Exelixis

Executive Director, Toxicology

Exelixis$285K — $405K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM, or related field with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience.
  • DABT or equivalent board certification preferred.
  • Extensive experience in toxicology and nonclinical safety within biotech or pharmaceuticals.
  • Proven track record in IND-enabling and clinical development processes.
  • Strong experience managing CROs and cross-functional project teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the toxicology strategy for various programs from discovery to registration.
  • Define integrated safety, pharmacology, and toxicological strategies to support development activities.
  • Oversee design and reporting of toxicology studies, ensuring compliance with GLP and non-GLP standards.
  • Act as a representative for toxicology in project teams and regulatory meetings, communicating risks and recommendations.
  • Author and review nonclinical sections of regulatory documents for submissions and approvals.
  • Collaborate with multiple departments to integrate development plans and manage risk-based decisions.
  • Manage external relationships to ensure quality and timely output from CROs.

Benefits

  • 401k plan with generous company contributions
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Generous vacation policy with 15 days accrued in the first year
  • 17 paid holidays including a winter shutdown
  • Opportunities for stock purchase and long-term incentives
  • Supportive office environment with ergonomic workspace.
Full Job Description
SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE

The Executive Director, Toxicology leads a team of toxicologists who develop and implement nonclinical safety strategies for small and large molecule programs in an inter-departmental, project team-based structure. Establish and maintain the vision, strategy, scientific standards and operating model for the Toxicology function to support organizational objectives and portfolio growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead Toxicology strategy for small molecule and biotherapeutic programs from discovery through registration.
  • Define integrated nonclinical safety, safety pharmacology, toxicokinetic, pharmacokinetic, and drug metabolism strategies that support candidate selection, IND-enabling activities, clinical development, and global regulatory submissions.
  • Oversee the design, conduct, monitoring, interpretation and reporting of GLP and non-GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology and investigative toxicology studies conducted internally or through CROs.
  • Represent Toxicology on project teams, governance forums, regulatory meetings and development partner interactions; communicate scientific rationale, risk assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Author, review and defend nonclinical pharmacology, toxicology and safety sections of regulatory documents, including pre-IND packages, INDs, CTAs, IBs, NDAs, BLAs and global marketing applications.
  • Partner with Discovery, Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Sciences, Pathology, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, CMC, Quality Assurance, CROs, and external collaborators to drive integrated development plans and risk-based decision-making.
  • Manage CRO and external partner relationships to ensure study quality, compliance, timelines, budgets, data integrity and timely delivery of nonclinical outputs.
  • Identify and resolve nonclinical safety issues that may affect program progression; develop de-risking strategies and recommendations based on scientific, regulatory and portfolio considerations.
  • Develop resource plans, budget forecasts, organizational capabilities and scalable processes to support current and future portfolio needs.
  • Drive external scientific visibility through appropriate publications, presentations, partnerships and participation in relevant scientific forums.
  • Build organizational capability through succession planning, leadership development, talent assessment and creation of a high-performing scientific culture.
  • Performs other duties as assigned
  • Complies with all policies and standards


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Attracts, hires, retains and develops high-performing scientists and scientific leaders; fosters an innovative, science-driven work environment; establishes measurable objectives and provides ongoing coaching, feedback and performance management.
  • Leads, trains and mentors staff to develop and expand their expertise and encourages them to create innovative solutions that will increase scientific knowledge and technical capabilities.
  • Identifies resources and capabilities required to support current and future portfolio needs; deploys staff according to portfolio priorities, resource availability and business objectives; manages group goals, timelines and budgets.


EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education
  • PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, DVM or related discipline and a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; or,
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • DABT or equivalent board certification preferred.


Experience
  • Extensive experience leading toxicology, nonclinical safety and safety pharmacology activities in a regulated biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.
  • Experience supporting discovery, IND-enabling, clinical development, and global regulatory submission activities.
  • Experience managing CROs, external partners, cross-functional project teams and people leaders.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of nonclinical safety assessment, toxicology, safety pharmacology, DMPK, GLP regulations, global regulatory expectations and drug development from discovery through registration.
  • Advanced leadership, communication, collaboration, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making and influencing skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively in complex matrix environments, manage ambiguity, assess risk, and communicate scientific recommendations to senior leaders, regulatory agencies, development partners and cross-functional teams.


Travel Requirements
  • 10% Travel may be required, up to 10% of the time


#LI-HG1

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this position is $285,000 - $405,500 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate's geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.

In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.

DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

About Exelixis

Exelixis is a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer. The company's flagship product, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib), is an inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases, including MET, AXL, and VEGFR, which are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. CABOMETYX is approved in the United States for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is also approved in the European Union and other countries for the treatment of advanced RCC. Exelixis is headquartered in Alameda, California, and has additional offices in South San Francisco, California, and Basel, Switzerland. Learn more at www.exelixis.com.
Learn more about Exelixis
Size
954 employees
Market Cap
$5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$111.7 million
5 Year Trend
+49.6%
Revenue
$987.5 million
NASDAQ

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