Chief Scientific Officer

Chief Scientific Officer (PR/581841) San Francisco, California

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Salary: USD300000 - USD400000 per year

About the Company

Our client is a global biopharmaceutical organization with a strong commercial footprint, multiple approved products on the market, and an expanding portfolio across preclinical, clinical and pre‑commercial assets. The company integrates deep scientific expertise with global development and manufacturing capabilities, advancing innovative therapies across multiple therapeutic areas.

The incoming CSO will play a central role in shaping the next era of innovation as the organization continues to scale, optimize its pipeline, and bring additional therapies toward approval.

Role Overview

The Chief Scientific Officer will serve as the scientific architect for the company’s global R&D strategy. The CSO will oversee research operations, preclinical and clinical development strategy, scientific governance, and external innovation initiatives. This leader will ensure scientific excellence, operational rigor, and strategic alignment with corporate objectives across all programs — from discovery through late‑stage development and commercial interface.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, evolve, and implement a unified scientific strategy spanning discovery, preclinical development, translational science, and clinical integration.
• Prioritize pipeline assets and shape long‑term portfolio direction based on scientific opportunity, unmet medical need, and competitive landscape.
• Lead all R&D operations, ensuring execution excellence across cross‑functional scientific teams.
• Direct early research, IND‑enabling studies, and scientific components of clinical development in partnership with Clinical Development and Regulatory teams.
• Guide development and optimization of internal capabilities and external partnerships (CROs, academic labs, platforms).
• Ensure scientific rigor, data integrity, adherence to ICH‑GCP, and regulatory compliance across programs.
• Oversee scientific review committees, development decision points, and risk/mitigation planning.
• Evaluate in‑licensing and out‑licensing opportunities, emerging technologies, and platform innovations.
• Lead technical due diligence for acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
• Serve as scientific ambassador with regulatory agencies, external investigators, professional societies, and industry partners.
• Build, mentor, and scale high‑performing scientific teams across global sites.
• Manage scientific budgets and allocate resources across programs to maximize impact.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align scientific priorities with corporate strategy.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• PhD, PharmD, or MD in a relevant scientific discipline. (Organic Chemistry is preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive senior leadership experience in biotech or biopharma, spanning research, preclinical development, and/or translational science.
• Demonstrated success advancing programs through IND, early development, and/or late‑stage development, ideally with experience supporting marketed products.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA) and experience contributing to major submissions (IND/NDA).
• Track record of managing complex scientific organizations and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience evaluating or integrating external innovation (platforms, in‑licensing, BD), including technical due diligence.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to represent the company publicly in scientific, clinical, and partnership settings.