Job Description Summary

Job Description

Opportunity: VP R&D Assay Development

We are the makers of possible

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

We believe that the human element, across our global teams, is what allows us to continually evolve. Join us and discover an environment in which you’ll be supported to learn, grow and become your best self. Become a makerof possible with us.

Role: VP R&D Assay Development

Segment: BD Life Sciences

Business: Diagnostic Solutions (DS)

Mandatory Location: Sparks, Maryland (hybrid)

Reporting: This VP role will report functionally to the VP R&D Diagnostic Solutions (DS) who is a direct report into BD’s EVP & CTO.

BD at a glance

BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. BD helps customers enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety, and expand access to health care.

BD consists of three segments: BD Medical (Transforming medication preparation and administration and creating better medical outcomes), BD Interventional (Empowering healthcare workers to reduce the incidence of surgical complications, improve patient outcomes in chronic disease and lower the total cost of care), and BD Life Sciences (Investing in transformative solutions around smart, connected, end-to-end workflows and collection and diagnostics).

Key BD Facts (FY’23)

$19.3B Revenue

Three segments: Medical ($9.5B), Interventional ($4.7B), Life Sciences ($5.1B)

40B+ devices made annually and 190+ countries served

$1B+ annual R&D investment and five global enterprise R&D centers of excellence

Our values: We do what is right; We thrive on innovation and demand quality; We are accountable; We learn and improve every day; We help each other be great.

BD Life Sciences is advancing the world of health™ “from Discovery to Diagnostics and Beyond” by investing in transformative solutions around smart, connected, end-to-end workflows and collection and diagnostics at new care settings, which will improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions and diseases. Our segment includes three business units:

Biosciences (BDB): Biosciences is built around our flow cytometry franchise, which now extends into single cell genomics. It is driving a deeper understanding of the human immune system and helping our customers unlock its power to fight life threatening diseases, including HIV and cancer.

Specimen Management (SM): Vison - Lead diagnostic collection and care for customers and patients around the world, transforming the preanalytical pathway. Focused on Specimen Acquisition and Lab Specimen Management

Diagnostic Solutions (DS): comprises our microbiology, point of care and molecular diagnostics businesses. We are focused on developing and delivering transformative, end-to-end solutions, ensuring our customers’ success in achieving improved laboratory performance and impacting clinical outcomes.

Job Description Summary

BD is searching for a highly experienced technology leader based in their Sparks, MD facility that will play a meaningful role in BD’s ambitious plans to grow its presence (technically/strategically) in the Worldwide IVD Diagnostics market, with a primary focus on development of Infectious Disease assays and laboratory workflow and applications.

The VP R&D Assay Development is responsible for leading and guiding the overall Assay R&D team of ~150 associates developing diagnostic assays to be practiced on BD’s suite of fully automated diagnostic platforms both existing and under development.

• The ideal candidate will possess deep experience in the Clinical IVD diagnostics technology space with a track record of recent development and launch of multiple novel molecular IVD assays into the worldwide market. An additional plus would be a strong foundation in basic clinical microbiology (and virology) and related assay development.

• The candidate will have a strong working understanding of diagnostic methods across the spectrum of IVD development, and will readily be able to span across all multiple technology spaces to lead/foster the conceptualization, creation, and development of novel inventive new assays for the clinical IVD market.

• The candidate will understand Diagnostic instrumentation technologies and will be well versed in developing and qualifying new assay products for clinical trials and regulatory clearance.

• Experience in reducing science and technology to a Lean factory-like approach to assay development is highly desirable.

Key Areas of Focus & Responsibilities

• Working with BD Diagnostic System’s Platform Leaders, peer R&D leaders in Systems & Software along with the Clinical/Medical and Regulatory Affairs functional leaders, to help derive and execute effective (winning) assay content strategy for BD’s IVD diagnostic platforms.

• The primary focus of the role is infectious disease assay development with an emphasis on molecular assay content, but also empowered to investigate other assay content spaces or partner with collaborators for assay development and generation of novel diagnostic assay content.

