Job Introduction

Executive Director / Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Location: Flexible / Global

Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 20,000 employees worldwide across our sites in the UK, US, and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high‑quality R&D services.

We’re proud of the impact we make—supporting hundreds of discovery projects, CMC programmes, and clinical trials each year. Our teams work across a wide range of therapeutic modalities, from small molecules to advanced biologics and gene therapies, partnering with more than 3,000 customers globally.

We are now seeking an experienced and highly motivated Medicinal Chemistry Leader to join our Global Drug Discovery & Development organisation. In this senior scientific role, you will lead integrated small‑molecule discovery programs, guide strategy, drive decision‑making, and collaborate closely with partners and cross‑functional teams across global sites.

This position is ideal for a dynamic scientific leader who combines deep medicinal chemistry expertise with strategic thinking, innovation, and a passion for advancing drug discovery programs.

At Pharmaron we offer:

• A vibrant and dynamic working environment – we are a fast‑growing, specialised organisation operating in a critical sector with a strong, exciting future.
• Opportunities to develop and grow – our rapid expansion creates continual opportunities for development and career progression.
• A supportive, collaborative culture – we work together, support each other, and strive for excellence as a unified team.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small‑molecule discovery programs and enable clear, timely Go/No‑Go decisions.
• Drive due diligence and partnership discussions to support initiation of new integrated discovery programs.
• Design novel chemical entities to support patent filings and intellectual property creation.
• Work closely with computational chemists to advance structure‑based design, virtual screening, and compound optimisation.
• Analyse SAR data integrating in vitro biology, ADME, PK, and in vivo efficacy results to advance programs toward candidate selection.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams in Pharmaron China, including Chemistry, Biology, ADME, PK, Pharmacology, and Safety Assessment.
• Troubleshoot scientific and technical challenges and ensure alignment with partner expectations and project goals.
• Present scientific strategies, progress, and achievements to internal leadership and external partners.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends and scientific developments in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or related discipline, with substantial industry experience.
• Extensive experience leading medicinal chemistry efforts within high‑performing drug discovery organisations.
• Demonstrated success advancing programs through HTS, lead identification, lead optimisation, and development; experience supporting programs entering clinical development is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry principles.
• Experience with diverse chemotypes, including heterocycles, peptides, nucleosides/nucleotides, carbohydrates, and targeted protein degraders.
• Familiarity with computational modeling, DMPK, in vitro biology, and in vivo pharmacology is a plus.
• Strong scientific track record, including publications, book chapters, patents, or scientific presentations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex chemistry concepts and influence decision‑making.
• Ability to collaborate and lead in matrixed, multidisciplinary, and cross‑geographical environments.
• Strong organisational skills and capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.

Our Company

We are a dynamic, fast‑growing CRO recognised for scientific excellence and trusted partnerships. We support leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations in solving complex scientific challenges across the drug discovery and development continuum.

We offer a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package, and access to state-of-the-art R&D facilities across our global network. We are committed to fostering your development through training, career progression, and scientific leadership opportunities.

Why Should You Apply?

• A rare opportunity to make a significant scientific impact and shape the direction of global discovery programs.
• A chance to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams across therapeutic areas.
• Work in a collaborative, supportive, and innovation-driven environment.
• Build and elevate your career within a world-class drug discovery organisation.