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Senior Scientific Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Novo Nordisk A/S

Scientific Director

Lexington, MA · On-site

The Position The Scientific Director serves as a senior scientific leader and subject matter expert, shaping strategic direction and advancing disease biology insights across the Diabetes Therapeutic ...

Novo Nordisk

Scientific Director

Lexington, MA

The Position The Scientific Director serves as a senior scientific leader and subject matter expert, shaping strategic direction and advancing disease biology insights across the Diabetes Therapeutic ...

Novo Nordisk

Scientific Director

Lexington, MA · On-site

The Position The Scientific Director serves as a senior scientific leader and subject matter expert, shaping strategic direction and advancing disease biology insights across the Diabetes Therapeutic ...

Novo Nordisk

Scientific Director

Lexington, MA · On-site

The Position The Scientific Director serves as a senior scientific leader and subject matter expert, shaping strategic direction and advancing disease biology insights across the Diabetes Therapeutic ...

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Senior Scientific Director information

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$92K

$156.7K

$193.5K

How much do senior scientific director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior scientific director in the United States is $156,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $149,500.00 and $169,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior scientific director do?

A Senior Scientific Director is responsible for overseeing scientific research and development activities within an organization. They lead teams of scientists, set research priorities, and ensure that projects align with the organization's strategic goals. Additionally, they often collaborate with other departments, manage budgets, and communicate scientific findings to stakeholders. Their role is crucial in driving innovation and maintaining scientific integrity throughout the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior scientific director?

To thrive as a Senior Scientific Director, you need an advanced degree (often a PhD or MD), extensive research experience, and a track record of scientific leadership and publication. Familiarity with data analysis tools, laboratory management systems, and regulatory compliance standards such as GLP or GCP is typically required. Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills help foster team collaboration and drive scientific innovation. These competencies are essential for ensuring high-quality research, guiding scientific direction, and meeting organizational goals in a competitive environment.

What are the main challenges senior scientific directors face when leading cross-functional research teams?

Senior Scientific Directors often encounter the challenge of aligning diverse teams, such as scientists, clinicians, and regulatory experts, around common research goals while balancing scientific rigor with business objectives. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential, as team members may have differing priorities or perspectives. Additionally, Senior Scientific Directors must stay abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes, ensuring projects meet both scientific standards and compliance requirements. Navigating these complexities requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset.

What is the difference between Senior Scientific Director vs Principal Scientist?

AspectSenior Scientific DirectorPrincipal Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or MD), extensive research experiencePhD or equivalent, strong research background
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D teams, strategic planningHands-on research, experimental design
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companiesResearch institutions, biotech firms, pharma
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Senior Scientific Director typically oversees research strategies and manages teams, focusing on leadership and project direction. In contrast, the Principal Scientist is more involved in direct research activities and experimental work. Both roles require advanced degrees and extensive experience, but the Senior Scientific Director emphasizes strategic oversight, while the Principal Scientist concentrates on scientific innovation and experimentation.

What cities are hiring for Senior Scientific Director jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Scientific Director job openings:

What states have the most Senior Scientific Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Scientific Director jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Scientific Director jobs?

For Senior Scientific Director jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Senior Scientific Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $156,723 per year, or $75.3 per hour.

Senior Scientific Director - Oncology (Solid Tumor)

Remote

The Lockwood Group, LLC
See more jobs at The Lockwood Group, LLCexternal

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About Lockwood: Lockwood collaborates with clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries to identify effective, holistic, science-based strategies to address their objectives through medical communications. Our clients count on us to challenge their assumptions and help them creatively navigate around obstacles. From strategy through execution, we focus on accuracy, transparency, and scientific value to create programs that are evidence-based, clinically relevant, and contribute to the development of our clients' brands. Over a third of our staff hold advanced scientific or medical degrees, and most work from where they live. Because our flexible structure provides better work-life balance, we attract the best talent, facilitate their best work, and as a result, are more responsive to our clients, wherever and whenever they do business.
Summary: In this role, the Senior Scientific Director is responsible for the planning, development, and oversight of scientific content for an assigned account or accounts across various therapeutic areas and managing most aspects of the scientific contributions across a large and/or multiple accounts..
Responsibilities: Responsibilities include leading assigned accounts, leading client interactions and brand strategy, leading the scientific portion of brand planning and business development, managing resource allocation, partnering with client services to develop SOWs and timelines and identifying areas for new and organic growth.
Education: An advanced degree in science is required.
Professional Skills & Experience:
  • Candidates must have 10 or more years of relevant job experience with promotional medical education content such as advisory boards, speaker programs, slide decks, etc.
  • This role requires demonstrated organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret scientific data, multitask, work independently, and manage projects within tight deadlines with limited direction.
  • Experience with established professional medical editorial processes (eg, AMA style) and ethical guidelines is also required.
  • Experience with oncology is required. Experience with GI/GU (Gastroenterology) preferred but not required.

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