Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Exelixis•Alameda, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Medicinal Chemistry is a senior-level medicinal chemist who manages a small-molecule drug discovery team. This role provides scientific leadership to chemists designing and synthesizing novel compounds, and advances drug discovery projects in collaboration with biology, DMPK, and safety teams. The Director guides projects from target validation and chemical equity identification through lead optimization and drug candidate selection. The role also includes staff supervision, project and budget management, scientific communication, and adherence to laboratory safety practices. The position works in a fast-paced, evolving team environment that requires reprioritizing projects while meeting timelines and deliverables.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and a minimum of 8 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing as a direct supervisor and in matrix teams.
Proven track record of delivering projects from target identification through optimization to high-quality drug candidates, evidenced by publications and/or patent applications.
Knowledge of drug discovery, including structure-based drug design and related disciplines.
Strong organic and medicinal chemistry bench skills, including detailed knowledge of modern synthetic chemistry techniques, purification methods, and analytical techniques.
Ability to design target compounds and synthetic pathways.
Excellent problem-solving and SAR analysis skills.
Extensive experience conducting research experiments in a medicinal chemistry laboratory and operating general chemistry equipment.
General computer experience, including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
Extensive knowledge of organic and medicinal chemistry techniques, theories, and practices.
Comprehensive understanding of current medicinal chemistry approaches and ability to incorporate them into a drug discovery program.
Extensive knowledge of intellectual property matters related to drug discovery.
Ability to set goals while understanding their priority and impact on programs, departments, and the organization.
Ability to apply advanced scientific and technical principles, theories, and concepts, and contribute to the development of new principles and concepts.
Efficient use of scientific literature and chemical/scientific databases.
Ability to initiate program efforts and work effectively with CRO partners.
Good interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to work well within a team environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Provide scientific and transformative leadership to chemistry team members.
Collaborate with biology, DMPK, and safety teams to advance quality compounds as potential drug candidates.
Drive medicinal chemistry projects from target validation to chemical equity identification, lead optimization, and drug candidate selection.
Participate in and present at project team and departmental research meetings.
Maintain laboratory notebooks in accordance with company policies and practices.
Comply with safe laboratory practices and EH&S guidelines, and promote a culture of laboratory safety.
Contribute to technical documents, patent applications, scientific manuscripts, and conference presentations.
Supervise staff, including hiring, scheduling and assigning work, reviewing performance, and recommending personnel actions and salary changes.
Manage projects and workgroups, including budget procedures.

Benefits

401(k) plan with generous company contributions.
Group medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life and disability insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus program, or a sales-based incentive plan for field sales staff.
Opportunity to purchase company stock.
Long-term incentives.
15 accrued vacation days in the first year.
17 paid holidays, including a company-wide winter shutdown in December.
Up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.