SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:
The Director, Medicinal Chemistry is a highly skilled and motivated senior level medicinal chemist who manages our small molecule drug discovery team. The ideal person is an exceptional chemistry team leader, overseeing a team of chemists to design and synthesize novel compounds for portfolio projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide scientific and transformative leadership to chemistry team members
- Collaborate with biology, DMPK and safety teams to advance quality compounds as potential drug candidates.
- Drive medicinal chemistry projects from target validation to chemical equity identification to lead optimization and drug candidate selection
- Participate and present in project team and departmental research meetings
- Maintain laboratory notebooks in accordance with company policies and practices
- Comply with safe laboratory practices and EH&S guidelines and promote a culture of safety in the laboratory
- Contribute to the writing of technical documents, patent applications, scientific manuscripts and preparation of conference presentations
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervises staff, including hiring, scheduling, and assigning work, reviewing performance, and recommends salary increases, promotions, transfers, demotions, or terminations.
- Directly supervises employee(s) through a dotted line structure or via other subordinate supervisors.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Education/Experience:
- Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and a minimum of 8 years related experience; or,
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience/The Ideal for Successful Entry into Job:
- Experience managing as a direct supervisor and in matrix teams
- Experience managing projects and/or workgroups in biotechnology organizations including experience with budget procedures
- Proven track record of delivering projects from target identification through optimization to high-quality drug candidates as evidenced by publications and/or patent applications
- Knowledgeable in all aspects of drug discovery including structure-based drug design and understanding of related disciplines
- Strong organic and medicinal chemistry bench skills with detailed knowledge of modern synthetic chemistry techniques, purification methods, and analytical techniques
- Target compound and synthetic pathway design
- Excellent problem solving and SAR analysis skills
- Extensive experience in a medicinal chemistry laboratory conducting research experiments and operating general chemistry equipment.
- General experience working with computers including MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel required.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of organic and medicinal chemistry techniques, theories and practices. Comprehensive understanding of current approaches in medicinal chemistry and the ability to incorporate them into the drug discovery program.
- Extensive knowledge of intellectual property matters related to drug discovery.
- Sets goals with understanding of priority and impact to program, department and organization.
- Applies advanced scientific and technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.
- Efficient use of scientific literature and chemical/scientific databases
- Ability to initiate program efforts and work effectively with CRO partners
- Good interpersonal skills, flexibility and works well within a team environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
JOB COMPLEXITY:
- Works in a fast-paced team environment as we continue to grow and evolve requiring regular reprioritization of projects while adhering to timelines and achievement of deliverables.
- As a subject matter expert, has an in-depth knowledge of medicinal chemistry and has a detailed understanding of cross functional disciplines.
- Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results.
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Location: Alameda, CA

Range for this position: $234,000 - $295,500

The base pay offered will take into account 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.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.
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.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
