Director, Analytical Chemistry

Job Introduction

Director, Analytical Chemistry

Hoddesdon

Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 21,000 employees worldwide across 23 sites across the UK, US and China, and we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.

We’re proud of the impact we make—just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Director of Analytical Chemistry to join our Hoddesdon site in a key leadership role within a large and well-established department.

This role is focused on maintaining scientific excellence, strategic leadership, team development and cross-functional alignment. You will work closely with senior leadership to shape departmental direction, strengthen collaboration across functions, and ensure the Analytical Chemistry group continues to operate effectively as it grows.

You will provide senior decision‑making support to scientific staff, ensuring complex technical, operational and cross‑functional issues are resolved in line with regulatory expectations (GxP, ICH, SOPs). 

Support and influence long‑term resource allocation, organisational design and capability development across multiple scientific teams.

This is a highly visible position where you’ll play an important role in driving performance, supporting senior scientific leaders, and contributing to the wider success of the organisation.

At Pharmaron we offer:

• Vibrant and dynamic employment – we are a highly specialised, growth company operating in a critical sector of the economy – our future is strong and exciting!
• Opportunities to develop your skills and yourself – our rapid growth brings greater opportunities for you to learn and grow faster!
• A great team where we all support each other – enjoy your work – after all you spend about a third of your time here!

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership across the Analytical Chemistry department, ensuring alignment with business priorities 
• Lead and develop senior scientists and managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement 
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Engineering, QA, IT, Product Development and senior leadership 
• Support long-term planning including resource strategy, organisational design and capability development 
• Act as a senior point of contact for complex scientific, operational and stakeholder challenges 
• Contribute to client interactions, including visits and audits, supporting strong external relationships 
• Drive initiatives that improve ways of working, team engagement and operational effectiveness 
• Ensure compliance with GMP, GLP and regulatory expectations

Requirements:

This role will suit someone operating at a senior leadership level, or ready to step into one.

• Typically 15+ years (PhD) or 20+ years (MSc/BSc) of relevant industry experience
• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary scientific teams 
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills 
• Ability to influence and collaborate across functions and seniority levels 
• Strategic mindset with experience shaping team or departmental direction 
• Background in analytical chemistry within pharma, CRO or related environments 
• Credibility to lead experienced Principal Scientists and senior technical staff 
• Experience working in GMP/GLP regulated environments
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting business performance 
• Experience interacting with regulatory bodies (e.g. MHRA)
• Broad and expert knowledge of analytical methodologies supporting API development. 
• Experience applying ICH guidelines and operating within a formal Quality Management Framework. 
• Strong coaching, feedback and people‑development skills. 
• A proactive, solutions‑focused leadership style with strong scientific judgement and a continuous improvement mindset.

Our Company: “We are a dynamic, fast-growing CRO with a reputation for leading-edge science. We provide contract research services to some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, solving complex scientific challenges with integrity and professionalism.

Our Hoddesdon site in Hertfordshire offers over 5,000 m² of premier R&D space, housing Process Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Product Development, and Drug Discovery teams. The site includes state-of-the-art GMP facilities for API development, oral solid dose manufacture, formulation development, and process chemistry.

• We offer a competitive salary and a progressive and comprehensive suite of employee benefits.
• We offer state of the art working environment on site.
• We offer the opportunity for growth and development and will support funding for relevant training and development programmes.

Pharmaron is a premier R&D service company supporting the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities having established diverse drug R&D service capabilities, ranging from synthetic, medicinal, and analytical chemistry, biology, DMPK, pharmacology, drug safety assessment, radiochemistry and isotopically labelled metabolism, chemical & pharmaceutical development to clinical development.  With operations in China, US and UK staffed by over 25,000 employees, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in the delivery of R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.