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Director Pharmaceutical Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Technical Development Director, Pharmaceutical leads a broad range of activities to grow the firm's consultancy business within the pharmaceutical sector. This role is responsible for developing ...

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Director Pharmaceutical Development information

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$43K

$82.6K

$162K

How much do director pharmaceutical development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director pharmaceutical 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.

How does a Director of Pharmaceutical Development typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the drug development process?

A Director of Pharmaceutical Development regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and manufacturing departments. This role acts as a bridge to ensure alignment between scientific objectives, regulatory requirements, and commercial goals. Effective communication and project management skills are crucial, as the director must coordinate timelines, resolve technical challenges, and integrate feedback from different stakeholders to advance projects efficiently. Collaboration is key to ensuring that product development stays on track and meets both quality standards and regulatory expectations.

What does a Director of Pharmaceutical Development do?

A Director of Pharmaceutical Development leads and oversees the process of developing new pharmaceutical products, from initial concept through to clinical trials and regulatory approval. They manage teams of scientists, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and ensure projects meet timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Additionally, they collaborate with cross-functional departments such as research, manufacturing, and marketing to align product development with business goals. Their role is crucial in bringing safe and effective medications to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Pharmaceutical Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Pharmaceutical Development, you need advanced expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, drug development processes, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a PhD or PharmD and significant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like LIMS, project management software, and knowledge of FDA/EMA submission systems is crucial. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure effective management of complex development pipelines, regulatory success, and alignment with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Pharmaceutical Development vs Senior Pharmaceutical Scientist?

AspectDirector Pharmaceutical DevelopmentSenior Pharmaceutical Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD, PharmD), extensive industry experienceMaster's or PhD in pharmaceutical sciences or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationResearch, formulation, laboratory work
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, R&D divisionsResearch labs, development teams within pharma companies

The main difference is that the Director Pharmaceutical Development oversees strategic development projects and manages teams, while the Senior Pharmaceutical Scientist focuses on hands-on research and formulation work. The director role involves leadership and planning, whereas the senior scientist role emphasizes technical expertise and experimentation.

More about Director Pharmaceutical Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Pharmaceutical Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Pharmaceutical Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pharmaceutical Development jobs? The most popular types of Pharmaceutical Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director Pharmaceutical Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Pharmaceutical Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Pharmaceutical Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,598 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Director, Pharmaceutical Development

Nurix

Brisbane, CA

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Title:   Director, Pharmaceutical Development 

Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted protein degradation medicines, the next frontier in innovative drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and coupled with unparalleled ligase expertise, Nurix's dedicated team has built a formidable advantage in translating the science of targeted protein degradation into clinical advancements. Nurix aims to establish degrader-based treatments at the forefront of patient care, writing medicine's next chapter with a new script to outmatch disease.

Position

Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Director of Pharmaceutical Development. The role leads small molecule drug product development focused on oral and topical dosage forms. Responsibilities span QbD-based formulation and process development from early phase through commercial launch. The position requires strong cross-functional collaboration and hands-on CDMO management. This position is on site in the Brisbane, CA office.

Responsibilities

 Formulation & Process Development

  • Lead QbD-based formulation and process development for small molecule drug programs with a focus on oral and topical dosage forms across all development phases.
  • Apply expertise in BCS Class II/IV compound development and enabling formulation technologies, including amorphous solid dispersions (spray-dried dispersions, hot-melt extrusion), lipid-based drug delivery systems (SMEDDS, SEDDS, lipid suspensions), and nano-formulations to address solubility and bioavailability challenges.
  • Define and document the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) and identify Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) to guide formulation strategy.
  • Conduct systematic risk assessments to identify Critical Material Attributes (CMAs) and Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) using FMEA and other risk assessment tools.
  • Develop and optimize manufacturing processes appropriate to the dosage form, ensuring scalability and process robustness.

Scale-Up & Technology Transfer

  • Lead manufacturing scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale, ensuring robust and reproducible processes.
  • Troubleshoot manufacturing deviations, out-of-specification results, and process failures; drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

Late-Stage Development & Regulatory

  • Drive late-stage development activities (Phase 2b through commercial launch) including clinical supply manufacturing, process performance qualification (PPQ), and continued process verification (CPV).
  • Author and review CMC sections of regulatory submissions including INDs, NDAs, and MAAs.
  • Ensure all development activities comply with current GMP regulations and internal quality standards.

CDMO Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Manage external CDMO partnerships, including vendor qualification, technical oversight, and performance governance to ensure project timelines, quality standards, and budget commitments are met.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact between pharmaceutical development and cross-functional teams including Analytical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial.
  • Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior scientists, associates, and project team members.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline strongly preferred with 12 years of industry experience.
  • 12+ years of progressive pharmaceutical development experience in an industry setting (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CDMO).
  • Deep expertise in small molecule drug product development with a focus on oral and topical dosage forms, especially enabled formulation development (e.g., amorphous solid dispersions, lipid-based systems, nano-formulations).
  • Comprehensive hands-on experience with QbD methodologies: QTPP definition, CQA identification, CMA/CPP risk assessment, DoE, design space development, and control strategy establishment.
  • Significant late-stage development experience (Phase 2b/3 and NDA/MAA submission) is required.
  • Proven track record of authoring and/or reviewing CMC regulatory submissions (INDs, NDAs, CTDs) and successfully responding to agency queries.
  • Direct CDMO management experience, including technical oversight, project governance, and relationship management.
  • Knowledge of lifecycle management, post-approval changes, and SUPAC guidance.
  • For the Director level: demonstrated people management experience leading a team of scientists/managers, department-level strategic planning, and budget/resource ownership across multiple concurrent programs.
  • Primarily office and laboratory environment; occasional GMP manufacturing facility access required.
  • Approximately 25% travel required, including domestic and international trips to CDMO sites, clinical manufacturing sites, regulatory agency meetings, and scientific conferences.
  • Must be able to gown for cleanroom/GMP environments

Core Competencies

  • Scientific Leadership - Recognized internal and external thought leader in pharmaceutical development; drives scientific innovation and excellence.
  • Strategic Thinking - Ability to anticipate technical and regulatory risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies that protect project timelines.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration - Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships and influence without authority across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Project Management - Experienced in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Communication - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex scientific data clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and regulatory agencies.
  • People Development - Commitment to mentoring and developing scientific talent within the organization. 

Salary Range:  218K - 260K plus bonus and equity.

Fit with Nurix Culture and Values

  • Strong team orientation; highly collaborative
  • Solutions and results-oriented focus
  • Hands-on approach; resourceful and open to diverse points of view

Application Process

Nurix is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering a competitive salary and benefits package. Applicants should be legally entitled to work for any employer in the US.

Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy and personal information, including information collected by Nurix when you apply for a job with Nurix or in the course of your employment with Nurix.  By applying for a position at Nurix, you agree to our collection and use of personal information as described in our Privacy Policy (https://www.nurixtx.com/privacy-policy/).Â