Senior Director – Head of Research, Early Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Develop scalable, top-tier project management capabilities for discovery and early pipeline development.

• Lead process optimization from Candidate Drug Nomination to First-in-Human clinical trials.

• Ensure effective cross-functional project execution in Oncology, Neuroscience, and emerging Rare Disease indications.

• Foster high-performing project managers who serve as operational leaders for drug programs.

• Implement the Orchestra Team Operating Model across early-stage project teams.

• Oversee early portfolio risks, dependencies, opportunities, timelines, milestones, and budgets.

• Collaborate with Governance and Portfolio Management to align governance templates and project tracking.

• Work alongside Chief Scientific Officers, Corporate Strategy, Governance, and Finance on prioritization and portfolio decisions.

• Partner with Late Development Project Leads to facilitate transitions, continuity, and resource allocation.

• Directly manage, mentor, and develop global early development project managers.

• Distribute resources across early development programs and offer cross-portfolio support.

• Collaborate with R&D Finance on budget formulation, forecasting, and financial governance.

• Promote the use of Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle for planning, tracking, dashboards, and financial analysis.

• Personally manage high-priority projects and engage in hands-on project work as necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• Significant progressive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

• Extensive direct involvement in early drug development from Discovery and Pre-clinical stages to IND enabling and FIH.

• Demonstrated experience in line-managing, coaching, and developing senior project/program managers.

• Capability to lead, align, and influence executive-level scientists, C-suite leaders, and scientific governance bodies without direct authority.

• Practical experience and professional proficiency with Planisware, Smartsheet, and Oracle.

• Proven, referenceable success in optimizing drug development pathways, driving process redesign, and reducing pre-clinical cycle times.

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or a related field is required.

• PMP or equivalent professional project management certification is advantageous.

🏝️ Benefits

• Discretionary annual cash bonus or incentive compensation.

• Discretionary equity grants through the Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.

• Medical insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• 401k retirement savings plan.

• Flexible paid vacation.