Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Role Summary

Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry to join the leadership team in Boston, MA. Provide strategic guidance and oversight to medicinal chemistry efforts, drive drug discovery initiatives, and ensure progression aligns with company goals. Influence strategic decisions, advance scientific and commercial objectives, and oversee external CRO programs managing medicinal chemistry projects conducted at these organizations.

Responsibilities

• Create business development opportunities that meet the strategic scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs of the organization or specific Therapeutic Area (TA).
• Leadership and Strategy: Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the medicinal chemistry department, aligning with the company's overall goals and objectives.
• Project Management: Oversee the design, execution, and management of medicinal chemistry projects conducted exclusively at CROs, ensuring timely progress and high-quality outcomes.
• Team Development: Mentor and develop a team of internal chemists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and clinical development, to advance drug candidates from discovery through development.
• Innovation: Drive innovation in medicinal chemistry through the integration of new technologies, methodologies, and best practices.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• External Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, industry collaborators, and contract research organizations.

Qualifications

• Required: PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or related discipline with 15+ years of experience in small molecule projects.
• Required: Proven track record of leading successful drug discovery programs, preferably in large pharma.
• Required: Strong leadership and managerial skills with experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Required: Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, drug design, and optimization processes.
• Required: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex scientific concepts.
• Required: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to challenges.
• Required: Proven ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Required: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred: Experience in a leadership role within a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
• Preferred: A proven track record of leading projects that are completely outsourced.
• Preferred: Strong publication record in medicinal chemistry or related fields.
• Preferred: Experience with patent filings and intellectual property management.
• Preferred: Established network within the scientific and pharmaceutical community.

Skills

• Technical: Medicinal chemistry, drug design, optimization processes
• Leadership and collaboration
• Strategic thinking and business development
• Effective communication of complex scientific concepts