Rebecca Perryman is head of the global external workforce program at Biogen, a global biotechnology company offering a broad portfolio of novel therapies across neurology, neuropsychiatry, specialized immunology and rare diseases. In her role, Perryman designs, implements and optimizes Biogen’s external workforce program and works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure program compliance and adoption globally while adjusting to the complexity of local labor laws.

There are two external talent channels at Biogen under Perryman’s purview. One is a contingent workforce program with resources spanning across the US, UK and Switzerland, focused primarily on professional and manufacturing roles. The other channel is a just-in-time program with resources across 40-plus countries. Since taking on both channels, Perryman has been implementing global policy, standardization and operational efficiencies that have laid the groundwork for the next big effort: a statement-of-work project that will lead Biogen down the path of total talent management. A project of this magnitude requires collaboration across the organization which comes naturally to Perryman.

Simplifying the complexities of external talent management, she paints the vision of the program and the value it brings to all functional areas of the business, securing leadership endorsement and alignment. Perryman also looks to increase work with diverse vendors, specifically groups that are historically marginalized. More than just checking a DE&I box, she sees an opportunity to strengthen the program through inclusion. During her tenure, she continuously models a commitment to driving an enduring program with innovation, collaboration and inclusion at its core.