Executive Director, Toxicology
Centessa Pharmaceuticals
August 21, 2026
On-site
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor toxicology and technical/operational staff.
- Define and execute nonclinical safety strategies across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages.
- Provide expert toxicology and safety pharmacology input to cross-functional teams.
- Lead integrated nonclinical sub-teams with cross-functional oversight (Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology).
- Serve as primary nonclinical representative on Program Development Teams and in internal governance/external forums, including regulatory interactions.
- Design, oversee, and interpret GLP, non-GLP, investigative, and in vitro toxicology studies.
- Develop safety strategies for new targets, lead optimization, and platform technologies.
- Oversee internal and CRO toxicology/safety pharmacology studies; ensure scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
- Author/critically review toxicology sections of regulatory documents (pre-IND/IND/IBs).
- Present data and risk assessments; support product defense and regulatory submissions.
Qualifications
- PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM, or related; board certification (e.g., DABT, ERT) preferred.
- 18+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech R&D with nonclinical and regulatory toxicology.
- Expertise in small-molecule programs (discovery through IND-enabling/early clinical).
- Strong knowledge of GLP guidelines.
- Experience leading/mentoring toxicology teams in matrix environments.
- Extensive global regulatory submission experience; experience engaging FDA/EMA.
- Strong ability to integrate complex datasets across toxicology, pathology, DMPK, and pharmacology; CRO oversight experience.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $175,000–$275,000; discretionary annual bonus; 401(k), medical/dental/vision/life insurance, generous PTO, health & wellness.
Work Location & Role
- US-based with occasional travel; Full-Time, Exempt.
- Lead and mentor toxicology and technical/operational staff.
- Define and execute nonclinical safety strategies across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages.
- Provide expert toxicology and safety pharmacology input to cross-functional teams.
- Lead integrated nonclinical sub-teams with cross-functional oversight (Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology).
- Serve as primary nonclinical representative on Program Development Teams and in internal governance/external forums, including regulatory interactions.
- Design, oversee, and interpret GLP, non-GLP, investigative, and in vitro toxicology studies.
- Develop safety strategies for new targets, lead optimization, and platform technologies.
- Oversee internal and CRO toxicology/safety pharmacology studies; ensure scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
- Author/critically review toxicology sections of regulatory documents (pre-IND/IND/IBs).
- Present data and risk assessments; support product defense and regulatory submissions.
Qualifications
- PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM, or related; board certification (e.g., DABT, ERT) preferred.
- 18+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech R&D with nonclinical and regulatory toxicology.
- Expertise in small-molecule programs (discovery through IND-enabling/early clinical).
- Strong knowledge of GLP guidelines.
- Experience leading/mentoring toxicology teams in matrix environments.
- Extensive global regulatory submission experience; experience engaging FDA/EMA.
- Strong ability to integrate complex datasets across toxicology, pathology, DMPK, and pharmacology; CRO oversight experience.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $175,000–$275,000; discretionary annual bonus; 401(k), medical/dental/vision/life insurance, generous PTO, health & wellness.
Work Location & Role
- US-based with occasional travel; Full-Time, Exempt.