Senior Director, Cell Culture Strategy
Danaher Corporation
Summary
The Senior Director, Cell Culture Strategy, is responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of Cytiva's Cell Culture business. This leader will shape the strategic plan, enable execution, and ensure the organization has the operating cadence and cross-functional alignment needed to translate strategy into measurable growth outcomes. This role translates market research, customer insight, and competitive analysis into strategic choices for the business. The Senior Director, Strategy will partner closely with the VP & General Manager and Product Leaders to define long-range ambition, prioritize where to compete and invest, and align the organization around plans that drive growth, profitability, and shareholder value. The leader will influence and align strategy across functions, partnering with Commercial, Product Management, R&D, Operations, and other strategy leaders across Danaher's Biotechnology Group, particularly the Head of Strategy for Cytiva. This position reports to the VP & General Manager, Cell Culture Business Unit, and will be an on-site position in Marlborough, MA or Logan, UT.
Job description
What you will do:
- Lead the end-to-end strategic planning process for the Cell Culture business—defining vision, long-term financial ambition, and a differentiated competitive position in alignment with Cytiva/Danaher frameworks.
- Partner with the General Manager and Product Leaders on major strategic decisions, including high-growth opportunities, portfolio choices, and investment priorities.
- Drive market intelligence and growth strategy by assessing core, adjacent, and transformational opportunities; identifying organic and inorganic growth options; and supporting due diligence where needed.
- Establish the operating cadence, metrics, and cross-functional review mechanisms needed to track progress, resolve tradeoffs, and deliver strategic priorities.
- Facilitate strategic workshops and influence across the organization, cultivating inclusive collaboration across product management, R&D, Commercial, and Insights teams, and communicating strategic priorities to stakeholders at all levels.
Who you are:
- Undergraduate degree required, preferably in a scientific, technical, or business field.
- MBA or other advanced degree.
- 5+ years of experience in bioprocessing, life sciences, pharma services, or related markets preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in a top-tier consulting firm or equivalent experience in corporate strategy, market analysis, product strategy, or business leadership; plus experience executing in an operating business environment.
- Substantial experience in strategic planning, ideally within life sciences, with strong analytical skills, business acumen, and ability to translate insight into action.
- Experience in bioprocessing and/or cell culture is strongly preferred.
- Critical thinker with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well cross-functionally and to interact with executives at the most senior levels.
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
Strong DBS toolkit with depth in strategy deployment, growth acceleration, and prioritization methodologies that drive clarity, focus, and scalable execution of strategic initiatives.
Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:
Up to 30% travel (domestic and international), depending on location and business needs
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree required, preferably in a scientific, technical, or business field.
- MBA or other advanced degree.
- 5+ years of experience in bioprocessing, life sciences, pharma services, or related markets preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in a top-tier consulting firm or equivalent experience in corporate strategy, market analysis, product strategy, or business leadership; plus experience executing in an operating business environment.
- Substantial experience in strategic planning, ideally within life sciences, with strong analytical skills, business acumen, and ability to translate insight into action.
- Experience in bioprocessing and/or cell culture is strongly preferred.
- Critical thinker with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well cross-functionally and to interact with executives at the most senior levels.
- Strong DBS toolkit with depth in strategy deployment, growth acceleration, and prioritization methodologies that drive clarity, focus, and scalable execution of strategic initiatives.
- Up to 30% travel (domestic and international), depending on location and business needs
Benefits
- Health care program
- Paid time off
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
Company overview
Danaher Corporation is a leading global science and technology innovator headquartered in Washington, D.C., specializing in biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics. Founded in 1984 by brothers Steven and Mitchell Rales, the company has evolved from its origins as a manufacturing conglomerate into a premier healthcare technology organization with approximately 63,000 employees worldwide. Danaher operates through three core divisions: biotechnology (28% of revenues), which develops products for therapeutic development; life sciences (31% of revenues), focused on disease identification, new therapies, and drug testing/manufacturing; and diagnostics (41% of revenues), providing instruments, consumables, and software for disease diagnosis. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Beckman Coulter, Cytiva, Pall Corporation, Cepheid, Leica Microsystems, and Abcam, serving pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, healthcare providers, and research institutions globally. Danaher is distinguished by its Danaher Business System (DBS), a continuous improvement methodology that drives innovation and operational excellence. With 2024 revenues of $23.9 billion, the company ranks 180th on the Fortune 500 and plays a critical role in advancing scientific research, improving diagnostic capabilities, and accelerating the development of life-saving therapies.