The Role
Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.
As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.
Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.
Moderna's mission is to establish a leading-edge research, development, and manufacturing facility at Harwell, as part of a long-term commitment to onshore mRNA vaccine production for respiratory diseases. This initiative will create a multitude of highly skilled jobs and foster collaboration with academic, NHS and government partners across the UK. We're looking for global experts eager to join us in this endeavour, contributing to a future where access to life-saving vaccines is a reality for all.
This is a dynamic opportunity for a driven individual to shape and elevate Moderna’s R&D presence across the UK and Canada. As Associate Director of R&D Partnerships, you will be instrumental in expanding our mRNA thought leadership footprint and optimizing our R&D strategic reporting. You will work closely with Moderna leaders across multiple geographies, manage critical relationships with government stakeholders and ecosystem collaborators, and help deliver high-impact projects aligned with our mission. Your role will involve orchestrating sophisticated internal and external reporting, cultivating alliances, and leading transformation efforts that enhance Moderna’s R&D delivery locally and globally. This is a high-autonomy position that calls for scientific depth, sharp organizational skill, and the mindset of a hands-on innovator.
Here's What You’ll Do
Your key responsibilities will be:
- Own the development and execution of R&D reporting and deliverables for the UK and Canada, ensuring proactive risk mitigation and strategic alignment across global and local initiatives.
- Act as primary contact for key government stakeholders, driving transparency, responsiveness, and long-term connectivity.
- Manage contract workflows and lead due diligence activities for new partnership opportunities.
- Set up and operationalize strategic collaborations at both the institutional and project-specific level.
- Drive process excellence in reporting, including creation and optimization of relationship management and governance frameworks.
Your Responsibilities Will Also Include
- Collaborate cross-functionally with regulatory affairs, clinical operations, and marketing to ensure R&D efforts are synchronized with corporate priorities.
- Design and implement communications strategies to share R&D progress with internal and external audiences, adapting messages to stakeholder needs.
- Identify high-impact opportunities to integrate into the R&D ecosystem and expand our influence through public and professional engagements.
- Lead the development of new programs and provide strategic scientific input to amplify Moderna’s reputation in mRNA R&D thought leadership.
- Continuously pursue improvements to reporting mechanisms and operational workflows to drive scalability and quality across R&D delivery systems.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- “We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.” In this highly autonomous, high-impact role, you will need to act with deep ownership — forging relationships, driving projects, and representing Moderna’s R&D presence across complex stakeholder landscapes in the UK and Canada. You will operate beyond boundaries and titles to deliver outcomes that scale impact.
- “We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.” Optimizing and transforming Moderna’s reporting and relationship management tools will require you to leverage digital systems wherever possible — enhancing transparency, efficiency, and the strategic value of R&D data and partnerships globally.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
- Degree (and preferably advanced degree) in a relevant scientific field (e.g., MBA, MBBS, MD, PharmD, MSc, Ph.D.)
- Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in biotech, digital health, or pharma, with a record of excellence
- Proven project management skills, including experience with complex projects involving multiple stakeholders
- Experience in managing senior stakeholders and navigating complex, political landscapes
- Expertise in due diligence, contract preparation, and R&D ecosystems
- Proficient in data analysis, reporting, and digital transformation initiatives
- Strong organizational, communication (written and verbal), and leadership abilities
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects at a fast-pace
- Knowledgeable about academic-industry partnerships, IP, governance, and emerging scientific fields like mRNA research
- Track record of innovation, problem-solving, and delivering outcomes in collaborative projects
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
- Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well-being
- Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
- Family planning and adoption benefits
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investments
- Location-specific perks and extras!
The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.
About Moderna
Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.
By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.
We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.
Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.
Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!
Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.
Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at
[email protected].
