In this episode, Charles talks with Crystal Zuckerman, the VP HR of PMV Pharma. They discuss her transition from a large biotech firm like Celgene to a startup biotech. They also talk about how she handles layoffs carefully and the power of personal connections in advancing a career.

Crystal shares how she brings a personal touch to HR by emphasizing authenticity, accountability and community-building at PMV.

Here's what you are in for:

00:50 HR's Role in Biotech Changes

01:30 Crystal's HR Path and Move to PMV

05:03 Big Changes in Biotech: Celgene Joins BMS

08:30 Adjusting to a Smaller Company Feel During COVID

17:28 Building Responsibility and Influence at Every Level

21:15 Handling Job Cuts in Biotech

21:36 Leading Company Changes with Kindness

23:28 How to Share Tough News

23:49 Improving Help for Those Leaving Jobs

25:11 Looking Back on the Layoff Process and Responses

27:08 Making Layoffs More Personal

32:16 Tips for Interviews

35:33 Debunking Interview Myths and Sharing Tips

40:25 Helping Careers Grow with Project OnRamp

About Crystal Zuckerman

Crystal Zuckerman serves as PMV Pharma's Vice President of Human Resources, bringing over 20 years of industry expertise. Her tenure includes a significant stint at Celgene before its acquisition by BMS, after which she joined the more nimble PMV Pharma about 3.5 years ago. A proponent of authenticity and community in corporate culture, Crystal recently managed a sensitive restructuring, ensuring generous support for those affected.

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

In this episode, Charles shares a story about a talented medical oncologist who struggled to progress in his career, both internally and externally at his company, despite being highly skilled technically.

The main issue was the candidate's inability to effectively sell his achievements and communicate his worth. This inspires Charles to create a series focused on helping professionals, especially those in scientific/medical fields, overcome the challenges of self-promotion for career advancement.

Here's what you are in for:

00:06 Introduction

00:29 Why you can't promotion

03:45 Sell yourself the right way

05:56 Final thoughts

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

In this episode,Charles talks with Amber Tong, a senior editor at Endpoints News, about how the Biosecure Act could impact the biotech and pharma sectors.

Amber shares thoughts on how this law could change U.S.-China biopharma ties, jobs, and making medicines. We also look into how things are changing in this area, who might benefit or not, and the big global tensions that affect these shifts.

Here's what you are in for:

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Welcoming the Guest

02:36 Discussing the Biosecure Act

04:34 Impact on the Biotech Industry

07:17 Geopolitical Tensions and Historical Context

16:09 Potential Winners and Losers

35:16 Future Predictions and Conclusion

About Amber Tong

Amber Tong is a senior editor at Endpoints News, which is a global specialty publication covering the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She's a reporter/editor with more than six years of experience covering the biopharma industry, with a particular focus on the growing role China plays on the global stage.

Amber is also at BIO San Diego 2024, go say hi.

Useful Information on BIOSECURE

Endpoints' latest articles:

BIO: China tensions, fixing gene therapy’s business model, and the stop-start market recovery

https://endpts.com/see-you-at-bio-china-tensions-fixing-gene-therapys-business-model-and-the-stop-start-market-recovery/

WuXi became a critical partner to biopharma companies. They’re not ready if the US cracks down

https://endpts.com/wuxi-became-a-critical-partner-to-biopharma-companies-theyre-not-ready-if-the-us-cracks-down/

The US could upend biopharma manufacturing. WuXi rivals have an opening

https://endpts.com/the-us-could-upend-biopharma-manufacturing-wuxi-rivals-have-an-opening/

US-China tensions threaten to ensnare additional Chinese biopharma contractors

https://endpts.com/us-china-tensions-threaten-to-ensnare-additional-chinese-biopharma-contractors/

New Biosecure draft features 2032 grandfather clause, five-year grace period for added companies

https://endpts.com/new-biosecure-draft-features-2032-grandfather-clause-five-year-grace-period-for-added-companies/

BIO CEO defends the organization's about-face on the Biosecure Act

https://endpts.com/bio-ceo-defends-the-organizations-about-face-on-the-biosecure-act/

Medicxi backs Chinese biotech's next-gen KRAS G12C drug with $40M injection

https://endpts.com/medicxi-backs-d3-bios-next-gen-kras-g12c-drug-with-40m-injection/

About Charles

Charles Spence...

In this episode, Charles talks about his top rules for success in recruiting, which he calls 'The 10 Commandments of Recruitment.' He believes that having principles or commandments as a person or business is what sets us apart.

He also shares a bit of fun insight about who he is and what he believes in business.

