At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Vice President, Portfolio Cluster Lead, Oncology Research 

The Vice President, Oncology Portfolio Cluster Lead is a member of the Oncology Research Leadership Team, reporting to the Global Head of Oncology Research. This role is responsible for creating and leading a portfolio of Oncology programs from target identification up through clinical development and contributing to building a comprehensive and sustainable research portfolio to deliver and support preclinical candidates in Oncology, in alignment with our precision drug development strategy. The position is accountable for implementing this strategy across multiple sites and countries, working with internal and external partners to drive innovation in cancer research.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of the Vice President, Portfolio Cluster Lead, Oncology Research are:

• Strategic Leadership: Contribute to and implement the Oncology Research strategy, guiding scientific direction for a part of the oncology pipeline and ensuring delivery of high-value, high-confidence programs from target identification/validation through clinical development.
• Portfolio Creation: Create and lead a portfolio of interdisciplinary projects and teams, ensuring alignment with the overall Oncology strategy and contributing to the larger RED ONC portfolio.
• Team Leadership: Directly manage and mentor a diverse team of scientists at multiple levels, fostering professional development and coaching, and ensuring strategic succession planning.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Develop a robust internal and external collaboration network, evaluate external opportunities (academic, biotech) for partnerships or in-licensing, and integrate external innovation to strengthen the research portfolio.
• Scientific Excellence: Guide the design and execution of early-stage research programs to identify and validate novel targets, in biomarker-driven, selected patient populations.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee laboratory and budget management in a matrixed organization, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Communication: Organize and communicate complex data sets clearly to cross-functional audiences, both internally and externally.
• External Engagement: Represent Bayer in global oncology research and medical communities, building relationships with academic collaborators and CROs.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Cancer Biology or related field;
• Demonstrated success across multiple phases of oncology drug discovery, with a significant track record of advancing oncology therapeutics;
• Experience leading a portfolio of programs and managing/mentoring high-level scientists;
• In-depth knowledge of cancer dependency databases; data science expertise is advantageous;
• Substantial experience in early-stage research program design and execution;
• Strategic planning, project leadership, and laboratory/budget management experience in a matrixed organization;
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to lead complex cross-functional collaborations;
• Recognized scientific innovation and accomplishment, evidenced by a strong record of publication and conference presentations;
• Desire and capacity to participate in a dynamic and fast-paced research setting.

Leadership Behaviors

• Demonstrates high self-awareness and system awareness;
• Proactively asks for and gives feedback;
• Strategic thinking and business/external trends insight;
• Focuses on outcomes: defines and delivers highest pipeline, team, talent, and organizational impact;
• Collaborates with accountability across teams;
• Co-creates for customers, close to their needs;
• Acts, learns fast, and evolves: works in 90-day cycles, applies learnings, and continually develops.

Preferred qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology or related field, with a minimum of 12+ years of industry experience.

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $265,440.00 - $398,160.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant).  Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.

This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

 This posting will be available for application until at least 03/30/2026.