VP of Metabolic Diseases and/or Immunology & Inflammation

Sygnature Discovery; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading CRO in drug discovery is seeking a VP of Metabolic Diseases and/or Immunology & Inflammation. This role requires a Ph.D. and extensive experience in drug discovery, along with strong networking and negotiation skills. The position is hybrid/remote, focused on advancing drug candidates and contributing to commercial opportunities. Competitive benefits include 25 vacation days and private medical insurance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Sygnature Group Pension Scheme

1 paid volunteer day per year

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in drug discovery in medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, or pharmacology.
• Excellent networking skills and influence in drug discovery.
• Ability to communicate across scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Responsibilities

• Work with leadership to identify areas for scientific focus and commercial opportunities.
• Establish relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Mentor employees across departments with scientific integrity.

Skills

Networking skills

Scientific negotiation skills

Critical thinking

Self-starter

Influencer

Education

Ph.D. in relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Background

Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada, with headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal, and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, including 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech, and NFP organisations.

Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 56 novel pre-clinical and 35 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 225 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and more. To find out more, please visit www.sygnaturediscovery.com.

About the role

As part of our continued growth, we’re recruiting an experienced VP of Metabolic Diseases and/or Immunology & Inflammation to join our Therapeutics team, either in Nottingham or Montreal. This role is hybrid/remote.

We’re seeking an expert with a proven track record of advancing drug candidates into human clinical trials, supported by an extensive publication and/or patent record. You will be recognized as a key opinion leader in your field, with a strong reputation and established network.

You’ll bring a solid understanding of the CRO environment, gained through direct CRO experience or significant outsourcing exposure. Acting as a brand ambassador, you’ll promote our science internally and externally, working closely with business development and commercial teams to identify and secure new opportunities. You’ll contribute to client meetings, proposals, and contracts, providing scientific leadership and insight.

Strong commercial acumen, excellent communication, and negotiation skills are essential to help drive and elevate our drug discovery programs.

Travel will be required for client meetings, conferences, and team engagement across sites.

If you’re ready to join a growing CRO and want to apply your experience to shape the future of drug discovery, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities

1. Work with senior scientific, operational, and commercial leadership to identify areas for scientific focus and development, and commercial opportunities.
2. Identify gaps in current offerings and propose new services, models, or technologies.
3. Mentor employees across the department and therapeutic areas, supporting operational teams with scientific integrity, quality, and direction.
4. Identify opportunities for new business, partnerships, and market penetration.
5. Establish and nurture relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders, alongside internal teams.
6. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders globally, including senior management, R&D teams, and external collaborators/clients.
7. Collaborate with external partners and academic institutions to enhance therapeutic and research expertise.
8. Cultivate long-term relationships with strategic clients and attend account management meetings to ensure alignment and project success.
9. Support the evaluation of feasibility and scope of new client requests from a scientific and operational perspective.

Skills & Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry) or equivalent extensive industry experience.
2. Extensive experience in drug discovery, in medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, or pharmacology.
3. Excellent networking skills, including conference attendance, presentations, and writing blog articles.
4. A critical thinker and influencer who can leverage experience to enhance drug discovery programs.
5. Scientific negotiation skills to find mutually beneficial solutions.
6. Willingness to expand scientific and business knowledge.
7. Self-starter capable of working and communicating across scientific and non-scientific audiences.
8. Ability to interact across multiple drug discovery projects.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Sygnature Group Pension Scheme
• 1 paid volunteer day per year

If you have questions or need further information, contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail]. Please do not submit applications to this email address.