Head of Toxicology Group Regulatory Affairs

**Head of Toxicology Group Regulatory Affairs**

Location: Kaiseraugst or Geneva in Switzerland or Delft in The Netherlands.

Strategic and scientific thought leadership of the Toxicology Group within Regulatory Affairs/Science & Research (S&R) of dsm-firmenich. This role ensures product, environmental and human safety, scientific advancement, exceptional customer engagement and strong support to S&R and Business Units on innovation as well as business continuity, thereby delivering a clear competitive advantage and contributing to business growth and reputation.

**Your key responsibilities**:
**Strategic leadership**:

- Provide toxicology thought leadership and develop/implement the global toxicology strategy in alignment with S&R, BUs and regulatory objectives. Serve as the primary toxicology expert for executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Contribute to the success of Regulatory Affairs as a member of its leadership team.

**Scientific leadership**:

- Lead risk assessment, management and mitigation strategies for innovation projects and existing products.
- Ensure scientific rigor and regulatory compliance in all safety assessments.
- Maintain awareness of emerging trends in scientific developments in toxicology; enhance scientific advancement with publications in peer-reviewed journals, share knowledge internally and externally.

**Regulatory support**:

- Responsible for overall safety testing strategies and their compliance with regulatory requirements.

**Team & Budget Management**:

- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of toxicologists and safety scientists. Ensure strong scientific expertise and capabilities. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Responsible for the Group Toxicology budget and resource management to secure proper allocation according to BU priorities and needs.

**External Engagement**:

- Represent the company in key strategic meetings with regulatory authorities, customers, in external scientific committees, and registration consortia.
- Strategically build and maintain external and internal scientific networks (e.g., regulatory bodies, institutions, national & international toxicological societies), leverage external KOL with specific toxicological expertise and knowledge.

This role requires strong influential & managerial skills in contact with senior leadership and stakeholders in S&R, BUs, BU & Group Regulatory Affairs Leadership and BPs; Position is also required to develop/manage relationships with customers and other external bodies like scientific associations and governmental authorities.

**We offer**:

- A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset
- A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally
- Barrier-free communities within our organization where every employee is equally valued and respected - regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity
- A firm belief that working together with our stakeholders and suppliers is the key to achieving great things
- An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future.

**You bring**:

- Extensive experience in a variety of senior roles pertaining to Toxicology, Regulatory and Compliance, with a global scope, ideally in similar industries whether on sector or customer side. Well-connected in the industry.
- Educational level: at least MS in toxicology or PhD and 15+ years’ experience. Certification as toxicologist (ERT or DABT).
- Exceptional people leadership skills. Inspires, Influences and motivates others to perform, also in a matrix organization and people who do not directly report into the role. Provides and accepts feedback from others.
- Strong Business Acumen: Can enhance the competitive advantage that Regulatory brings.
- Transformational & progressive leader. Understands, and masters change management, understands and drives technology and automation for change. Fast learner & hands on driving simplicity and efficiency, politically savvy.
- Strong drive, especially in a transforming environment. Continuously looks for ways to improve & promote scientific and regulatory innovation and to simplify to gain efficiencies.
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and present complex and/or new ideas with clarity and simplicity
- Strategic thinking: Makes sense of complex data, trends and dynamics on a continually evolving basis, understands and anticipates potential impact these may have, and uses them to shape the direction of the business
- Delivering Results: Drives for improvement of business results and higher level of performance
- Influencing Collaboratively: Works effectively with peers, partners, and others who are not in the line of command
- Leading & Developing Teams: Focuses, aligns, and builds effective groups and develops long-term capabilities of others in the organization, and find satisfaction in influencin