Start Portfolio Strategy (SPOCK) Program

The Strategy Portfolio Career Kickstart (SPOCK) programme provides an exciting opportunity to explore pRED (Pharma Research and Early Development) at Roche. This two-year rotational programme is designed to develop and accelerate early career high potential leaders with strong strategic capabilities. We have successfully hired individuals from diverse educational, professional, and cultural backgrounds to contribute to the diversity among Roche’s talent pool. Throughout the program, you will be mentored by a member of the pRED Leadership Team who will support you in your development. You will also have access to the Strategy, Portfolio, & Operations group leaders as well as the alumni of the SPOCK program.

The 2-year rotational programme offers various exceptional features for early in career individuals, including:

In your first year, you’ll work closely with cross-functional, PPM, and Strategy and Portfolio teams, leading your own assignments based on your interests. You’ll receive guidance from your SPOCK peers, PPM leads, S&P leads, and a pRED Leadership Team mentor. You’ll also have time and support to explore second-year rotation opportunities across various pRED areas, including disease therapeutic areas (Cardiovascular and Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Ophthalmology, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Oncology) or global functions (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Therapeutic Modalities, Data & Analytics, Communications, pRED Finance & Operations).

First year key responsibilities may include:

Key responsibilities:

Performing business analyses in support of strategic cross-portfolio projects.
Planning, coordinating, and overseeing the successful completion of projects within their defined scope and timeline.
Supporting project teams working on molecules in early development, preparing for governance decisions and creating key deliverables.
Collaborating with leaders across pRED to identify potential focus areas for your second-year rotation.
Drive workstreams of the annual pRED strategy review conducting portfolio, capability, and strategy analytics
Leading and managing the development of a specific molecule project as project manager, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring project milestones are met within scope, timeline, and budget.
Oversee governance meetings as meeting managers from molecule selection in discovery to pivotal trial decisions, and collaborate developing governance guidelines and feedback strategies in close collaboration with senior leaders.

You will need strong strategic, collaboration and communication skills, as well as an entrepreneurial mind-set.

You will have the opportunity to make your mark on the parts of the pRED organization you have chosen through high visibility projects and senior level challenges. pRED can benefit from your innovative mindset throughout your second year rotations.

Examples of previous SPOCK rotations include:

Oncology Insights - Supporting the oncology strategy review and implementation, as well as the organization's efforts to identify external innovation trends and assets.
Finance enterprise partner for the Discovery Leaders Committee - Responsible for delivering on the pRED research portfolio within affordable capacity limits.
Product owner of core scientific technology platforms - Developing the framework for a new scientific organization to enable broader access to cutting-edge technologies.
Therapeutic/Disease Area Strategy and Portfolio - Developing strategic insights to lead efforts in enhancing understanding of the therapeutic or disease area direction, while ensuring alignment with overall pRED objectives.
Global Function Strategy and Portfolio - Driving strategic safety, toxicology and biomarker initiatives to increase the technical probability of success of our portfolio while reducing cycle time.
Business development - Supporting the way the partnering organization accesses external innovation and bringing in assets for pRED

Who You Are

Education: Master’s or equivalent degree in life sciences or data sciences (PhD/MD and/or MBA desirable but not essential).
Experience: 1-4 years of relevant work experience in the medical, pharmaceutical, consulting, or scientific industries (Time of PhD / doctoral studies not included)
You show a strategic and analytical mindset with a demonstrable ability to integrate and synthesize findings from multiple sources to enable informed strategic decision-making.
You demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills, you can explain your ideas and demonstrate new approaches to problems
You are collaborative, proactive and show flexibility to compromise, while bringing your critical thinking and insights. You are proactive, solution-oriented and have the ability to see the bigger picture.
An experience of influencing in a matrix organization is a real asset for this role.
You have a nimble mindset, are open to new ideas, demonstrate curiosity, and have a thoughtful understanding of how previous experiences have shaped your attitudes, beliefs and behavior.

Are you ready to apply? We seek individuals who view this position as a learning experience with the potential to open doors to various opportunities within Roche.

FAQ

The objective of this programme is to attract and develop early-stage high-potential leaders at Roche. While it is up to each participant to secure a role, they receive strong support from their mentor and the network built during rotations. Notably, previous cohorts were successfully hired into roles within Roche, highlighting the programme’s effectiveness in launching careers.

The SPOCK programme is highly focused on your development. We provide a structure to support you in creating a development plan for your time in the programme, to help you achieve your goals and ensure your work is in line with your interests. This includes having a SPOCK buddy, and a SPOCK sponsor. Your pRED Leadership Mentor will also work with you on developing your leadership skills and make sure you are exposed to opportunities in your areas of interest.

In your first year you will be based in the Program and Project Management Excellence (PPME) and the Strategy and Portfolio (S&P) teams, which provide a great overview of the key initiatives across all of pRED, so that you can find an assignment you are passionate about - whether in PPME, S&P, or beyond. You will also have time to explore opportunities for your second rotations.

Strategy Portfolio Career Kickstart (SPOCK) Programme

Performing business analyses in support of strategic cross-portfolio projects.

Planning, coordinating, and overseeing the successful completion of projects within their defined scope and timeline.

Supporting project teams working on molecules in early development, preparing for governance decisions and creating key deliverables.

Collaborating with leaders across pRED to identify potential focus areas for your second-year rotation.

Drive workstreams of the annual pRED strategy review conducting portfolio, capability, and strategy analytics

Leading and managing the development of a specific molecule project as project manager, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring project milestones are met within scope, timeline, and budget.

Oversee governance meetings as meeting managers from molecule selection in discovery to pivotal trial decisions, and collaborate developing governance guidelines and feedback strategies in close collaboration with senior leaders.

You will need strong strategic, collaboration and communication skills, as well as an entrepreneurial mind-set.

You will have the opportunity to make your mark on the parts of the pRED organization you have chosen through high visibility projects and senior level challenges. pRED can benefit from your innovative mindset throughout your second year rotations.

Examples of previous SPOCK rotations include:

Oncology Insights - Supporting the oncology strategy review and implementation, as well as the organization's efforts to identify external innovation trends and assets.

Finance enterprise partner for the Discovery Leaders Committee - Responsible for delivering on the pRED research portfolio within affordable capacity limits.

Product owner of core scientific technology platforms - Developing the framework for a new scientific organization to enable broader access to cutting-edge technologies.

Therapeutic/Disease Area Strategy and Portfolio - Developing strategic insights to lead efforts in enhancing understanding of the therapeutic or disease area direction, while ensuring alignment with overall pRED objectives.

Global Function Strategy and Portfolio - Driving strategic safety, toxicology and biomarker initiatives to increase the technical probability of success of our portfolio while reducing cycle time.

Business development - Supporting the way the partnering organization accesses external innovation and bringing in assets for pRED

Who You Are

Education: Master’s or equivalent degree in life sciences or data sciences (PhD/MD and/or MBA desirable but not essential).

Experience: 1-4 years of relevant work experience in the medical, pharmaceutical, consulting, or scientific industries (Time of PhD / doctoral studies not included)

You show a strategic and analytical mindset with a demonstrable ability to integrate and synthesize findings from multiple sources to enable informed strategic decision-making.

You demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills, you can explain your ideas and demonstrate new approaches to problems

You are collaborative, proactive and show flexibility to compromise, while bringing your critical thinking and insights. You are proactive, solution-oriented and have the ability to see the bigger picture.

An experience of influencing in a matrix organization is a real asset for this role.

You have a nimble mindset, are open to new ideas, demonstrate curiosity, and have a thoughtful understanding of how previous experiences have shaped your attitudes, beliefs and behavior.

Are you ready to apply? We seek individuals who view this position as a learning experience with the potential to open doors to various opportunities within Roche.

Recruitment Timelines

The SPOCK programme hires once a year. We are looking forward to your application in Q3.
In Q4, the online assessment, interview rounds, and virtual assessment days take place. If selected, you will begin the SPOCK programme in the following year.

Speak to us

Are you interested in a drop-in session with the current SPOCKs? Please fill out this form.

FAQ

What happens at the end of the 2-year programme?

How will I develop during the SPOCK programme?

How are rotations determined in the SPOCK programme?

What kind of exposure will I have to senior leadership at Roche?

How many SPOCK positions are available?

There are 8 SPOCKs positions available at one time, with 4 senior SPOCKs in their second year, and 4 junior SPOCKs in their first year. That means that we hire 4 new SPOCKs every year.

Strategy Portfolio Career Kickstart (SPOCK) Programme

Experience

Gain experience working with a world-class, complex portfolio of research and early development molecules. Develop your project management, problem-solving, and many other skills that are transferable to various parts of the organization and beyond.

Adaptability

Shape your own path in the programme, with opportunities for broad exposure and involvement across multiple functions within and beyond pRED, depending on your interests (e.g., Pharmaceutical Sciences, Therapeutic Modalities, Data & Analytics, Communications, pRED Finance & Operations).

Throughout the programme, you will receive coaching from your SPOCK peers, the Portfolio and Programme Management team, the Strategy and Portfolio team, and a member of the pRED Leadership Team who will serve as your mentor.

Network

With our central position in the organization, you will have the opportunity to learn from a variety of functions and build a diverse professional network that will benefit your future career.

Discover your own path

Who You Are

Education: Master’s or equivalent degree in life sciences or data sciences (PhD/MD and/or MBA desirable but not essential).

Experience: 1-4 years of relevant work experience in the medical, pharmaceutical, consulting, or scientific industries (Time of PhD / doctoral studies not included)

You show a strategic and analytical mindset with a demonstrable ability to integrate and synthesize findings from multiple sources to enable informed strategic decision-making.

You demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills, you can explain your ideas and demonstrate new approaches to problems

You are collaborative, proactive and show flexibility to compromise, while bringing your critical thinking and insights. You are proactive, solution-oriented and have the ability to see the bigger picture.

An experience of influencing in a matrix organization is a real asset for this role.

You have a nimble mindset, are open to new ideas, demonstrate curiosity, and have a thoughtful understanding of how previous experiences have shaped your attitudes, beliefs and behavior.

Are you ready to apply? We seek individuals who view this position as a learning experience with the potential to open doors to various opportunities within Roche.

Recruitment Timelines

The SPOCK programme hires once a year. We are looking forward to your application in Q3. In Q4, the online assessment, interview rounds, and virtual assessment days take place. If selected, you will begin the SPOCK programme in the following year.

Speak to us

Are you interested in a drop-in session with the current SPOCKs? Please fill out this form.

FAQ

What happens at the end of the 2-year programme?

How will I develop during the SPOCK programme?

How are rotations determined in the SPOCK programme?

What kind of exposure will I have to senior leadership at Roche?

How many SPOCK positions are available?

The SPOCK programme hires once a year. We are looking forward to your application in Q3.
In Q4, the online assessment, interview rounds, and virtual assessment days take place. If selected, you will begin the SPOCK programme in the following year.