Johnson & Johnson is one of the largest and most well-known healthcare companies in the world. Headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson manufactures medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. With over 130,000 employees worldwide, Johnson & Johnson generated over $82 billion in revenue in 2021.
As a large, diversified company operating in a complex industry, Johnson & Johnson relies on strong strategic leadership to guide its business units and brands. The development and execution of corporate strategy enables Johnson & Johnson to navigate market challenges, capitalize on opportunities for growth, and deliver value to shareholders.
The head of strategy for Johnson & Johnson plays a critical role in shaping the company’s direction. This executive is responsible for working with business unit leaders and functional heads to define strategic priorities, allocate resources, and drive strategic initiatives across the enterprise.
In this article, we will examine who currently serves as the head of strategy for Johnson & Johnson. Understanding the background and experience of this leader provides insight into Johnson & Johnson’s strategic thinking and future trajectory.
Current Head of Strategy
As of October 2022, Jennifer Taubert serves as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals. In this role, Taubert has responsibility for the Pharmaceuticals segment and also leads strategy development for Johnson & Johnson.
Taubert has been with Johnson & Johnson since 2005, taking on positions of increasing responsibility within the Pharmaceuticals business. She was appointed Worldwide Chairman in 2018 and took on the additional role of overseeing corporate strategy in 2020.
With nearly 20 years of experience at Johnson & Johnson, Taubert has an intimate understanding of the company’s portfolio, capabilities, and strategic needs. Her pharmaceuticals background equips her to identify market trends and growth opportunities within Johnson & Johnson’s largest business segment.
In addition to driving strategy for the Pharmaceuticals segment, Taubert now leverages her business acumen and strategic orientation in her corporate-wide strategy role. She works closely with the CEO and other executives to analyze market landscapes, evaluate mergers and acquisitions, direct research and development, and position Johnson & Johnson for continued success.
Career Background
Taubert has served Johnson & Johnson in a variety of strategic, operational, and leadership capacities:
- 2020-Present: Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals
- 2018-2020: Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals
- 2012-2018: Company Group Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, North America
- 2009-2012: Company Group Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Europe, Middle East and Africa
- 2005-2009: Managing Director, UK and Ireland Pharmaceuticals
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Taubert held executive roles at Pfizer and Pharmacia. She served as Senior Director of New Product Business Strategies for Pfizer Global Research and Development. At Pharmacia, she was Vice President of Business Strategy and Innovation.
This pharmaceutical and strategy expertise from early in her career prepared Taubert for her current dual role leading the Pharmaceuticals business and developing enterprise-wide strategy.
Strategic Priorities
Under Taubert’s leadership, Johnson & Johnson has defined strategic priorities to drive growth over the next decade. These priorities aim to capitalize on Johnson & Johnson’s strengths while proactively addressing marketplace challenges and changes.
Pharmaceutical Pipeline
A top priority is advancing Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical pipeline and executing commercial launches. The company currently has over 20 new drugs orindications in late-stage development across therapeutic areas like immunology, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular disease. Successful launches of new drugs will offset declining sales of older medicines facing patent expirations.
Portfolio Optimization
Taubert is also guiding strategic decisions regarding Johnson & Johnson’s portfolio configuration. The company continually assesses its business mix and has been willing to divest non-core brands if better scale and growth potential exists outside of Johnson & Johnson. Recent divestitures include Johnson & Johnson’s diabetes care companies and asthma brands. Proceeds from divestitures are redirected toward higher-growth segments.
Digital Transformation
Investing in digital capabilities is another priority. Taubert is pushing Johnson & Johnson companies to leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence, IoT, and other technologies. Digital transformation will enable Johnson & Johnson to gather customer insights, support R&D, enhance operations, and deliver connected health solutions.
Supply Chain Resilience
Finally, Taubert is directing efforts to construct a more dynamic, resilient supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions highlighted the need to re-engineer processes from procurement to manufacturing to distribution. Enhanced supply chain resilience will help Johnson & Johnson more nimbly respond to changes in demand.
