Executive Director, Toxicology

Exelixis•Alameda, CA
•$285,000 - $405,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director, Toxicology leads a team of toxicologists who develop and implement nonclinical safety strategies for small and large molecule programs in an inter-departmental, project team-based structure. Establish and maintain the vision, strategy, scientific standards and operating model for the Toxicology function to support organizational objectives and portfolio growth.

Requirements

  • PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM or related discipline and a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; or, Equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Extensive experience leading toxicology, nonclinical safety and safety pharmacology activities in a regulated biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.
  • Experience supporting discovery, IND-enabling, clinical development, and global regulatory submission activities.
  • Experience managing CROs, external partners, cross-functional project teams and people leaders.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of nonclinical safety assessment, toxicology, safety pharmacology, DMPK, GLP regulations, global regulatory expectations and drug development from discovery through registration.
  • Advanced leadership, communication, collaboration, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making and influencing skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively in complex matrix environments, manage ambiguity, assess risk, and communicate scientific recommendations to senior leaders, regulatory agencies, development partners and cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

  • DABT or equivalent board certification preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Toxicology strategy for small molecule and biotherapeutic programs from discovery through registration.
  • Define integrated nonclinical safety, safety pharmacology, toxicokinetic, pharmacokinetic, and drug metabolism strategies that support candidate selection, IND-enabling activities, clinical development, and global regulatory submissions.
  • Oversee the design, conduct, monitoring, interpretation and reporting of GLP and non-GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology and investigative toxicology studies conducted internally or through CROs.
  • Represent Toxicology on project teams, governance forums, regulatory meetings and development partner interactions; communicate scientific rationale, risk assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Author, review and defend nonclinical pharmacology, toxicology and safety sections of regulatory documents, including pre-IND packages, INDs, CTAs, IBs, NDAs, BLAs and global marketing applications.
  • Partner with Discovery, Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Sciences, Pathology, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, CMC, Quality Assurance, CROs, and external collaborators to drive integrated development plans and risk-based decision-making.
  • Manage CRO and external partner relationships to ensure study quality, compliance, timelines, budgets, data integrity and timely delivery of nonclinical outputs.
  • Identify and resolve nonclinical safety issues that may affect program progression; develop de-risking strategies and recommendations based on scientific, regulatory and portfolio considerations.
  • Develop resource plans, budget forecasts, organizational capabilities and scalable processes to support current and future portfolio needs.
  • Drive external scientific visibility through appropriate publications, presentations, partnerships and participation in relevant scientific forums.
  • Build organizational capability through succession planning, leadership development, talent assessment and creation of a high-performing scientific culture.
  • Performs other duties as assigned
  • Complies with all policies and standards

Benefits

  • 401k plan with generous company contributions
  • group medical, dental and vision coverage
  • life and disability insurance
  • flexible spending accounts
  • discretionary annual bonus program
  • opportunity to purchase company stock
  • long-term incentives
  • 15 accrued vacation days in their first year
  • 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December
  • up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year

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What This Job Offers

Job Type

Full-time

Career Level

Executive

Education Level

Ph.D. or professional degree

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