Director Innovative Financing

Vacancy reference

VAC-0426

Department

Process Development and Manufacturing

Location

Oslo / London / Washington DC

Close date

02/01/2026

About CEPI

Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world's largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – seven of which are approved for global or domestic use - and co-leading COVAX, the global initiative to support equitable access which supported the delivery of over 2bn vaccine doses globally. CEPI has contributed to a number of scientific breakthroughs in vaccine development against other infectious diseases, including the first ever licensed Chikungunya vaccine and the first Nipah and Lassa virus vaccines into Phase 1 trials.

As COVID-19 has demonstrated, emerging infectious diseases represent an existential threat to our way of life. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic of the 21st century, and unless we act now, we can be sure that it will not be the last. Unlike some of the other big threats that humanity faces, we have the tools to systematically reduce and even eliminate the risk of future pandemics. It is vital that we capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from the pandemic to prevent such devastation happening again. CEPI's five-year plan for – known as CEPI 2.0 - aims to dramatically reduce or even eliminate the future risk of pandemics and epidemics. Central to the plan is CEPI's goal to accelerate the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Achieving this '100 Days Mission', which has been embraced by the G7 and G20, would give the world a fighting chance of containing a future outbreak before it can spread to become a global pandemic, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.

CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC.

In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.

More details about CEPI and our mission can be found on our website:

About the role

The Process Development and Manufacturing (PDM) Division supports and drives vaccine process development, technical innovation, readiness for the 100 Days Mission, and sustainable manufacturing to enable equitable epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

With the addition of the Innovative Financing & Manufacturing (IFM) team, the division includes four departments: CMC, PDM Innovations, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Networks, and Innovative Financing & Manufacturing, all supported by the Executive Directors Office.

The IFM Department will establish a permanent, specialised capability within CEPIs PDM division to develop and implement co-funding models that strengthen the financial sustainability of manufacturing partners and ensure scalable, equitable supply during health emergencies. This team will reinforce CEPIs role as a trusted convenor in the global health ecosystem, fostering resilient partnerships and supporting long-term preparedness through strong technical, financial, and collaborative expertise.

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Innovative Finance & Manufacturing leads CEPI's financing and investment agenda for late-stage vaccine development and manufacturing and reports to the Executive Director of PDM. The role shapes CEPI's innovative financing strategies, directs investment design and execution, and oversees analytical and due-diligence activities that support sustainable, high-impact manufacturing partnerships. The Director manages a team of investment and analytic professionals and collaborates closely with colleagues across CEPI, including investor relations, scientific, technical, regulatory, access, policy, and partnership teams, and external manufacturers, DFI/MDBs, multilaterals, and funders to ensure CEPI deploys capital strategically and co-funding is aligned to advance global manufacturing readiness.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead CEPI's manufacturing and investment strategy in alignment with organisational priorities and the 100 Days Mission, supporting equitable access and pandemic preparedness
• Design and implement innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance structures, milestone-based instruments, volume guarantees, and risk-sharing arrangements
• Oversee investment analyses, due diligence, and decision materials to support evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing expert team, including investment, analytical, and project lead roles
• Strengthen alignment across CEPI functions (Investor Relations, Public Partnerships, R&D, Access and Business Development)
• Provide advanced manufacturing, technical, and commercial insight to support partners in developing viable, sustainable business models
• Lead financial, commercial, and sustainability assessments of manufacturing partners, including evaluation of COGs, process robustness, regulatory readiness, supply chains, and operational viability
• Apply understanding of vaccine and biologics development, scale-up, CMC, regulatory pathways, and facility readiness to investment decisions
• Build and manage relationships with manufacturers, funders, multilaterals (such as Gavi and WHO), RVMC and governments to foster resilient partnerships and drive complex, long-term initiatives.
• Leverage CEPI's convening power to align stakeholders around shared goals and drive complex, long-term initiatives across the global health ecosystem
• Represent CEPI in high-level forums, negotiations, and partnership platforms, building credibility, trust, and sustained collaboration
• Lead and coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder workstreams to ensure effective programme and project delivery
• Establish monitoring, performance, and risk-management frameworks to track progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability
• Ensure transparent, evidence-based decision-making across investment activities.
• Be an effective member of the PDM and CEPI Leadership Team.

Education, Experience and Competence

Essential:

• Advanced degree (MSc, PhD, MBA, MPP, MPH, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific, engineering, finance, or public health field.
• 5–10+ years' experience across financial institutions, pharmaceutical industry, and/or relevant government or non-profit organizations, with a proven track record in strategic planning, execution, and project financing in HICs and LMICs
• Deep understanding of end-to-end vaccine development and manufacturing, including late-stage development, CMC, regulatory considerations, process development, and scale-up
• Strong expertise in global health and development finance, including innovative and catalytic financing approaches that strengthen vaccine markets and manufacturing ecosystems
• Experience designing or evaluating financing models for late-stage development and manufacturing partners.
• Experience working across diverse geographies and cultural contexts.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with the global ecosystem, including co-funding partners across multilaterals, DFIs/MDBs, philanthropic institutions, manufacturers, and global health partners
• Strong analytical, financial, and commercial judgment, with the ability to integrate scientific, financial, regulatory, and policy considerations
• Demonstrated leadership in building and leading high-performing expert teams within complex, matrixed, and international environments
• Highly effective communicator and relationship builder, able to influence, negotiate, and build consensus across diverse stakeholders and cultures
• Adaptable, collaborative, and mission-driven, able to operate successfully in fast-changing and complex environments

Desirable:

• Experience working directly with manufacturers or regional manufacturing initiatives.
• Experience with delivery of clinical trial material (CTM).
• Experience with DFIs/MDBs or blended-finance structures.
• Experience with manufacturing initiatives relevant to LMIC production.

Travel and Location Requirements

• This role can be based in the UK, Norway or the United States
• Up to 30% travel

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges
• Experience in the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks
• A diverse and inclusive working environment

Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation.