Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Development

Neurocrine Biosciences • San Diego, CA

1d • $231,500 - $316,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, and immunological disorders. This role recommends a vision and leads the strategic direction of the pharmaceutical development function, overseeing formulation, drug product development, manufacturing readiness, and CMC innovation across the portfolio. The position ensures efficient progression of assets from early development through commercialization while aligning with corporate goals, regulatory requirements, and industry trends. The Executive Director serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on development strategy, manufacturing technologies, and portfolio decisions, while building organizational capabilities and developing future leaders. This role drives cross-functional initiatives and external collaborations, fostering innovation, operational excellence, and a strong patient-focused culture. It partners with leaders across Clinical, Regulatory, Operations, Quality, Safety, and Commercial to ensure CMC strategies, risks, and mitigation plans are communicated in support of global filings and approvals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological, Chemical, or Pharmaceutical sciences/engineering or related field AND 16+ years of applicable experience OR Master’s degree in Biological, Chemical, or Pharmaceutical sciences/engineering or related field AND 14+ years of applicable experience OR Ph.D. degree in Biological, Chemical, or Pharmaceutical sciences/engineering or related field AND 12+ years of applicable experience.
• Recognized internally and externally as a leader in pharmaceutical development, formulation sciences, and drug product development.
• Acts as a “trusted advisor” across the company and possesses industry-leading knowledge.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing long-term functional strategies that drive portfolio advancement and organizational performance.
• Extensive expertise in formulation development, process development, technology transfer, process validation, manufacturing sciences, regulatory strategy, and commercialization readiness.
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership and shape decisions affecting portfolio strategy, resource allocation, and organizational priorities.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory expectations, quality systems, cGMP requirements, and evolving industry trends.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to balance scientific innovation, operational execution, risk management, and investment priorities.
• Experience leading large, complex, cross-functional organizations and developing high-performing leaders and teams.
• Demonstrated success managing strategic external partnerships, CDMOs, technology providers, and key industry stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, including interactions with executive leadership, regulatory agencies, external partners, and scientific organizations.
• Track record of driving transformational change, organizational capability building, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Recognized ability to anticipate future business and industry trends and translate them into actionable strategic plans.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering innovation, developing talent, and creating a culture aligned with the company's mission and values.

Nice To Haves

• The company is committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute the long-term vision, strategy, and operating model for Pharmaceutical Development, ensuring alignment with portfolio objectives and corporate strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership for formulation development, drug product process development, technology transfer, process validation, manufacturing readiness, and lifecycle management across development programs.
• Serve as a key member of the Technical Operations leadership teams, influencing portfolio decisions, resource allocation, risk mitigation strategies, and investment priorities.
• Drive innovation through evaluation and implementation of emerging formulation technologies, advanced manufacturing approaches, digital tools, and external scientific partnerships.
• Lead organization-wide initiatives to enhance Pharmaceutical Development capabilities, operational excellence, scalability, and regulatory readiness.
• Provide executive oversight for development and commercialization strategies for sterile, parenteral, combination product, and other advanced dosage form programs.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Technical Operations, Clinical Development, Program Leadership, Supply Chain, and Commercial organizations to develop and drive integrated development and execution strategies.
• Anticipate and address complex scientific, technical, operational, and business challenges with broad organizational impact.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with CDMOs, technology partners, regulatory agencies, academic institutions, and industry experts.
• Represent the company externally through scientific publications, conference presentations, industry forums, advisory boards, and strategic collaborations.
• Develop organizational talent through coaching, succession planning, leadership development, and creation of a high-performing and inclusive culture.
• Establish enterprise metrics and performance frameworks that ensure execution excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across the Pharmaceutical Development function.

Benefits

• Retirement savings plan (with company match)
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree