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How much do director cell line development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for director cell line development in the United States is $82,598.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $97,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of cell line development?

To excel as a Director Cell Line Development, you need advanced knowledge in cell biology, molecular biology, and bioprocessing, often backed by a Ph.D. and significant industry experience. Expertise with technologies such as CRISPR, high-throughput screening, cell culture automation systems, and regulatory standards like GMP is essential. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication are vital soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies ensure the efficient creation of robust cell lines critical for biologics development and organizational success.

What does a director of cell line development do?

A Director of Cell Line Development leads teams responsible for creating and optimizing cell lines used in the production of biopharmaceutical products, such as therapeutic proteins and antibodies. This role involves overseeing scientific strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project goals. Directors also provide technical guidance, manage budgets, and contribute to the development of new technologies and processes. Their work is critical in ensuring high-yield, stable, and safe cell lines for large-scale manufacturing.

What are the primary challenges a director of cell line development faces when overseeing multiple projects simultaneously?

A Director of Cell Line Development often manages several projects at different stages, which requires balancing timelines, resources, and technical challenges. Coordinating cross-functional teams—such as upstream process development, analytical, and quality assurance groups—can be complex, especially when each project has unique scientific hurdles and regulatory requirements. Effective communication, prioritization, and risk mitigation are key skills needed to ensure projects progress smoothly and meet critical milestones. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of evolving technologies and regulatory guidelines is essential to lead teams successfully.
What cities are hiring for Director Cell Line Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Cell Line Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cell Line Development jobs? The most popular types of Cell Line Development jobs are:
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Director Cell Line Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Cell Line Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,598 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Executive Director, Head of Cell Line & Cell Culture Dev

Johnson & Johnson

Spring House, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Johnson & Johnson rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 111 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions are personal.Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Enterprise Management

Job Sub Function:

Executive Management

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson -- About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

Role Overview

The Executive Director, Cell Line and Cell Culture Development is a senior scientific and people leader within Proteins Development - API, accountable for the global strategy, execution, and organizational leadership of mammalian cell line development and upstream process development across the protein therapeutics portfolio.

This role is accountable for fitforstage development of all proteinderived molecules from early development through latestage development to commercialization, as well as providing deep technical and nextgeneration process development support to commercial products as needed-ensuring robust, scalable, compliant, and costeffective processes that enable rapid portfolio progression and reliable patient supply.

The Executive Director operates as a key member of the Proteins Development - API leadership team, partnering across Proteins Development - API and beyond including Biologics Discovery Process Research, Biologics Development China Core, Drug Product Development and Delivery, Analytical Development, CMC, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Procurement, and J&J Innovative Medicine Supply Chain to deliver integrated solutions aligned with enterprise priorities.

Key ResponsibilitiesScientific & Technical Strategy
  • Define and own the global strategy to build, deploy, and continuously advance worldclass cell line, media, and cell culture platforms that remain competitive and fitforpurpose across the portfolio.
  • Ensure development approaches and work packages are fitforstage, platformaligned, and positioned to enable rapid clinical progression, best product and process at launch, and robust lifecycle management.
  • Provide senior scientific leadership across cell line generation, clone selection, media and feed strategy, upstream process optimization, scaleup, and process characterization.
  • Serve as the enterprise subjectmatter authority for CLD and upstream development within CMC governance, portfolio, and technical review forums.
Program & Portfolio Delivery
  • Ensure on quality, on time, and on budget cell line development and cell culture development in support of integrated CMC plans.
  • Partner with Biologics Discovery Process Research and CMC program leadership to align scope, timelines, resources, and risk postures.
  • Accountable for proactive identification and management of technical and operational risks related to cell line and cell culture development.
  • Support technology transfer and GMP manufacturing readiness, including troubleshooting, deviation support, and continuous process improvement.
External Manufacturing & Partnerships
  • Provide executive oversight of CDMO performance, ensuring delivery against technical, quality, compliance, and timeline expectations.
  • Act as senior escalation point for complex issues involving external partners and manufacturing sites.
Regulatory & Quality Alignment
  • Own cell line and cell culture-related regulatory strategy, ensuring phaseappropriate content for IND, BLA, and global submissions.
  • Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure development activities meet global regulatory and compliance expectations.
  • Represent cell line and cell culture development in regulatory interactions as required.
People, Culture & Organizational Leadership
  • Build, lead, and develop a highperforming organization, including senior leaders and technical experts.
  • Establish clear expectations and accountability for scientific rigor, delivery excellence, safety, quality, and budgetary compliance, and talent development.
  • Drive a culture aligned with J&J CREDO, C.E.O Leadership Imperatives, emphasizing accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure succession planning and capability building to support longterm organizational sustainability.
QualificationsEducation

PhD in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related scientific discipline.

Experience
  • 10+ years of experience in biologics CMC with deep expertise in mammalian cell line development and cell culture process development.
  • Demonstrated leadership at Senior Director or Executive Director level within large pharma or advanced biotech organizations.
  • Proven track record delivering upstream processes through clinical development and GMP manufacturing.
  • Strong experience working within matrixed, global organizations and with external manufacturing partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively within enterprise governance models.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson and Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center (ra-employeehealthsup@its.jnj.com) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Budget Management, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Competitive Landscape Analysis, Continuous Improvement, Corporate Management, Developing Others, Empowering People, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Managerial Courage, Operational Excellence, Performance Measurement, Stakeholder Engagement, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Strategic Analysis, Strategic Change, Vendor Management

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