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Director Pharmaceutical Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$160 - $260/hr

Team Leadership & Development * Partner with and direct teams of one to three Senior Managers and analysts per initiative; scope work realistically against team capacity and deliver high-quality ...

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Director Pharmaceutical Development information

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How much do director pharmaceutical development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 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 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 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 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.

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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, 14% Part Time, and 3% 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, Pharmaceutical Sciences (Drug Delivery)

Welcome to the Tarsanet Internal Career Center!

Irvine, CA โ€ข Hybrid

$227K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

About the Role

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Associate Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences (Drug Delivery) will lead and execute innovative drug delivery and formulation strategies to support pre-IND product development, candidate selection, and novel delivery platform advancement. The incumbent will drive scientific and technical direction for formulation & delivery approaches across modalities, strengthen the company's IP portfolio, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (Innovation Lab, Translational Sciences, Pharmaceutical Development, Analytical Development) to enable successful transition from concept to candidate selection.

Let's talk about some of the key responsibilities of the role:

  • Develop and lead delivery sciences strategy for new and emerging modalities (small molecules, biologics, peptides)
  • Identify white space opportunities and contribute to invention disclosures and patent strategy in partnership with IP counsel.
  • Evaluate competitive landscape and emerging delivery technologies to inform internal innovation strategy.
  • Design, execute, interpret laboratory results to develop and optimize novel drug delivery systems, and define data-driven next steps to drive platform development.
  • Generate formulation and delivery approaches to enable pre-clinical animal models.
  • With the Translational Sciences team interpret in vitro and in vivo data (PK/PD, bio-distribution, tolerability) to refine and prioritize delivery strategies.
  • Represent delivery sciences in program governance and external partnerships.
  • Serve as scientific lead for external CRO partnerships.
  • R&D project budget planning and budget management.
  • May perform other related duties as required and/or assigned.

Factors for Success:

  • Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in drug delivery and developing novel drug delivery platforms from concept through preclinical validation.
  • Experience managing CROs and external research collaborations.
  • Strong experimental design, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Track record of platform innovation and contribution to patents in drug delivery.
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong leadership skills and experience in cross-functional project leadership.
  • Tarsus Competencies:
    • Decision Making - Demonstrates strong decision-making by applying structured analysis to complex challenges, balancing competing priorities and long-term impacts while engaging stakeholders and driving solutions aligned with organizational goals.
    • Collaboration and Team Building - Promotes collaboration by aligning diverse teams around shared goals, fostering healthy debate to advance outcomes, and building strong networks that strengthen organizational effectiveness and cross-team learning.
    • Outcome Driven - Demonstrates strong outcomes focus by aligning teams around shared priorities, proactively addressing risks and dependencies, and driving cross-functional accountability to sustain progress and deliver results.

ย A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:

  • The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment.
  • We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
  • This position reports directly to our Sr. Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Some travel may be required - up to 20%.

At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $150,000 - $210,000 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit: https://eb.alliant.com/26tarsusbenefitssnapshot.

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