For CGT Catapult to continue to deliver on the innovation and technology needs of the advanced therapy medical product (ATMP) industry for the next decade, the Programme Head of Cell Delivery is responsible for collaboratively shaping, leading, and delivering the Cell Delivery programme, bringing industry engagement, strong technical expertise, and a delivery-focused approach across the business and wider sector within a matrix structure. The role will be high profile both within the company and externally to the global sector.
The position of Programme Head of Cell Delivery for the CGT Catapult is an important and highly visible role focused on delivering an impactful, coherent and financially viable programme within the Scale Enabling Technology (SET) business stream. The role reports into the Director of Automation and Digital Innovation and requires a close working relationship with adjacent Programme Heads to align strategy and delivery. The role also requires a close working relationship with Heads of Departments to identify and secure the appropriate resources to deliver the projects within the programme, working within a matrix, in a smooth and efficient manner.
The Programme Head of Cell Delivery will be responsible for ensuring the activities in which the CGT Catapult engages are sourced, selected, transacted, and reported in a way that is consistent with our mission, values and our strategic goals, revolving around accelerating the growth of technological innovation within the UK cell and gene therapy industry.
The Programme Head of Cell Delivery is accountable for setting and delivering programme priorities and milestones across the following key areas:
Programme Strategy and Sector Engagement
- Strategy & Vision: Shape, own, and deliver the Cell Delivery programme strategy in the allogeneic and autologous cell fields, defining and delivering milestones and priorities with key stakeholders
- Network & BD collaboration: Utilise a strong sector network to work with Business Development (BD) and external partners to shape impactful, highly collaborative commercial proposals and government grant applications (e.g. Innovate UK)
- Sector insights: Monitor global cell therapy trends and drivers and translate them into actionable initiatives with the Cell Delivery programme strategy, inform adjacent programmes, and share with the wider team
Project and Financial Delivery
- Programme Oversight: Act as project sponsor across projects in the programme, as well as technical lead ensuring the delivery of key projects against financial targets, scope, quality assurance, and timelines
- Operational Health: Work closely with the Cell Delivery Programme Manager and matrixed programme team to maintain programme health, manage risks/escalations, oversee budgets, and prioritise dissemination/marketing activities
- Reporting & compliance: Report on milestones and priorities - including surfacing risks, issues, and mitigations in senior leadership forums - and ensure robust compliance back to funding bodies such as Innovate UK
Matrix Leadership & Capability Building
- Resource Management: Collaborate with Heads of Department to secure the technical resources and departmental oversight required for project delivery
- Mentorship & Team Building: Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to project teams within a matrix management structure (without direct line reports)
- Innovation & Operations: Drive innovation by developing game-changing capabilities and service offerings aligned with market needs, while supporting business operations and EHS
Experience:
- Clear evidence of working with broader cell therapies, bridging the gap between early-stage science and the commercial space (essential)
- Demonstrable project management and technical leadership experience across concurrent, complex projects, effectively managing internal and external stakeholders through often new or ambiguous territory (essential)
- Track record in securing commercial work and R&D grants in a highly competitive environment, shaping impactful proposals in collaboration with large consortia across international boundaries (essential)
- Demonstrable extensive experience in pluripotent stem cell (PSC) therapy scale-up, translation from lab, and deployment within a Pharma/biotech environment (strongly advantageous)
- Proven experience leading and delivering complex projects, managing budgets, and steering cross-functional teams within a matrix environment (strongly advantageous)
- Experience in implementing state-of-the-art digital systems for automation of cell characterisation and process control
Highly motivated, pragmatic, and practical to support the mission of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to accelerate the development of a commercial cell and gene-based therapy industry in the UK
- Expert understanding of PSC expansion, differentiation approaches, and associated technical scaling challenges.
- Deep knowledge of allogeneic and autologous cell manufacturing technologies and associated analytical methodologies.
- Understanding of development requirements in pre-clinical stages in the run up to full in-human trials as well as broader GMP compliance
- Familiarity with Quality by Design (QbD) approaches, Design of Experiment (DoE) tools, and GMP standards
- Strong strategic thinking with a solid understanding of commercial barriers in the ATMP sector and how to address them
- Financially literate with the ability to manage significant budgets, identify risk, and evaluate project viability
- Well-respected in industry and academia with an established network, particularly with early-stage developers and university labs
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-influencing skills to maintain harmony across internal departments and external Collaborators
- Ability to inspire, energise, and mentor cross-functional project teams without formal line management authority
- Resilient and highly organised, with the capacity to manage competing priorities autonomously in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications and general IT systems
- A positive attitude towards learning, personal and professional development
- Keeps up to date with professional knowledge, expertise and best practice
- Willingness to travel as required by the role
Education / Qualifications:
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Degree level education in a relevant subject required
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) is an independent innovation and technology organisation committed to the advancement of cell and gene therapies with a vision of a thriving industry delivering life changing advanced therapies to the world. Its aim is to create powerful collaborations which overcome challenges to the advancement of the sector.
With experts covering all aspects of advanced therapies, it applies its unique capabilities and assets, collaborates with academia, industry and healthcare providers to develop new technology and innovation.
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult works with Innovate UK.
CGT Catapult is committed to providing an equal, diverse, and inclusive work environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. We celebrate differences, empower, and inspire everyone, because when everyone is included, everyone wins. In 2024, we received bronze accreditation from Inclusive Employers.
