Scientific Director - San Diego CA

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network • San Diego, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Scientific Director will lead and contribute to the drug discovery portfolio in the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center within the San Diego Discovery Chemistry group. This role is part of Global Discovery Chemistry, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences, and focuses on applying modern medicinal chemistry and drug design principles to develop agents for potential treatment of oncology indications.

The successful candidate will lead and contribute to a team of scientists, collaborating broadly across disciplines to solve medicinal chemistry challenges. The role also provides scientific, strategic, and operational leadership for the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization, including portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and participation in senior leadership decisions.

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 to 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.
• Chemistry group leadership of 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, 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.
• Communicate program strategy, data, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• As a member of the San Diego Chemistry Leadership team, guide the scientific, strategic, and operational direction of the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization.
• Contribute to portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and senior leadership decision-making.

What This Job Offers

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