Current Jobs at Roche

The Opportunity

• The Genentech/Roche African Genomics Program invites applications for a highly motivated and team-oriented Scientific Program Manager. The selected candidate will join the African Genomics Program to serve as both a scientific and overall project manager on multiple genomic collaborations to enable and accelerate novel research on the African continent and beyond. 
• An understanding of genetic or multi-omic datasets is critical for this role, including understanding the use and analysis of whole-genome sequencing data. Strong organizational and communication skills and experience managing complex projects are also required.
• In addition to managing scientific projects, the successful candidate will also be responsible for overseeing various operational activities including data flows and data transfers.
• The role is a key strategic partner that drives the successful execution of cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and program roadmaps. The role will facilitate collaboration across teams, manage complex program structures, and guarantee timely delivery of programs with quantifiable results. 

Key Challenges

• Management and tracking of multiple interdependent projects with different collaborators and stakeholders.
• Management and organization of data flows including coordinating with people in the informatics, computational biology, software development, and information infrastructure space
• Ensure on-time program delivery by managing across related project timelines and workflows.
• Manage the overall portfolio of projects and health of the program - identifying risks and escalating issues as needed to ensure project success.
• Consistently communicate program plans, progress, risks, changes, and successes with clarity and objectivity.  Drives a high degree of accountability across program teams and groups in order to meet objectives and foster effective collaboration.
• Responsible for the overall program budget. 
• Liaise with teams working on global procurement, service agreements and local contracts, act as PPOC on AGP for these internal collaborators
• Awareness of both scientific and business interests for external collaborations and ability to foresee potential risks and roadblocks, developing solutions for project success 
• Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professionalism; successfully prioritize workload in accordance with business goals
• Represent Roche and the African Genomics Program with outside scientific collaborators, both academic and corporate
• Oversee alignment across multiple teams or functional groups in effort to meet the objective of key business initiatives.

Who You Are as an Ideal Candidate

• A Ph.D. or MS + 4 yrs experience in human genetics, translational biology, or similar scientific fields 
• Project management experience requirements: At least 2 years post PhD; 3-5 years post Masters degree; or 5 - 7 Years post Bachelors degree
• Possesses and can demonstrate fundamental program management skills, including the ability to define objectives, develop timelines, organize tasks related to multiple projects, and meet goals in a timely manner 
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and organization skills including the ability to monitor and track activities, goals, and usage of resources
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate what pieces are necessary and sequence them in order to support a successful project, from planning to execution 
• Proven ability to identify potential risks, mitigate them, and execute solutions 
• Fluent in tools to influence and motivate with or without authority, facilitate groups with diverse perspectives, bring teams to consensus/alignment
• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and synthesize large amounts of information to empower teams to make decisions in line with business goals and take action
• Strong writing skills, particularly for writing scientific proposals and generating slides for collaborators and stakeholders 
• Clear and professional communication skills to interface with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders across multiple research fields

Preferred

• Experience in industry and/or biotechnology settings and/or public health/policy
• A record of scientific publications in respected journals in these fields, germline genetic knowledge necessary to carry out the above responsibilities
• Fluency in French or Portuguese a plus
• Africa-based candidates strongly preferred (location preference: Nairobi, Johannesburg/Cape Town)

go to method of application »

The Position

• Are you passionate about fostering a culture of quality and safety? We are searching for an experienced Quality Assurance Lead to champion excellence across our Southern Africa Network (SAN) to be based in Johannesburg. In this critical role, you will spearhead our robust quality assurance program, ensuring unwavering compliance, managing emerging issues, and driving continuous improvement across all quality-related aspects.
• Bring your expertise to an industry leader, where your contribution will resonate regionally and globally.

Key Challenges:

• Ensuring Quality Excellence Across The Network: Oversee detailed quality performance reporting, management reviews, and quality improvement initiatives in line with ISO 13485 requirements and international standards.  
• Quality Management Systems (QMS): Implement, maintain, and assess policies and procedures to ensure the SAN QMS remains a best-in-class system.
• Managing Business Partnerships: Forge strong relationships with external business partners, ensuring supplier quality, 3PL onboarding, and aligned performance management.  
• Risk and Change Control Management: Integrate quality risk principles and manage change control processes to address evolving needs and compliance requirements.  
• Operational Quality Assurance Oversight: Be the guardian of logistics, product integrity, and system non-conformance while ensuring safety protocols and customer satisfaction.
• Compliance with Documentation and Processes:** Ensure seamless document management, SOP adherence, and effective record control across workflows. 
• This position involves strong cross-functional collaboration with both internal teams—spanning Supply Chain, Regulatory, Sales, Medical Affairs, and more—and key external stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, service providers, and government departments.

Who you are as our ideal candidate:

We are seeking a proactive, strategic, and skilled leader with an exceptional background in quality assurance. You will bring:

• Qualifications & Experience: A postgraduate qualification (NQF 9) in a health sciences field and at least 10 years of experience in the commercial pharmaceutical or medical device industry, including a minimum of 5 years in a management position.
• Knowledge and Expertise: An in-depth understanding of the pharmaceutical sector, including regulations and commercial business management practices.
• Skills and Attributes: You excel at achieving results and fostering strategic agility. You navigate complex business landscapes with political savvy, build trusted relationships, and inspire collaboration across teams. Strong problem-solving, communication, and responsiveness define your leadership style.
• Flexibility: The ability to travel nationally and internationally as required.