Director, Small Molecule Discovery

Southern Research•Birmingham, AL

10h

About The Position

Southern Research is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Small Molecule Discovery to provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of internal and client drug discovery initiatives. The successful candidate will strategically oversee and actively contribute to innovative small molecule discovery projects, guiding programs concept to clinical candidate nomination and IND submission.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields. Strong preference for synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry background.
Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in a leadership role in pharmaceutical or biotech settings.
Demonstrated track record of successfully advancing small molecule programs to IND submissions.
Expert knowledge in medicinal chemistry, synthetic methodology, SAR, DMPK, and pharmacology.
Extensive experience interfacing and coordinating with external partners including CROs and clients.
Proven leadership and management skills, including the ability to mentor teams and develop talent.
Exceptional strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with FDA/EMA regulatory requirements and processes.
Experience with patenting, licensing, and intellectual property strategy.
Strong publication and patent record demonstrating success in drug discovery.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy and marketing plan to establish Southern Research's Small Molecule Discovery Center as a world-class, US-based drug discovery service, capable of identifying novel treatments and advancing drug candidates.
Collaborate closely with Leaders and SMEs in Medicinal Chemistry, High-Throughput Screening (HTS), and Preclinical Services to build robust internal capabilities, identify necessary external partnerships to fill critical gaps essential for successful drug discovery.
Drive scientific strategy, direction, and operational execution of small molecule drug discovery programs to align with overall organizational objectives for both commercial and government contracts.
Lead and expand artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drug discovery initiatives through strategic partnerships with external technology providers.
Interface and collaborate effectively with external clients, academic institutions, and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) or Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) to streamline drug discovery projects and foster productive scientific relationships.
Direct project management, including resource allocation, budgeting, timelines, risk assessment, and troubleshooting to ensure efficient progress and successful outcomes.
Maintain deep knowledge of competitive landscapes, industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory standards that influence drug discovery practices.
Secure market intelligence to competitively build programs of appropriate scope and price to win business.
Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and oversee intellectual property strategy, patenting, and related commercialization activities.
Actively participate in business development activities, supporting client identification and acquisition through strategic presentations and proposals to strengthen the center's market position.
Support the growth and expansion of the Medicinal Chemistry department and its capabilities.