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Director Preclinical Development Jobs in Union, NJ

Clinical Dynamix, Inc.

Project Manager R&D

Jersey City, NJ · Hybrid

$125K - $150K/yr

... Director, Program Management, this role will support the planning and operational execution of R&D programs and cross-functional initiatives, with a strong emphasis on outsourced preclinical ...

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Director Preclinical Development information

See Union, NJ salary details

$41.3K

$94.1K

$158K

How much do director preclinical development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director preclinical development in Union, NJ is $94,144.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,300.00 and $110,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director preclinical development?

A Director of Preclinical Development oversees the early-stage research and testing of drug candidates before they enter clinical trials. They manage preclinical studies, ensuring regulatory compliance, safety, and efficacy assessments. This role involves coordinating with cross-functional teams, external partners, and regulatory agencies to advance promising compounds. Strong expertise in toxicology, pharmacology, and regulatory guidelines is essential. The director plays a key role in shaping the preclinical strategy to support successful drug development.

What are the typical responsibilities and team dynamics for a director preclinical development?

A Director of Preclinical Development is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and management of preclinical research programs, ensuring that studies meet scientific, regulatory, and project milestones. You will typically work with cross-functional teams including toxicologists, pharmacologists, regulatory affairs professionals, and external partners, fostering collaboration throughout the drug development process. The role often involves reviewing study designs and data, preparing regulatory submissions, and providing strategic direction to advance compounds toward clinical testing. Working closely with upper management, you'll play a key part in shaping research priorities and resource allocation. This position offers significant influence over drug development strategies and opportunities for advancement to higher executive or scientific leadership roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the director preclinical development position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Preclinical Development, you need deep expertise in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research, strong project management abilities, and an advanced degree (Ph.D., Pharm.D., or equivalent) in a life sciences field. Familiarity with regulatory guidelines (such as GLP), experience using data management and statistical analysis software, and prior leadership roles in preclinical studies are essential. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team leadership skills set candidates apart in managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborative projects. These competencies are crucial for successfully guiding drug candidates through preclinical stages while ensuring regulatory compliance and timely project delivery.

What are popular job titles related to Director Preclinical Development jobs in Union, NJ?

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What job categories do people searching Director Preclinical Development jobs in Union, NJ look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Preclinical Development jobs in Union, NJ are:

What cities near Union, NJ are hiring for Director Preclinical Development jobs?

Cities near Union, NJ with the most Director Preclinical Development job openings:

Director Preclinical Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Preclinical Development job openings in Union, NJ 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 $94,144 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

VP, Head of Preclinical Development

Legend Biotech US

Somerset, NJ • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Legend Biotech is seeking a VP, Head of Preclinical Development as part of the Early Drug Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

Legend Biotech is a clinical-stage biotech company developing cell therapies for hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. We are seeking an exceptional scientist-leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development. This is a senior, externally visible leadership role accountable for the full preclinical development program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology for all pipeline compounds globally. The person will build and lead a high-performing, integrated team, set scientific standards for the organization, and serve as the internal authority and external face for preclinical science across regulatory, partnership, and publication contexts.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the preclinical development strategy across all pipeline program globally from candidate nomination through IND-enabling studies.
  • Serve as the internal scientific authority on in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology - setting methodological standards, experimental design principles, and data interpretation frameworks.
  • Lead preclinical science for novel modalities including lentiviral vector-based in vivo CAR-T, ex vivo cell therapies, and gene-modified immune cell platforms, with deep understanding of the unique preclinical characterization requirements of each
  • Integrate preclinical datasets (PK, PD, safety, biodistribution etc) into coherent compound narratives that inform clinical development strategy, dose selection, and regulatory submissions.
  • Contribute to portfolio decisions by providing rigorous preclinical risk assessments for new candidates, partnership assets, and lifecycle management opportunities.
  • Own the preclinical component of IND applications, accountable for integrated pharmacology and toxicology summaries, study tabulations, and the Written Summary of nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology.
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Preclinical Development team comprising in vitro pharmacology scientists, in vivo pharmacology scientists, and toxicologists - both internal staff and embedded CRO personnel.
  • Set a culture of scientific excellence, objectivity, and regulatory integrity - where data are interpreted accurately regardless of programme pressure and where safety signals are escalated promptly and without bias.
  • Mentor and develop team members at all levels; create individual development plans, provide regular performance feedback, and support career progression.

Requirements

  • PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, cell biology, or a closely related discipline.
  • Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in preclinical drug development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with direct accountability for IND-enabling programs.
  • Deep expertise in at least two of the three core functions (in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology), with working knowledge of the third.
  • Demonstrated experience designing, overseeing, and interpreting GLP toxicology studies (repeat-dose NHP or rodent, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity) in support of IND filing.
  • Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development.
  • Track record of successful IND submissions with clear accountability for the nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology sections.
  • Experience managing CRO relationships for outsourced preclinical and GLP studies, including vendor qualification, protocol development, monitoring, and report review.
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and build high-performing scientific teams in a fast-paced biotech environment.

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