Director, Discovery Research Scientific Insights
About The Position
The Director, Discovery Research Scientific Insights is a senior scientific and strategic partner to the Head of Discovery Research Program Management & External Partnerships and the Senior Vice President, Discovery Research. This role delivers rapid scientific assessment, portfolio insight, and decision-ready recommendations on high-priority research, partnership, and executive matters. This role is accountable for providing independent scientific assessments, synthesizing cross-functional input, and delivering clear recommendations to senior Discovery Research leadership. The scope includes external opportunities, partnered programs, portfolio issues, and other high-priority scientific topics requiring rapid evaluation and executive communication. The role requires deep knowledge of the Discovery Research continuum, from target and disease biology through discovery strategy, candidate progression, translational planning, and transition to IND/early clinical development, to identify risks, frame options, and support leadership decisions.
Requirements
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline; PhD preferred or equivalent scientific training and experience.
- 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D, including substantial Discovery Research experience.
- Deep knowledge of the drug discovery continuum through IND-enabling and/or early clinical development.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate scientific opportunities and translate complex data into recommendations for senior leaders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level scientific communications. Experience supporting executive reviews, governance forums, or high-stakes scientific communications.
- Exceptional scientific judgment, strategic thinking, and ability to operate effectively under ambiguity.
- Extensive experience evaluating external innovation, research collaborations, or partnered programs.
- Broad scientific curiosity and the ability to rapidly learn, understand, and evaluate science across therapeutic areas, modalities, and emerging topics.
Responsibilities
- Partner with senior Discovery Research leadership on high-priority scientific, portfolio, and executive matters. Responsible for questioning and advising the business to create the best possible outcome to complex scientific issues or projects.
- Bring rigorous conceptual thinking to rapidly assess urgent and complex scientific questions by framing issues, engaging experts, and synthesizing recommendations.
- Leverage deep end-to-end drug discovery expertise to evaluate external research opportunities, including scientific rationale, feasibility, differentiation, risk, and strategic fit.
- Translate complex or incomplete scientific information into concise, decision-ready summaries, options, and clear recommendations.
- Maintain visibility across all Discovery-stage external partnerships, including program status, milestones, emerging issues, and leadership decision points.
- Provide external portfolio insights and executive updates that are accurate, analytically rigorous, and actionable.
- Drive cross-functional alignment with alliance managers and internal stakeholders to surface risks, opportunities, and recommendations for external collaborations.
- Support time-sensitive leadership communications with clear, balanced, and scientifically sound content.
- Anticipate emerging scientific or partnership issues and develop options to enable timely leadership decisions.
Benefits
- paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick)
- medical/dental/vision insurance
- 401(k)
- long-term incentive programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
