Explore Director of Sciences opportunities for experienced professionals ready to lead research teams, shape scientific strategy, and turn complex findings into meaningful results. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more across fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, academia, and industrial research.
Directors of Sciences guide scientific programs and teams from strategy through execution. Depending on the organization, they may oversee research and development, set priorities and budgets, ensure quality and regulatory compliance, and communicate results to executives, partners, or customers. The role often combines deep subject-matter expertise with people leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
Employers typically seek substantial experience in a relevant scientific discipline, a record of leading projects or teams, and the ability to connect research goals with organizational priorities. A graduate degree—often a Ph.D. or equivalent—may be preferred or required, depending on the field. Valuable skills include scientific strategy, program management, data interpretation, clear communication, budgeting, and familiarity with applicable regulations and research standards.
Director-level science roles can be found in life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical research, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare, environmental science, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Job titles and responsibilities vary: some directors lead a specialized research function, while others oversee multiple teams, laboratories, or portfolios. Review each posting for its discipline, scope, location, and leadership expectations.
Use Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by specialty, employer, and location, and focus your search on positions that match your scientific background and leadership experience. Keep your resume current and highlight measurable outcomes, such as research milestones, successful launches, funding secured, or teams developed.
Operations and Quality Engineer, Sustaining Engineering
$93K - $158K *
Join a team that's focused on building operational structure and lifecycle systems for AI Science Factories. This role supports cross-functional collaboration, ensuring scalable, lightweight workflows...
Reposted 6 days ago
$100K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead clinical trials and mentor staff, ensuring compliance and excellence in research. Drive strategic growth while fostering collaboration and innovation in a fast-paced en...
2 weeks ago
$221K - $286K *
Shape the future of patient safety by leading innovative strategies for CAR-T therapies. Your expertise will guide cross-functional teams in optimizing safety practices and ensuring regulatory complia...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director, Preclinical Research and Development
$220K - $260K *
Champion innovative drug development by leading preclinical R&D efforts. Drive projects from discovery to IND-ready candidates, collaborating with teams and managing external partners to achieve key m...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Develop and optimize Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) through innovative experiments, collaborating cross-functionally to support process characterization and regulatory submissions, while mentoring ot...
6 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's committed to operational excellence and innovation. You will lead the operations function to design scalable systems and drive cross-functional success, ensuring the company thrives...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Unlock potential by driving operational excellence across functions, leading the operations team, and building scalable processes for rapid growth. Ensure cohesion in a complex environment, empowering...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$240K - $328K *
Shape the future of medical affairs by developing strategic plans, driving data generation, and fostering key relationships. Collaborate across functions to enhance understanding and communication of...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead strategic initiatives and operational excellence as the chief executive, ensuring high-quality care and fiscal integrity while fostering community partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Scientist, High-Throughput Protein Binder Screening
$120K - $145K *
Champion high-throughput protein binder screening by leading a skilled team, optimizing protocols, and ensuring quality data delivery. Drive innovation in molecular cloning and library methods while c...
6 days ago
Scientist I/II, Functional Genomics
$110K - $155K *
Champion groundbreaking in vivo CRISPR screening initiatives and lead innovative genetic research projects that drive therapeutic discoveries through high-throughput functional genomics and advanced t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$214K - $343K *
Champion innovative research initiatives by leading a dynamic team, overseeing project execution, and enhancing collaboration across divisions while ensuring quality and compliance in a fast-paced env...
Yesterday
Associate Director, Investigations Excellence & Inspection Readiness
$142K - $256K *
Bring your expertise to a vital role enhancing investigation excellence and operational performance. Drive systemic improvements and maintain compliance to ensure inspection readiness across multiface...
3 weeks ago
Vice President, Clinical Operations
$200K - $250K *
Make your mark at the forefront of clinical operations, driving global studies from strategy to execution while ensuring operational integration across teams and vendors for successful Phase 3 program...
3 weeks ago
Executive Director, Decision Support and Analytics
$170K - $200K *
Elevate your career by leading enterprise-wide analytics and decision support. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance financial planning, operational effectiveness, and strategic insight...
2 days ago
Scientist I, In Vitro Pharmacology
$100K - $126K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative cell-based assays to drive discovery programs. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance platform growth and contribute to in vivo pharmacology activities, ens...
Reposted 6 days ago
Sr. Manager, Scientific Product Management
$130K - $155K *
Help us drive growth in our plasmid portfolio by executing strategic product management initiatives, optimizing performance, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that mee...
2 weeks ago
Director, Combination Product Program Lead
$205K - $225K *
Drive innovative drug-device combination programs from concept to clinic, orchestrating multidisciplinary collaboration while ensuring regulatory compliance and technical excellence, all in a fast-pac...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager - Medical Publications
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing diverse publications projects from start to finish. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensure client satisfaction, and maintain project budgets while dr...
2 weeks ago
Associate Director, Compliance Training
$177K - $221K *
Design and enhance a comprehensive compliance training program for US commercial operations, translating complex regulations into engaging learning experiences while collaborating cross-functionally t...
3 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of program management by leading cross-functional teams to implement complex manufacturing programs, ensuring adherence to budgets and timelines while driving strategic execution and...
6 days ago
Senior Scientist, Parenteral Drug Product Development
$138K - $184K *
Shape the future of drug development by leading formulation and process innovations for parenteral products. Collaborate across teams to ensure high-quality solutions that advance novel therapies and...
4 weeks ago
$222K - $242K *
Lead the charge in acquiring and securing clinical datasets to enhance the Ceribell EEG platform. Collaborate with researchers and hospitals to drive data integration, ensuring high-quality data for a...
1 week ago
Director, PK Sciences Clinical Pharmacology Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead
$185K - $344K *
Transform clinical pharmacology by leading AI-driven strategies that enhance drug development. Collaborate across disciplines to integrate innovative solutions, ensuring effective project execution an...
Reposted 3 days ago
Director, Integration Engineering
$160K - $200K *
Drive innovation by leading integration engineering for healthcare AI, ensuring seamless EHR connectivity and operational excellence. Collaborate across teams to enhance patient engagement tools and m...
2 weeks ago
What does a Director of Sciences do?
A Director of Sciences leads scientific teams or programs, sets research priorities, oversees execution and resources, and communicates findings and progress to organizational stakeholders. Responsibilities depend on the employer and scientific discipline.
What qualifications are commonly required for Director of Sciences jobs?
Employers generally expect extensive experience in a relevant scientific field and a strong record of project or team leadership. Many roles prefer or require an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D., though requirements vary by industry and position.
Which industries hire Directors of Sciences?
Common employers include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, healthcare and medical device organizations, research institutions, technology companies, and businesses in environmental science or advanced manufacturing.
How much do Director of Sciences jobs pay?
Compensation varies by industry, location, experience, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for salary details.
How can I find Director of Sciences jobs on Ladders?
Browse the Director of Sciences listings and refine your search by location, specialty, or other preferences. Review each role’s qualifications and responsibilities, and tailor your resume to emphasize relevant scientific leadership and results.