Head of Research & Development, Drug Development Group

Tracking Code

5278

Job Description

PATH is an international nonprofit organization that transforms global health through innovation. We take an entrepreneurial approach to developing and delivering high-impact, low-cost solutions, from lifesaving treatments, vaccines and devices to collaborative programs with communities. Through our work in more than 70 countries, PATH and our partners empower people to achieve their full potential.

PATH’s Drug Development Global Program grew from our affiliation in late 2011 with the nonprofit drug development group OneWorld Health. We’re working to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable new treatments for diseases disproportionately affecting people in the developing world. By combining entrepreneurial energy, pharmaceutical expertise, and an innovative product development partnership model, we challenge the assumption that pharmaceutical research and development is too expensive to create the new medicines that the developing world desperately needs.

We are seeking a motivated Research Scientist with a PhD degree in medicinal chemistry or equivalent to be our Head of Research & Development for the Drug Development Group. This individual will have direct responsibility for all Research and Development (R&D) activities of the organization, addressing the development of the existing product pipeline, and leading the scientific efforts to evaluate other product development opportunities from the scientific perspective.

This role is a key interface between the leadership and employees within PATH, as well as a variety of external collaborators including funders, universities, nonprofit entities, NGO’s, clinical development organizations, governments, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.  Duties and responsibilities include:

• Strategic direction: establish and validate the strategic R&D agenda and implement programs to ensure the successful development of promising product candidates and a balanced pipeline.
• Leadership: work with a highly talented group of professionals to drive the conception, design, planning and coordination of all project activities to ensure successful achievement of established milestones and financial targets. 
• Scientific collaborations and partnerships: work with other executives and advisors to identify new technologies, opportunities and partners that fit within PATH’s Drug Development Group strategic framework. Work closely with Business Development to help establish and support these relationships for the long-term.
• R&D counsel: provide executive direction, advice and consultation on a variety of complex R&D and portfolio matters to the management team. 
• Chair the portfolio strategy committee.
• Ensure the implementation of R&D activities to meet quality, compliance, and regulatory standards.
• Contribute to the development of regulatory strategies.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated leadership capability of a diversified staff in a complex and sophisticated research and development environment in large pharmaceutical companies and in a smaller, more nimble, and less resourced organization.
• Ability to integrate scientific research with the principles of effective drug development.
• Ability to manage challenges of highly complex portfolio of  R&D projects which require prompt and analytical decision-making.
• Expertise in drug development, including regulatory, processes from lead generation to clinical testing.
• Ability to assess scientific probability of success of new development opportunities, based on in-depth understanding of existing medicines, as well as basic scientific knowledge.
• Familiarity with global health issues in the developing world, and knowledge in the biology of infectious, including diarrheal diseases.
• Ability to effectively network with peers in the scientific community and pharmaceutical industry, strong professional presence in dealing with partners, funders, collaborators.
• Strong people management capability, ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled professionals, and build strong R&D teams.
• Able to represent the organization at conferences, etc. with strong speaking and communication skills.

Required Experience

Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or equivalent with at least fifteen years of broad and diversified experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Extensive experience in all phases of drug development, including the regulatory processes involved in drug approval. Executive level management of diversified and professional staff in pharmaceutical industry. Experience in establishing broad R&D strategy and productive collaborations with industry partners. Experience representing an organization to professional forums, regulatory agencies, and industry associations.

PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Location

South San Francisco, CA, US.

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