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.
$210K - $250K *
Unlock your potential by leading medical strategies in a dynamic environment. Drive compliance, mentor a talented team, and collaborate with clients to ensure scientific accuracy in promotional materi...
1 week ago
Senior Director, Clinical Development
$332K - $360K *
Unlock potential by leading clinical development strategies and teams. Drive oncology programs from inception to regulatory submission, ensuring scientific rigor and operational excellence while colla...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion regulatory excellence by leading submissions and ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support innovative biopharmaceutical products...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Clinical Research Practitioner
$107K - $158K *
Engage in impactful clinical research by providing patient care and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with teams to enhance research operations and staff development while promoting be...
2 weeks ago
Associate Director, Small Molecule Analytical Development
$159K - $219K *
Shape the future of small molecule analytical development by leading innovative strategies and guiding a talented team. Collaborate across functions to ensure regulatory readiness and successful comme...
1 week ago
$200K - $290K *
Drive your career forward as a strategic leader in diabetes research, leveraging deep scientific expertise to guide innovative programs and enhance the drug discovery portfolio. Collaborate cross-func...
Reposted 2 days ago
$160K - $200K *
Oversee the full lifecycle of industrial capital projects, ensuring safety, quality, and budget adherence. Lead cross-functional teams and manage project controls while driving successful outcomes for...
3 days ago
Heath Systems Regional Scientific Director
$224K - $274K *
Champion strategic relationships with healthcare decision-makers, providing expert insights on products and disease areas. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance access and support HEOR ac...
2 weeks ago
Heath Systems Regional Scientific Director
$224K - $274K *
Advance your career by building strategic relationships with healthcare decision-makers, providing expert medical insights, and supporting market access initiatives in a dynamic, remote role focused o...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Lead the strategic vision and operations of the Quality department, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and client expectations while fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improve...
3 weeks ago
Director/Senior Director, Immunology
$180K - $220K *
Grow your career with a leadership role driving immunology strategies in drug discovery, integrating biology with chemistry and translational research. Lead teams, oversee projects, and collaborate wi...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Executive Director, Digital Product Management -Research
$249K - $336K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of digital technology in Research. Lead strategic initiatives that enhance scientific data quality and drive innovation in drug discovery, while managing a high-pe...
Today
Executive Director, Digital Product Management -Research
$249K - $336K *
Lead the charge in transforming research through innovative digital technology and data strategies. Drive scientific excellence by enhancing workflows and data products, ensuring Research teams have t...
Today
Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships
$160K - $200K *
Transform corporate research partnerships by developing strategies that align industry needs with academic expertise, fostering collaborations that drive innovation and secure funding for groundbreaki...
2 weeks ago
Executive Director of Corporate Research Partnerships
$160K - $200K *
Elevate your career by leading corporate research partnerships that drive innovation and collaboration. In this strategic role, you'll engage with industry leaders, foster transformative alliances, an...
2 weeks ago
Manager, Clinical Biomarker Operations
$143K - $178K *
Lead biomarker operations for Phase I-III oncology trials, ensuring protocol alignment, managing vendor relationships, and optimizing processes to support clinical research excellence and regulatory c...
3 weeks ago
Executive Director, Laboratory Services
$145K - $210K *
Drive high-quality laboratory operations by providing strategic and operational leadership. Oversee compliance, financial management, and workforce development to enhance patient care and support orga...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Sample Management
$164K - $205K *
Lead the charge in optimizing sample management operations by guiding staff through daily processes, ensuring compliance with best practices, and enhancing service delivery while collaborating across...
4 weeks ago
Head of Analytical Development
$272K - $490K *
Drive the analytical development strategy for mRNA and advanced therapies, leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure robust methods, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management from early develop...
1 week ago
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Lead the charge in Global Patient Safety, overseeing safety strategies and cross-functional collaboration to ensure optimal drug development and patient safety across therapeutic areas...
Today
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of patient safety by leading global strategies and cross-functional collaborations to ensure optimal safety support for innovative therapies. Make a meaningful im...
Today
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Shape the future of patient safety by leading global strategies and cross-functional teams to ensure optimal safety surveillance and regulatory compliance for assigned compounds in a dynamic, science...
Today
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Empower innovation by leading Global Patient Safety strategies, ensuring safety surveillance and regulatory compliance for assigned compounds. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance drug d...
Today
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Deliver impactful safety strategies as a key leader in Global Patient Safety, collaborating across teams to ensure optimal drug safety and compliance. Drive initiatives that enhance patient outcomes a...
Today
Director, Global Patient Safety Sciences - Oncology
$205K - $341K *
Shape the future of patient safety by leading global safety strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to enhance drug development and pat...
Today
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.