Executive Director, Head of Toxicology
Centessa Pharmaceuticals
June 27, 2026
Remote
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Description of Role
Centessa Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Director/Head of Toxicology to provide scientific and strategic leadership for nonclinical safety across discovery and development programs, with an emphasis on small-molecule therapeutics. Leads toxicology and safety pharmacology strategy to support target selection, lead optimization, IND-enabling activities, and clinical advancement. Reports to SVP, Nonclinical & Translational Development; partners with cross-functional teams and represents nonclinical safety in regulatory interactions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of toxicologists and technical/operational staff.
- Define and execute nonclinical safety strategies across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages.
- Provide toxicology and safety pharmacology input to cross-functional development teams.
- Provide cross-functional oversight across Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical Sciences, and Clinical Pharmacology.
- Serve as primary nonclinical representative on Program Development Teams (PDTs) and at internal/external governance; present to regulatory authorities.
- Design, oversee, and interpret GLP, non-GLP, investigative, and in vitro toxicology studies.
- Develop safety strategies for new targets and platform technologies; oversee internal and CRO studies.
- Ensure scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery of nonclinical outputs.
- Author and critically review toxicology sections of regulatory documents (e.g., pre-IND, IND, IBs).
- Present nonclinical safety data and risk assessments; support product defense and regulatory submissions.
Qualifications / Required
- PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM, or related discipline; board certification (e.g., DABT, ERT) required.
- 18+ years in pharma/biotech R&D with nonclinical and regulatory toxicology.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $320,000–$350,000; discretionary annual bonus.
- Benefits: 401(k), company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life, generous PTO, health and wellness program.
Work Location
- Remote (US), occasional travel.
Position: Full-Time, Exempt
Centessa Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Director/Head of Toxicology to provide scientific and strategic leadership for nonclinical safety across discovery and development programs, with an emphasis on small-molecule therapeutics. Leads toxicology and safety pharmacology strategy to support target selection, lead optimization, IND-enabling activities, and clinical advancement. Reports to SVP, Nonclinical & Translational Development; partners with cross-functional teams and represents nonclinical safety in regulatory interactions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of toxicologists and technical/operational staff.
- Define and execute nonclinical safety strategies across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages.
- Provide toxicology and safety pharmacology input to cross-functional development teams.
- Provide cross-functional oversight across Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical Sciences, and Clinical Pharmacology.
- Serve as primary nonclinical representative on Program Development Teams (PDTs) and at internal/external governance; present to regulatory authorities.
- Design, oversee, and interpret GLP, non-GLP, investigative, and in vitro toxicology studies.
- Develop safety strategies for new targets and platform technologies; oversee internal and CRO studies.
- Ensure scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery of nonclinical outputs.
- Author and critically review toxicology sections of regulatory documents (e.g., pre-IND, IND, IBs).
- Present nonclinical safety data and risk assessments; support product defense and regulatory submissions.
Qualifications / Required
- PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM, or related discipline; board certification (e.g., DABT, ERT) required.
- 18+ years in pharma/biotech R&D with nonclinical and regulatory toxicology.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $320,000–$350,000; discretionary annual bonus.
- Benefits: 401(k), company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life, generous PTO, health and wellness program.
Work Location
- Remote (US), occasional travel.
Position: Full-Time, Exempt