Director, Drug Discovery (Novel Biologics)

Director, Drug Discovery - Biologics
Location: Boston, MA
Compensation: $220,000-$255,000 + Significant Bonus and Equity + Industry-Leading Benefits Package

A global biopharma leader is seeking an experienced Director, Drug Discovery to take on a high-impact role in advancing biologics programs across multiple modalities, including cell therapies, bispecifics, immune cell engagers, and novel antibody-based therapeutics. This individual will play a critical role in shaping drug discovery strategy, leading functional screening and characterization efforts, and driving data-informed candidate selection for preclinical development.

As a key scientific and strategic leader, this director will oversee a team of 7-10 scientists while also working cross-functionally as a program lead. They will be responsible for integrating discovery insights into broader pipeline decision-making, ensuring seamless progression from target identification through candidate nomination and IND-enabling studies.

This is an opportunity for an established drug discovery leader to drive enterprise-level impact, working across multiple therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology, autoimmune, GI, inflammation, and neuroscience. The role offers broad exposure to cutting-edge biologics and the ability to influence discovery efforts across a rapidly expanding organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead discovery strategy for biologics programs, ensuring functional screening and characterization insights drive candidate selection and advancement.
• Serve as a program lead, spending approximately 30-40% of time working cross-functionally with research, development, and translational teams to align early discovery efforts with broader pipeline goals.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of 7-10 scientists, fostering technical excellence, innovation, and career growth.
• Oversee the implementation of advanced discovery workflows, including high-throughput screening and emerging AI/ML-driven approaches.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate new technologies, therapeutic opportunities, and strategic collaborations that enhance biologics discovery efforts.
• Contribute to long-term organizational growth, playing a key role in the company's ongoing expansion and commitment to delivering multiple IND filings in the coming years.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biology, immunology, pharmacology, cell therapy, or a related field with 12+ years of research experience.
• Industry experience in biologics drug discovery, with a track record of successfully advancing therapeutic candidates from early-stage discovery through IND.
• Strong expertise in biologics screening, functional characterization, and mechanistic assessment of novel drug candidates.
• Leadership experience managing scientific teams, with a demonstrated ability to mentor and develop both Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. researchers.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working alongside research, preclinical, and translational teams to drive data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in biologics modalities such as cell therapies, bispecifics, immune cell engagers, or novel antibody-based platforms.