Associate Director, DPDS Programs & Business Operations at J & J Innovative Med

Feb 20, 2024

Brittany Witherspoon is an Associate Director: DPDS Programs & Business Operations at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. She leads early career development programs and strategic operations for their discovery organization to ensure that their business is running efficiently.

What is the highest degree you have earned and what can you tell us about your academic path?

I was awarded my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Indiana University. I have experience is enantioselective synthesis and its applications towards complex molecules.

Where do you work now and what is your company about?

I work at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. We are a leading organization in pharmaceutical innovation, where our first priority is to get the best medicines to patients.

How did you first learn about the company?

I’ve always known about J&J, but interest in joining the company surged while I attended graduate school when I came across The Credo.

What do you like most about the company?

I love working at J&J because of the people I get to collaborate with on a daily basis. The exchange of great ideas and information from people of different backgrounds has been instrumental in my career development and positive experience.

What skills make you successful in your role and why did you choose this role?

My people skills have made me successful in my role. I have been a huge champion of Emotional Intelligence in the workplace, and since working to improve my EQ, my day to day has gotten increasingly rewarding.

How do you define success?

I define success as high impact. Whenever I have the opportunity to go above and beyond, I aim to do so in order to positively influence the projects and people around me and to ensure that the long-term impact is in the benefit of both employees and our business.

What's the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

The most fulfilling part of my job is mentoring & coaching early-career scientists. Being able to provide feedback based on experience and my genuine interest in seeing others succeed has made every day at work a fulfilling one.

What advice do you have for students and job seekers?

My advice for students is to work on effective communication. It is at the center of work and life. The better you become at communication, the stronger you become at advocating for yourself, your science, and other people. For job seekers, my advice would be to network far and wide! Every day is an opportunity to network. A small connection or conversation can turn into the opportunity of a lifetime.

What book did you read last?

The Bible