equal Opportunity Workplace 

At BlueRock, we celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to providing accommodation for candidates with different abilities or other needs protected by human rights legislation during the recruitment process. 

Equal Opportunity Workplace: At BlueRock, we welcome and support differences and diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.  Please let us know if you require disability-related accommodation or other grounds protected by human rights legislation during the recruitment process so that we can work with you to meet your needs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.