Here's what you are in for:

00:08 The 10 Commandments of Recruitment

00:14 Commandment 1: Always Give Feedback

00:47 Commandment 2: Don't Add to the Problem

02:47 Commandment 3: It's Not Personal

03:20 Commandment 4: Pride in Work Before Business

04:18 Commandment 5: Always Be Learning

05:07 Commandment 6: Understand Before Advising

06:04 Commandment 7: Don't Be an Idiot

06:15 Commandment 8: Be Refreshingly Honest

07:01 Commandment 9: Be Authentic

08:00 Commandment 10: Be Different and Keep Going

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

In this episode, Colin Hayward, CMO of Telix- a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, talks about his contribution to the success of Rituximab which culminated in transforming it into a $3 billion radiopharmaceutical giant.

He also shares invaluable insights into the challenges of leadership, the burden of firing people, and the strategic decisions that drive success in the fast-paced world of biotech innovation.

Here's what you are in for:

01:36 Colin's Switch from Medicine to Biotech

04:15 Moving from Treating Patients to Business

05:58 Lessons from Working on Rituxan

10:59 Changing Careers: Consulting, CROs, and Teamwork

23:03 Tips on Hiring and Making a Strong Biotech Team

27:45 The burden of Firing people

About Colin Hayward

Colin Hayward, MD is the former Chief Medical Officer at Telix Pharmaceuticals, a company that specializes in radiopharmaceuticals. He has over 20 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Colin leads the medical, regulatory, clinical operations, and safety activities at Telix worldwide.

He originally wanted to play football professionally for Brighton Hove Albion, but realized he wasn't good enough at age 12. Switched to field hockey, was academically gifted, loved science, and decided to pursue medicine to help people and dive deeper into science.

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

This podcast episode, Charles drops some real talk on communicating well when hiring people.

He tells a story about how poor communication can really upset candidates and from this story, he gives three tips for hiring managers. This episode emphasizes that it's good to give rejected candidates helpful, positive feedback and to keep talking to them for possible jobs later on rather than ghosting them.

He also shares three tips for hiring managers to protect their reputation and improve their interactions with candidates.

Here's what you are in for:

00:24 Why Protecting Your Reputation Matters

00:44 How Feedback Can Strengthen Your Reputation

02:23 Dealing with Rejection Positively

07:22 Tips for Hiring Managers on Empowerment and Feedback

07:56 Knowing How People Act at Work

15:01 The Need for Empathy and Humility in Hiring

17:40 Wrapping Up: Keeping Your Good Name at Work

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

In this episode, Ben Pais, Senior Vice President at Ariceum Therapeutics, discusses innovative cancer treatments. His company develops drugs that use radiation to combat cancer.

He explains their strategies and adjustments in medical technology, focusing on radiotherapy.

He talks about the challenges of producing and distributing these drugs and the importance of having capable leaders.

Ben also explores future developments in this field and how large pharmaceutical companies acquiring smaller ones can impact the industry.

Here's what you are in for:

00:22 Moving from Clinical Medicine to Pharma

02:00 Starting Out from Surgery to Pharma

04:33 Discovering New Areas in Pharma

08:50 Getting into Radiopharmaceuticals

16:02 Growing in a Radiopharmaceutical Career

19:25 Understanding Radiopharmaceuticals: Simple to Complex

24:34 Finding Your Way in the Radiopharmaceutical Field

33:57 What's Next for Radiopharmaceuticals and Career Tips

About Ben Pais

Ben is a doctor with 25 years in the life science field. He knows about urology, cardiology, and radiation oncology. He has handled clinical trials (phase I-IV), medical affairs, drug safety, getting products to market, launching products, and early sales steps. Since 2019, he's been a certified Pharmaceutical Physician NVFG. In 2020, he started at Ipsen as the Global Development Lead for Radiopharmaceuticals. Later, he moved to Ariceum.

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

In this episode, Charles talks about how to craft authentic and genuine stories that can sell yourself and stand out from the rest. He points out that many resumes lack persuasive pitches and unique stories, so he offers 5 tips on creating these narratives. He stresses the need for authenticity and alignment with one's CV and interview responses.

He also discusses typical mistakes, like not showing the hidden benefits or linking past experiences to what future employers are looking for.

Here's what you are in for:

01:03 A Sneak Peek at Making Your CV

01:36 How to Make Sales Stories That Stick

04:18 Knowing Your Audience is Your First Step to Win

05:14 Being Specific on How to Make Stories Catchy

10:42 Using Lessons for Future Wins

11:26 The Secret to Job Applications

12:45 Building a Strong Professional Image

13:09 More Than Crafting a CV But Growing Your Career Chances

About Charles

Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

Connect with Charles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

Website: https://www.discera-search.com/