Head of External Innovation

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join MilliporeSigma.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

Your role

• You will own and accelerate external innovation partnerships to unlock breakthrough bioprocessing technologies complementary to Process Solutions portfolio, and scale them through market introduction.
• You will establish holistic innovation collaborations with global pharma customers.
• You will report to the VP, Process Solutions Innovation.
• This role can be placed in Darmstadt, Germany or Burlington, USA.

Key responsibilities

• You will lead a global organization responsible for building and maintaining relationships with academic institutions, industry consortia, customers, and KOLs in bioprocessing.
• You will build and mentor a high-performing team and cultivate a culture of empowerment, quality, and delivery discipline.
• You will serve as the primary liaison with KOLs to gather insights, validate research directions, and enhance field credibility.
• You will seek ideas from outside the organization, cultivate an ecosystem for disruptive bioprocessing innovation, and harness world-class external partners to co-create the future of pharma manufacturing.
• You will identify and establish collaborations with innovative academic institutions and think-tanks to co-develop novel technologies, methodologies, and solutions that advance bioprocessing practices.
• You will organize and lead scientific advisory boards to drive collaboration, capture industry trends and challenges, and integrate feedback into the innovation strategy.

Who you are


Minimum requirements:

• 10+ years’ experience leading medium- to large scale organizations in a global technology and/or business context.
• 10+ years’ experience of leading a global team, with the ability to hire, mentor, and retain top talent.
• Deep technical understanding of biomanufacturing workflows, current challenges and novel approaches to address them.

Preferred requirements:

• Proven technical leadership experience in translating early-stage innovations into scalable market-ready solutions.
• Track record of establishing and growing  strong partnerships with (bio)pharma companies.
• Customer-centric mindset with excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Strong understanding of and network across the global Life Science Venture Capital and innovation incubator ecosystem.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, ability to take calculated risks and take decisions in ambigious situations.

Pay Range for this position: $233,600-$350,400
The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other prequisites. For more information click here.  

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!