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Director Pharmaceutical Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Celcuity Inc.

$150 - $175/hr

We are seeking a Senior or Principal Scientist, Formulation and Process Development, who will report to the Director, Pharmaceutical Development. You will focus on leading formulation and process ...

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How much do director pharmaceutical development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 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.

What does a director 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.

How does a director 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director 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.

How to become a director pharmaceutical development?

To become a director of pharmaceutical development, candidates typically need a doctoral degree in a related field such as pharmacy, chemistry, or biology, along with extensive experience in drug development and regulatory processes. Strong leadership, project management skills, and knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are essential. Progression often involves advancing through roles like senior scientist or manager before reaching a director level.
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Director Pharmaceutical Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Pharmaceutical Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,598 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Associate Director, Drug Product Development

Mirum Pharmaceuticals

Foster City, CA • Hybrid

$200K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Mirum Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Pharmaceutical Development to provide technical and strategic leadership for drug product development and manufacturing across clinical and commercial programs for small molecules. This individual will lead formulation and process development, scale-up, technology transfer, validation, and lifecycle activities while providing technical oversight of external development and manufacturing partners.

The ideal candidate combines strong pharmaceutical development expertise with sound scientific judgment and a pragmatic, business-oriented approach. This role requires the ability to integrate formulation, manufacturing, analytical, quality, supply chain, and regulatory considerations to make well-informed development and manufacturing decisions.

JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead drug product formulation and process development, scale-up, technology transfer, process characterization, validation, and lifecycle management activities.
  • Develop phase-appropriate strategies for clinical and commercial programs, balancing scientific rigor, regulatory expectations, technical risk, timelines, and cost.
  • Interpret manufacturing, analytical, and stability data to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and guide appropriate changes to formulations, processes, and control strategies.
  • Provide technical leadership for GMP manufacturing activities, investigations, deviations, process optimization, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead technical oversight of CDMOs, including development, manufacturing, technology transfer, validation, investigations, and performance management.
  • Partner closely with Quality, Supply Chain and Regulatory CMC to develop scientifically sound and pragmatic approaches to product development, manufacturing, and regulatory strategy.
  • Apply knowledge of relevant FDA, EMA, ICH, and global regulatory expectations to development and manufacturing decisions and support CMC regulatory submissions and health authority interactions.
  • Communicate technical risks, recommendations, and business implications effectively to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education /Experience:

  • Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
  • 10+ years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience with significant experience in drug product development and GMP manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated experience with formulation and process development, scale-up, technology transfer, and process validation.
  • Experience supporting both clinical-stage development and commercial manufacturing preferred.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong working knowledge of pharmaceutical analytical testing and demonstrated ability to interpret analytical, stability, and manufacturing data to drive technical decisions.
  • Strong understanding of GMP requirements, ICH guidelines, and regulatory expectations for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated experience managing CDMOs and working effectively in an outsourced development and manufacturing environment.
  • Strong scientific judgment with the ability to constructively challenge assumptions and influence Quality, Regulatory CMC, external partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Business-oriented and pragmatic, with the ability to balance technical requirements with risk, timeline, cost, and supply considerations.
  • Experience in a small company environment strongly preferred.
  • Must be available for some teleconferences outside of standard California business hours.
  • Ability to travel up to 30% of time required.

The salary range for this position is $200,000 to $215,000 USD. Compensation will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to; skill set, years of experience, and the employee's geographic location. Please note that the required compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits unless otherwise provided.

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