Impact on Johnson & Johnson
Since becoming head of strategy, Taubert has helped Johnson & Johnson maintain growth and strong financial performance. Some metrics demonstrating her impact include:
- Revenue has grown from $82 billion in 2020 to over $93 billion in 2021.
- Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical segment contributes over 50% of total revenues.
- The company’s market capitalization totals over $460 billion.
- Johnson & Johnson ranks #37 on the Fortune 500 list.
- Credible pipeline with 30+ major product launches expected by 2025.
Shareholders have also continued to benefit under Taubert’s leadership:
- Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividend for 60 consecutive years.
- The stock has provided a compound annual growth rate of 15% over the past 5 years.
Taubert’s experience and strategic direction have clearly contributed to Johnson & Johnson maintaining its industry leadership position. Her dual role as head of the Pharmaceuticals segment equips her to identify synergies between business strategy and corporate strategy.
Leadership Style & Approach
Those who have worked with Taubert describe her leadership style as pragmatic, collaborative, and driven. She takes a hands-on approach to understanding business operations and competitive dynamics. Taubert sets bold strategic goals but also digs into the details required for effective execution.
She has expressed a commitment to creative, inclusive leadership. Taubert builds diverse teams and fosters a culture where employees feel empowered to innovate. She also mentors other female leaders within Johnson & Johnson to help develop future talent.
Taubert has shared some of her leadership lessons and philosophies:
- Lead with optimism and conviction. Convey purpose in a way that motivates people.
- Leverage strengths of team members. Confident leaders surround themselves with diverse perspectives.
- Cultivate curiosity. Ask questions, analyze data, and constantly explore new ideas.
- Take smart risks. Progress requires courage and a willingness to experiment.
- Commit to lifelong learning. The leaders best equipped to shape the future are those who never stop evolving.
This mindset and approach are clearly influencing strategy development as Taubert assesses markets, listens to stakeholders, and incorporates diverse viewpoints.
Future Outlook
Taubert will continue playing an integral role as Johnson & Johnson competes in the evolving healthcare industry. Demographic shifts, cost pressures, and technological advances are dramatically impacting pharmaceutical companies.
Under Taubert’s leadership, Johnson & Johnson is poised to capitalize on growth opportunities through R&D productivity, strategic partnerships, and innovative business models. However, the company also faces challenges in drug pricing, clinical development costs, and portfolio management.
Taubert’s experience in the pharmaceutical industry and dedication to strategic thinking position her well to navigate an uncertain future. Investors will look to her guidance as Johnson & Johnson works to grow market share and shareholder value.
Execution of strategy will ultimately depend on the strength of Johnson & Johnson’s culture, capabilities, and competitive advantages cultivated over decades. Taubert understands the importance of leveraging these organizational assets while pushing for transformation.
In coming years, investors should expect Johnson & Johnson to deepen its commitments to ethnically diverse clinical trials, environmentally sustainable practices, and transparent drug pricing. Taubert recognizes societal expectations for businesses to addre
Conclusion
Jennifer Taubert serves as head of corporate strategy for Johnson & Johnson in addition to leading the critical Pharmaceuticals business. She has spent nearly 20 years in strategic and operational roles, giving her deep knowledge of the company and healthcare industry dynamics.
Under Taubert’s leadership, Johnson & Johnson has sustained growth and strong financial results. She has helped the company establish strategic priorities around pharmaceutical pipeline development, portfolio optimization, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience.
Taubert’s pragmatic, collaborative approach to leadership guides strategic planning. She fosters inclusive teams that balance optimism with analytical rigor. Taubert’s pharmaceutical expertise and commitment to learning equip her to drive continued success for Johnson & Johnson.
The healthcare landscape will continue evolving with scientific breakthroughs, demographic shifts, technology disruptions, and cost pressures. Jennifer Taubert is an experienced strategist guiding Johnson & Johnson through these complex forces. Her leadership provides continuity and direction, positioning one of the world’s largest healthcare companies to maintain market leadership in the decades ahead.