• Provide leadership, optimal staffing, and overall management of Assay R&D teams located at our Sparks, MD, Quebec City, CAN, San Diego, CA and other sites and partners. Recruit/Select best in class talent and leaders for key assay development capability. A capable assessor of talent, able to recruit and build excellence in technology and product development across the defined assay spectrum.

• Responsible for guiding BDDS’s assay development agenda, from an R&D best practice and execution point of view to accelerate the development of multiple IVD assays in parallel, working effectively both with internal teams and external partners.

• Assess/acquire technologies and novel assay content via partners, collaborators, IP licenses, etc. as core/integral components to enhance delivery of critical assays and capabilities across our platforms.

• Coordinate with Systems Development, to enable world-class IVD instrumentation and fully automated workflows and clinical performance. Similarly, coordinate closely with Scientific Affairs to enhance BD’s reputation as a leader in infectious disease.

• Coordinate product development objectives with peer functional leaders, especially in the Medical, Regulatory, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing and Marketing functions. 

• Perform strategic and technical assessment of external technologies at target companies for partnering and potential licensing and acquisitions.

• Must have deep experience in selecting, analytically characterizing, and optimizing complex biochemical amplification systems.

• The ideal incumbent will also possess deep clinical knowledge relating to Infectious Diseases (bacteriology/virology) and will be able to drive strategy creation on the creation of clinically and competitively relevant assays with the business leaders and platform teams. 

• The ideal candidate will have capability/experience and mentoring/coaching skills to develop BD’s next set of leaders in R&D. The ideal candidate will have the capability (learning agility) to grow into the next level of R&D Leadership within the BD Diagnostics Systems or the BD Life Sciences Segment within 3 years.

Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. preferred in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology. 

• The ideal candidate will have significant infectious disease clinical experience, to assure development of best in class, clinically relevant assays. 

• At least 10 years of applicable leadership experience in R&D with a passion for people development and demonstrated servant leadership.

• Has managed groups within an R&D organization developing IVD Assays, ideally with a focus on molecular diagnostics. Has demonstrated the ability to build high-performing teams. Has demonstrated knowledge of clinical evidence generation, and IVD regulatory guidelines. Is recognized as a solid team player in the industry. 

• Demonstrated track record of building effective strategic relationships with development partners to successfully co-create assay menu.

• Demonstrated strategic mindset to complement our business leaders on infectious assay strategy and is able to readily offer novel technology solutions to difficult business, platform, or technical problems. 

• Comfortable representing BD both from an assay and systems aspect in meetings, i.e. with FDA and other regulatory or medically related discussions with external parties. 

• The ideal candidate possesses a proven track record of developing high performing assay products and a strong record of accomplishment in the field. Ability to manage multiple organizations and assay research/development projects with clear articulation of prioritization of resources with focus on successful outcomes. 

BD Critical Leadership Capabilities

Collaborating and Influencing; Leading People; Strategic Thinking; Driving Results; Desired Outcomes

Fundamental Personal Characteristics

Lives BD’s Values; Agile Learner; Strong, Demonstrated Business Ethics; Servant Leader

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day.

You will work alongside inspirational leaders and colleagues who are equally passionate and committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-centered, and rewarding culture. You will have the opportunity to help shape the trajectory of BD while leaving a legacy at the same time.

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive. And find satisfaction in doing your part to make the world a better place.

Becton, Dickinson and Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, or any other protected status.

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At BD, we are strongly committed to investing in our associates—their well-being and development, and in providing rewards and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture. We demonstrate this commitment by offering a valuable, competitive package of compensation and benefits programs which you can learn more about on our Careers Site under Our Commitment to You.

Salary or hourly rate ranges have been implemented to reward associates fairly and competitively, as well as to support recognition of associates’ progress, ranging from entry level to experts in their field, and talent mobility. There are many factors, such as location, that contribute to the range displayed. The salary or hourly rate offered to a successful candidate is based on experience, education, skills, and any step rate pay system of the actual work location, as applicable to the role or position. Salary or hourly pay ranges may vary for Field-based and Remote roles.

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