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Preclinical Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Johnson & Johnson

Manager Preclinical Research

Irvine, CA

$49K - $50K/yr

The Manager of Preclinical Research will be involved in the strategic development and growth of the ... Serving as a preclinical research representative for new product development projects. The main ...

WuXi AppTec Group

Senior Project Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$89 - $115/hr

Oversee the project management activities, including addressing clients' inquiries, preparing ... Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes, particularly in preclinical ...

WuXi AppTec

Senior Project Manager

San Diego, CA

$88K - $115K/yr

Oversee the project management activities, including addressing clients' inquiries, preparing ... Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes, particularly in preclinical ...

WuXi AppTec

Senior Project Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$88K - $115K/yr

Oversee the project management activities, including addressing clients' inquiries, preparing ... Strong understanding of drug discovery and development processes, particularly in preclinical ...

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Preclinical Project Manager information

What does a preclinical project manager do?

A Preclinical Project Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of preclinical research projects that typically involve laboratory and animal studies before clinical trials in humans can begin. They work closely with scientists, regulatory teams, and stakeholders to ensure that studies are conducted according to protocols, timelines, and regulatory requirements. Their responsibilities include managing budgets, resources, and communication among various teams to advance drug candidates or medical devices through the early stages of development. Effective Preclinical Project Managers help ensure that projects meet scientific and business objectives, and that all data generated is reliable and compliant with industry standards.

How does a preclinical project manager typically coordinate with cross-functional teams during a drug development project?

A Preclinical Project Manager works closely with scientists, regulatory affairs, toxicology, and external vendors to ensure all preclinical studies are executed on time and within budget. They facilitate regular meetings to align project milestones, address challenges, and manage documentation for compliance. Effective communication and proactive issue resolution are key, as the role often requires balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders while keeping the overall project timeline on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a preclinical project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Preclinical Project Manager, you need a solid background in life sciences or pharmaceutical research, often with an advanced degree and experience managing preclinical studies. Familiarity with project management tools, regulatory guidelines (such as GLP), and software like Microsoft Project or similar platforms is typically required. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are vital for coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring project timelines are met. These skills and qualifications are crucial for efficiently advancing drug candidates through preclinical development while ensuring compliance and project success.

What are popular job titles related to Preclinical Project Manager jobs in California?

For Preclinical Project Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Preclinical Project Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Preclinical Project Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Preclinical Project Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Preclinical Project Manager job openings:

Preclinical Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Preclinical Project Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Director, Medicinal Chemistry

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Kardigan
See more jobs at Kardiganexternal

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Department: Medicinal Chemistry

Reports To: Senior Director, Discovery Sciences

Location: South San Francisco, CA - On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs)

Job Overview

The Director, Medicinal Chemistry will provide experienced chemistry leadership to small molecule drug discovery programs in Kardigan's preclinical portfolio. This role involves providing leadership to cross-functional project teams and effectively collaborating to advance preclinical programs from initiation to delivery of a development candidate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Chemistry Lead for preclinical drug discovery programs.
  • Co-lead the preclinical project team, working closely with Biology co-lead to develop and execute project plans, manage ongoing activities, and ensure project success.
  • Lead new molecule design on Integrate potency, selectivity, DMPK, safety, and in vivo pharmacology data to guide new compound design and address liabilities.
  • Provide oversight of CRO-executed chemical synthesis and assays, ensuring a high standard for productivity and data quality.
  • Collaborate with IP Legal to deliver strong intellectual property.
  • Effectively communicate complex scientific data, analyses, and strategies to project teams and in governance meetings.
  • Recruit, mentor, and manage medicinal chemists as the group grows.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills

  • PhD in Chemistry with a focus on Organic or Medicinal Chemistry.
  • 8+ years of pharma/biotech industry drug discovery experience with a strong track record of leading medicinal chemistry across hit identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and development candidate nominations. Prior experience delivering a development candidate or equivalent is a plus.
  • Experience managing teams of external chemistry FTEs at CRO collaborators is strongly preferred.
  • Deep expertise in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, physicochemical property-based design, structure-based design, and relevant drug discovery disciplines (e.g., biology, DMPK, and material science). Prior experience in cardiovascular disease is a plus.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex scientific concepts to a broad range of collaborators, leaders, and stakeholders.
  • Track record of consistent scientific achievement and successful drug discovery work (peer-reviewed publications, patent inventorship, conference presentations).
  • Prior direct management experience, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management of chemists.

Apply