Associate Director/Director, Chemistry (ADC & Covalent Biologics) (San Diego)

About Enlaza Therapeutics

Enlaza Therapeutics is a biotech company developing an innovative synthetic biology platform to create a disruptive new class of biologic therapeutics. We are dedicated to the development of these novel therapies to help patients suffering from cancer and other serious diseases.

Role Description

We are seeking a highly motivated AD/Director, Chemistry to lead chemistry efforts supporting the discovery and advancement of Enlaza's therapeutic pipeline.

The successful candidate will provide scientific and strategic leadership across linker-payload design, expansion into new mechanistic payload classes, and drug candidate optimization. This individual will drive key research programs, manage internal and external scientific activities, and collaborate closely with colleagues in biology, pharmacology, protein engineering, translational sciences, and CMC to advance molecules from discovery through development candidate nomination.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in medicinal chemistry, bioconjugation, and ADC technologies with demonstrated leadership in multidisciplinary drug discovery teams.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership

• Develop chemistry strategies for linker, payload, and conjugation optimization to achieve desired pharmacologic and developability profiles.
• Guide interpretation of structure-activity relationship (SAR), PK/PD, efficacy, and safety data to accelerate candidate optimization.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, payloads, linker systems, and conjugation approaches relevant to Enlaza's pipeline.
• Technical expert and strategic advisor across multiple research programs.

Program Leadership

• Represent Chemistry on cross-functional project teams and contribute to overall program strategy.
• Drive research plans, timelines, milestone achievement, and resource allocation.
• Assess scientific opportunities, risks, and implement new technology development.
• Support transition of discovery assets into preclinical development and CMC activities.
• Contribute to intellectual property strategy and invention disclosures.

External Collaboration Management and Communication

• Manage CROs, CDMOs, academic collaborators, and strategic partners.
• Oversee outsourced chemistry and analytical activities, ensuring high-quality and timely execution.
• Evaluate external technologies and partnership opportunities.
• Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Effectively communicate complex concepts to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, patent applications, and regulatory-supporting documentation.

Qualifications

Required Education and Technical Experience

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline with >8 years of relevant industry experience (or B.S./M.S. with >14 years) in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug discovery.
• Demonstrated success advancing molecules from discovery through candidate selection.
• Extensive experience in ADCs, linker-payload chemistry, bioconjugation, and deep understanding of ADC mechanisms of action and limitations.
• Strong knowledge of medicinal chemistry fundamentals, payload pharmacology, and therapeutic index optimization.
• Experience with analytical characterization methods including LC-MS, HPLC, SEC, HIC, CE-SDS, and related techniques.
• Proven ability to manage external collaborators and outsourced research.
• Understanding of current and emerging technologies in targeted therapeutic delivery.

Preferred Experience

• Track record of novel ADC linker-payload discovery, with particular emphasis on emerging cytotoxic MOAs and degrader technologies.
• Experience with novel biologic formats, dual payload conjugation, or linker-chelator/radiometal pairs for targeted radiotherapeutics.
• Knowledge of translational pharmacology, toxicology, and developability considerations for conjugated therapeutics.
• Experience supporting IND-enabling activities and early development programs.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive compensation package with stock options, the company also offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families, which includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental disability insurance.

Job Type:

Full-time

Annual Salary:

$175,000-260,000

Supplemental Pay Types:

Annual Bonus – 15-17.5%

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Flexible vacation
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Relocation assistance (if eligible)
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Year-end shutdown

Enlaza Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer committed to scientific excellence, innovation, and improving the lives of patients through transformative medicines.