Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry Project & External Operations Manager
Cytokinetics
August 25, 2026
Remote friendly (San Francisco Bay Area)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
In This Role You Will
Lead Discovery Projects:
- Lead chemistry strategy for one or more cardiovascular and/or neuromuscular discovery programs, translating target profiles into design–make–test–analyze plans that meet program milestones.
- Own program chemistry timelines, deliverables, and go/no-go decisions; integrate input from biology, DMPK, computational chemistry, and other functions; anticipate risks and develop contingency plans.
- Represent chemistry programs in cross-functional project teams; present progress, risks, and strategic recommendations to leadership and governance committees.
Set CRO Strategy & Relationship Management:
- Own medicinal chemistry CRO engagement strategy; ensure partnerships meet scientific, timeline, and budget objectives.
- Set clear expectations and performance goals with CRO partners and hold them accountable to agreed metrics.
- Serve as primary point of contact and escalation for chemistry CRO matters across programs.
Drive Productivity & Alignment:
- Establish KPIs and governance structures to monitor and continuously improve CRO productivity and quality.
- Align internal cross-functional teams with external partners on expectations, hand-offs, and communication.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks and communication gaps to maximize output and minimize rework.
Provide Scientific and Technical Leadership:
- Provide scientific leadership to internal teams and CRO chemistry teams supporting discovery programs.
- Guide synthetic routes, compound design, and SAR strategy to optimize potency, selectivity, and ADME/PK properties.
- Mentor/develop junior scientists and ensure chemistry deliverables meet quality, purity, and timeline standards.
Evaluate and Onboard Vendors:
- Assess prospective vendors across scientific capability, capacity, quality systems, IP protection, communication, and cost.
- Run comparative pilot studies and recommend selection, expansion, or offboarding.
- Lead CRO onboarding (scope, contracting support, and integration with internal workflows).
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry and 10+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery, or equivalent advanced degree + industry experience.
- Track record leading multidisciplinary programs from hit-to-lead through candidate nomination.
- Hands-on medicinal chemistry expertise (compound design, synthetic strategy, SAR-driven lead optimization).
- Strong judgment and strategic thinking; ability to set direction and make decisions under uncertainty.
- Deep CRO landscape knowledge (major/emerging domestic and international partners).
- Experience managing CRO chemistry teams/external partnerships across multiple concurrent programs.
- Experience evaluating vendors and running comparative/simultaneous pilots.
- Demonstrated leadership: cross-functional influence without direct authority; mentoring/managing.
Preferred Experience:
- Cardiovascular drug discovery and/or related areas (muscle biology, metabolic, small-molecule modulators).
- Experience balancing internal leadership with outsourced execution.
- Familiarity with vendor contracting, budgeting, and cost management.
- Coordination with CROs across US and international time zones/cultures (Europe/Asia).
Pay/Benefits (as stated): $205,110–$239,925 base salary (South San Francisco, CA); plus equity (stock options and/or RSUs), comprehensive health/dental/vision/life/disability, 401(k) with match, learning/wellness stipends, and paid time off.
Lead Discovery Projects:
- Lead chemistry strategy for one or more cardiovascular and/or neuromuscular discovery programs, translating target profiles into design–make–test–analyze plans that meet program milestones.
- Own program chemistry timelines, deliverables, and go/no-go decisions; integrate input from biology, DMPK, computational chemistry, and other functions; anticipate risks and develop contingency plans.
- Represent chemistry programs in cross-functional project teams; present progress, risks, and strategic recommendations to leadership and governance committees.
Set CRO Strategy & Relationship Management:
- Own medicinal chemistry CRO engagement strategy; ensure partnerships meet scientific, timeline, and budget objectives.
- Set clear expectations and performance goals with CRO partners and hold them accountable to agreed metrics.
- Serve as primary point of contact and escalation for chemistry CRO matters across programs.
Drive Productivity & Alignment:
- Establish KPIs and governance structures to monitor and continuously improve CRO productivity and quality.
- Align internal cross-functional teams with external partners on expectations, hand-offs, and communication.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks and communication gaps to maximize output and minimize rework.
Provide Scientific and Technical Leadership:
- Provide scientific leadership to internal teams and CRO chemistry teams supporting discovery programs.
- Guide synthetic routes, compound design, and SAR strategy to optimize potency, selectivity, and ADME/PK properties.
- Mentor/develop junior scientists and ensure chemistry deliverables meet quality, purity, and timeline standards.
Evaluate and Onboard Vendors:
- Assess prospective vendors across scientific capability, capacity, quality systems, IP protection, communication, and cost.
- Run comparative pilot studies and recommend selection, expansion, or offboarding.
- Lead CRO onboarding (scope, contracting support, and integration with internal workflows).
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry and 10+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery, or equivalent advanced degree + industry experience.
- Track record leading multidisciplinary programs from hit-to-lead through candidate nomination.
- Hands-on medicinal chemistry expertise (compound design, synthetic strategy, SAR-driven lead optimization).
- Strong judgment and strategic thinking; ability to set direction and make decisions under uncertainty.
- Deep CRO landscape knowledge (major/emerging domestic and international partners).
- Experience managing CRO chemistry teams/external partnerships across multiple concurrent programs.
- Experience evaluating vendors and running comparative/simultaneous pilots.
- Demonstrated leadership: cross-functional influence without direct authority; mentoring/managing.
Preferred Experience:
- Cardiovascular drug discovery and/or related areas (muscle biology, metabolic, small-molecule modulators).
- Experience balancing internal leadership with outsourced execution.
- Familiarity with vendor contracting, budgeting, and cost management.
- Coordination with CROs across US and international time zones/cultures (Europe/Asia).
Pay/Benefits (as stated): $205,110–$239,925 base salary (South San Francisco, CA); plus equity (stock options and/or RSUs), comprehensive health/dental/vision/life/disability, 401(k) with match, learning/wellness stipends, and paid time off.