Executive Director / Vice President, Discovery / Research

Executive Director / Vice President, Discovery / Research

Confidential Search: Executive Director / Vice President, Discovery/Research

Location: Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Company: Stealth-mode biotechnology venture

Position Summary

A stealth‑mode biotechnology company in Seattle is seeking an accomplished Executive Director or Vice President of Discovery/Research to lead scientific strategy and execution across discovery, preclinical research, and IND‑enabling development for a pipeline of prophylactic monoclonal antibodies targeting viral pathogens.

This executive will serve as the scientific head of research, setting the long‑term discovery vision while ensuring near‑term execution of the company’s lead program through IND. The role demands strong leadership, strategic insight, and deep subject‑matter expertise, paired with a willingness to operate hands‑on within a small, stealth startup environment.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the foundational scientific platform, build a high‑caliber discovery capability, and directly influence value creation at a critical early stage.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Discovery & Research

• Define and articulate the scientific vision for discovery and preclinical research in alignment with company mission and long‑term pipeline goals.
• Build a differentiated discovery strategy for prophylactic monoclonal antibodies, including target selection, mechanistic prioritization, and candidate profiling.
• Create an integrated scientific plan that supports both innovation (new platform capabilities, viral target‑space expansion) and execution (lead optimization and IND readiness).

Ownership of IND‑Enabling Research Strategy

• Serve as the executive scientific leader responsible for aligning discovery research with the critical path to IND and beyond, ensuring all research outputs support regulatory expectations and development timelines.
• Oversee integration of virology, pharmacology, structural/biophysical characterization, PK/PD, nonclinical safety, and CMC considerations into a coherent development plan.
• Lead senior‑level interactions with regulatory consultants and contribute to IND strategy, scientific narrative, data interpretation, and responses to regulatory authorities.

Leadership of Scientific Functions (Internal & External)

• Build and lead a high‑performing research organization, initially through strategic use of CROs, contractors, and academic partnerships, with selective internal hiring over time.
• Mentor and develop scientific staff; instill a culture of rigor, creativity, accountability, and translational thinking.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across research, CMC, clinical strategy, and operations—without reliance on large internal departments.

Virology, Pharmacology & Mechanistic Research Oversight

• Guide experimental strategy for virology and pharmacology, including in vitro and in vivo models, neutralization assays, and mechanistic studies required for candidate differentiation.
• Ensure that research activities support translational hypotheses, dose selection strategies, and safety margins.

Structural & Biophysical Characterization Strategy

• Direct structural and biophysical studies (cryo‑EM, crystallography, SPR/BLI, epitope mapping) that inform antibody engineering, lead selection, and regulatory justification of mechanism.
• Integrate structural insights into overall discovery strategy and development decision‑making.

External Partnerships & Scientific Representation

• Serve as the senior scientific representative in relationships with CROs, academic collaborators, industry partners, and scientific advisors.
• Represent the company’s research strategy in board discussions, investor interactions, and scientific forums as appropriate.

Organizational & Operational Leadership in a Lean Environment

• Establish research operating principles, quality standards, and data‑review processes suited to a small but high‑ambition company.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and strategic resourcing to maximize scientific productivity in a lean setting.

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in Virology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Pharmacology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience with increasing leadership responsibility; prior role(s) at Executive Director, VP, or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Proven track record directing monoclonal antibody discovery and optimization from concept through preclinical development and to BLA.
• Experience leading programs toward IND‑enabling studies and partnering on IND strategy.
• Deep scientific expertise in at least one of: viral pathogenesis, virology and antiviral pharmacology, antibody engineering, structural biology, or translational sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and lead scientific teams—preferably in early‑stage or resource‑constrained environments.
• Exceptional ability to manage external partners and drive execution across multiple disciplines.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent scientific strategy to executives, boards, and external stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience with prophylactic or infectious disease–focused antibody programsli>
• Prior involvement in company formation, platform development, or early pipeline strategy.
• Experience interacting directly with the FDA or other global health authorities.
• Proven track record of establishing research capabilities and scientific culture in start‑up or lean environments.

Why This Role?

• Executive‑level influence on strategy, scientific direction, and pipeline creation.
• Opportunity to build and lead the research function at a formative moment.
• Ability to directly shape the path to IND for the lead antibody program.
• High‑impact, mission‑driven work with competitive compensation and meaningful equity ownership.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales