Scientific Director

Bristol Myers Squibb • San Diego, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an experienced medicinal chemist to lead and contribute to the drug discovery portfolio in the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center within its San Diego Discovery Chemistry group. The role is part of Global Discovery Chemistry, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences, and focuses on rational design of new agents for potential treatment of diverse oncology indications. The successful candidate will apply modern drug design principles to medicinal chemistry challenges in collaboration with a broad group of scientists.

The Scientific Director will lead end-to-end medicinal chemistry programs from discovery through IND, advance novel compounds using integrated structural biology, ADME, and computational insights, and help set scientific, strategic, and operational direction for the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization. As a member of the San Diego Chemistry Leadership team, the director will contribute to portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and senior leadership decision-making. The role also includes building and mentoring scientific teams and communicating program strategy, results, opportunities, and risks to senior leaders and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry and 8 or more years of pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience; or M.S. and 12 or more years; or B.S. and 15 or more years.
• At least 6 years of program leadership experience across drug discovery phases, from program initiation through development candidate identification.
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting strategy, key data, issues, and accomplishments to organizational colleagues.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in protein degradation or induced proximity.
• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with 12 or more years of pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience.
• At least 6 years of program leadership experience across all drug discovery phases.
• Chemistry group leadership experience with 5 or more team members as direct and indirect reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end medicinal chemistry programs from discovery through IND, driving strategy, execution, and delivery of oncology assets.
• Design and advance novel compounds using modern drug design approaches and integrating structural biology, ADME, and computational insights.
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams to accelerate decision-making, shape portfolio strategy, and deliver therapeutics.
• Build, mentor, and lead scientific teams, fostering innovation, accountability, and scientific excellence within and beyond direct reporting lines.
• Communicate program strategy, data, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Help direct the scientific, strategic, and operational work of the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization, including portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and senior leadership representation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit plans, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) without a set accrual limit for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, subject to manager approval.
• 11 paid company holidays each year.
• For specified employee groups, 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires, subject to manager approval, 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.
• Eligible employees may receive an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• Eligible employees may be offered discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director