Director, Life Sciences Jobs

Explore Director, Life Sciences opportunities for experienced leaders across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare research. These roles help organizations translate scientific expertise into strategy, strong teams, and measurable business or patient impact. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including senior opportunities for life sciences directors.

What Does a Director of Life Sciences Do?

Responsibilities vary by organization and specialty. Directors may set departmental or program strategy, oversee research and development, guide clinical or regulatory initiatives, manage portfolios and budgets, and build partnerships across scientific, commercial, and operational teams. They often communicate complex scientific work to executives, collaborators, customers, or regulators.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers typically seek substantial experience in a relevant life sciences field, a record of leading teams or complex programs, and the ability to make decisions using scientific and business evidence. Depending on the role, useful qualifications may include an advanced degree in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline; expertise in drug development, clinical research, quality, regulatory affairs, or commercialization; and strong communication, project management, and strategic planning skills.

Where Director-Level Opportunities Are Found

Director, Life Sciences jobs can be found at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical device and diagnostics businesses, research organizations, contract research organizations, healthcare companies, and consulting firms. Focus areas may include research and development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, quality, data science, or business development.

Find Your Next Life Sciences Leadership Role

Use Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Search by specialty, location, and seniority to identify Director, Life Sciences roles that align with your experience and career goals. Review each listing for its specific responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation details.

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$124K - $132K *

Optimize product strategies for a fintech platform, enhancing user experience and compliance in property management accounting. Collaborate with experts to drive efficiency and accuracy in high-volume...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$115K - $130K *

Engage with stakeholders to drive product strategy and enhance the Affordable Equity platform. Collaborate with teams to translate user needs into actionable solutions, ensuring timely delivery and al...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$143K - $196K *

Drive compliance and security excellence in FedRAMP programs, collaborating across teams to ensure federal authorization requirements are met. Lead project management efforts, audits, and continuous m...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Champion new business growth by owning the sales cycle in a defined territory, effectively engaging C-level executives, and leveraging strategic selling techniques to exceed revenue goals and cultivat...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Shape your career by developing innovative automation solutions for complex material handling challenges. Collaborate with a diverse team to design, engineer, and implement high-performing systems tha...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$108K - $140K *

Drive impactful transformation initiatives by leading complex, cross-functional programs. Collaborate with teams and vendors to ensure successful delivery, manage risks, and align resources to achieve...

Denver, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to driving sales and market strategies in the South-Gulf Region. Lead initiatives, foster relationships, and achieve regional goals while collaborating with cross-function...

Houston, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $165K *

Shape the future of property accounting by leading a dynamic team, ensuring timely financial reporting, and driving innovative processes that enhance client trust and operational efficiency across mul...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$112K - $147K *

Lead a high-performing team to optimize Core HCM (Workday) and HR solutions. Collaborate across functions to enhance employee experience and deliver strategic initiatives aligned with business goals...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$125K - $150K *

Lead the evolution of cloud and DevOps solutions, driving automation and best practices while enhancing software delivery efficiency and reliability for impactful global initiatives...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $158K *

Help us advance financial analysis by evaluating deal structures, managing projects, and delivering insights. Engage with clients, enhance value through collaboration, and lead junior team members to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$95K - $110K *

Join our mission to streamline operations! Oversee contract management and vendor relationships, ensuring smooth processes and strong partnerships. Utilize detail-oriented skills to enhance efficiency...

San Diego, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's focused on driving sales growth in the plastics industry. Utilize your technical expertise and sales experience to foster customer partnerships and deliver tailored solutions across...

South Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $220K *

Shape the future of healthcare real estate by leading a dynamic transaction management team. Oversee negotiations, staff development, and strategic planning to drive client success and enhance operati...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$102K - $182K *

Join a team that's driving impactful fundraising strategies to secure major gifts for Africa's conservation initiatives. Collaborate with experts to cultivate donor relationships and manage a portfoli...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$92K - $134K *

Pioneer innovative building automation designs, enhancing efficiency and quality. Collaborate with teams to deliver optimized solutions while mentoring junior staff and driving process improvements in...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $140K *

Transform regional accounts by developing strategic programs and building strong relationships with local decision-makers. Drive growth through effective budgeting, insights, and innovative solutions...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$140K - $160K *

Elevate key account management by developing strategies, driving sales, and fostering relationships with major clients to maximize Festo's market share and profitability across complex customer networ...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$93K - $137K *

Elevate your career by leading initiatives that drive innovation and performance, overseeing multifaceted projects that impact our operations, and collaborating across teams to achieve strategic objec...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Optimize customer success by delivering expert implementation and integration services across diverse industries. Collaborate with sales and engineering teams to ensure seamless onboarding and technic...

Colorado, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $170K *

Lead the charge in managing strategic partnerships, leveraging data insights to drive growth and retention. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance partner performance and operational excellence whi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Empower growth in a vital industrial sector by leading customer engagement and collaboration in Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota, focusing on advanced rotating equipment solutions for enhancing plan...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Lead critical incident management for AI infrastructure, driving rapid resolution and operational resilience through effective coordination, communication, and analysis across technical teams and data...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$128K - $186K *

Elevate your career by leading complex retail financial projects, from renovations to infrastructure upgrades. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results while ensuring com...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$85K - $100K *

Transform supply chain efficiency through innovative technology solutions, guiding engineering operations and strategic initiatives while ensuring optimal performance across diverse applications in an...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Life Sciences do?question toggle

    A Director of Life Sciences leads a scientific, technical, or business function. Depending on the employer, the role may involve setting strategy, managing teams and budgets, overseeing research or clinical programs, and coordinating with regulatory, commercial, and operational groups.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director, Life Sciences jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by specialty and employer. Many roles call for significant life sciences experience, leadership or program-management achievements, and relevant technical expertise. Some positions prefer or require an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D., M.D., or a master's degree in a related field.

  • Which industries hire Directors of Life Sciences?question toggle

    Employers include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical device and diagnostics firms, clinical research organizations, healthcare businesses, research institutions, and consulting firms.

  • What specialties are available for Director, Life Sciences roles?question toggle

    Director-level openings may focus on research and development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, quality, manufacturing, medical affairs, data science, or business development. Specific areas depend on the company and its products or services.

  • How can I find Director, Life Sciences jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Ladders for vetted professional openings and refine your search by role, location, and specialty. Check each job listing for its stated compensation range and requirements; pay varies by employer, experience, and location.