Program and Strategy Lead – Innovative Medicines

About the Role

Mankind Pharma, India’s 4th largest pharmaceutical company headquartered in Delhi, is expanding its innovative medicines portfolio across biologics and small-molecule programs.

We are seeking an experienced Program and Strategy Lead who will be responsible for planning and overseeing the development of various programs in the innovative medicines space, ensuring their timely completion, milestone development, external partnerships, alliance-building, and defining the strategic framework for innovation.

This position can be based in Delhi or Mumbai Office.

The successful candidate will work in a matrix environment and will monitor project progress, keep stakeholders informed, designate resources, set deadlines, and problem-solve and address key operational challenges. As this role is within a new initiative, the responsible person will be positioned to develop the long-term strategic plan for the group as well as innovation in general. In this senior leadership role, you will define and drive the global portfolio and other transformative therapies to patients.

Reporting to senior R&D leadership, you will work cross-functionally with discovery chemistry, biology, regulatory, commercial, and business development teams to translate scientific innovation at Mankind and its affiliates into differentiated medicines. You will play a key role in shaping Mankind’s external innovation agenda, building global collaborations and cost-effective development partnerships that expand the reach and impact of our innovative medicines R&D pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with management and project teams to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables across different programs.
• Develop comprehensive project plans outlining timelines, milestones, and key tasks.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams, including clinical and preclinical development groups and external partners.
• Work with project teams to identify resources needed to reach program objectives and manage resources effectively and efficiently.
• Provide regular project updates to stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely communication.
• Prepare and oversee project budgets, ensuring projects remain within financial parameters.
• Schedule, convene, and facilitate project work-group meetings; assign and follow up on action items.
• Manage contracts with vendors and suppliers by assigning tasks and communicating expected deliverables.
• As part of building the strategic framework, identify risks, work with teams to develop risk-mitigation plans, and escalate mitigation strategies as needed. Support building a portfolio of innovative medicines programs within Mankind’s matrix R&D structure.
• Contribute to in-licensing program due-diligence activities.
• Build a network of external partnerships and funding agencies to help develop collaborative programs and mobilize external funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with commercial, medical affairs, and market-access teams to ensure cross-connectivity across the broader enterprise.

Experience & Qualifications

• Master’s/M.Tech or PhD in biological, pharmaceutical, or related sciences.
• More than 10 years of experience in portfolio and strategy management in a large or mid-size organization.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to integrate scientific innovation, operational pragmatism, and commercial insight.
• Ability to develop new and unique ways to improve organizational operations and create new opportunities.
• Demonstrated success in building innovation teams in small-molecule or biologics spaces.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes and excellent stakeholder-management skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven problem-solving abilities with a strategic and analytical mindset.
• Experience in global public health, metabolic disorders, women’s health, oncology, or other therapeutic areas is ideal.
• Global mindset with willingness to travel internationally and engage regularly with India-based R&D teams in Mumbai and Delhi.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to shape the future of innovation within one of India’s fastest-growing global pharmaceutical companies. You will have a direct impact on developing Mankind Pharma’s next generation of breakthrough therapies—driving science from the bench to the bedside and broadening global patient access.