Head of Pre-Clinical Development (PSS07837)

Personnel Search Services Group; New Delhi; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to influence global patient access

Collaborative development programs

Leading breakthrough therapies

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Head of Pre-Clinical Development to drive the preclinical strategy and assets in development. This role involves leading global clinical development strategies, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of innovative therapies. Candidates should possess a PhD and over 10 years of relevant experience in biologics or small molecules. This executive position presents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of pharmaceutical innovation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in pre‑clinical development of biologics and/or small molecules.
• Experience in leading scientific teams and managing cross‑functional projects.
• Strong understanding of multi‑regional regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead preclinical strategies and provide IND‑enabling data.
• Design and execute non‑clinical studies including various models.
• Manage CROs and academic groups for preclinical studies.

Skills

Leadership in preclinical discovery

Cross-functional scientific management

Strategic thinking

Toxicology expertise

Regulatory understanding

Education

PhD in biological or pharmaceutical sciences

Job description

Head of Pre-Clinical Development (PSS07837)

Join to apply for the Head of Pre-Clinical Development (PSS07837) role at Personnel Search Services Group

About The Company

One of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies is expanding its innovative medicines portfolio across biologics and small-molecule programs. The organization focuses on translating scientific innovation into differentiated therapies that improve patient outcomes globally, supported by a strong R&D foundation and a growing international footprint.

Position Overview

The Head of Pre-clinical Development will lead the pre‑clinical strategy and assets in development, driving global clinical development strategies that bring transformative therapies to patients. Reporting to senior R&D leadership, this role works cross‑functionally with discovery, regulatory, commercial, and business development teams to advance innovative biologic and small‑molecule programs toward Phase I studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preclinical activities to provide IND‑enabling data for regulatory submissions.
• Design, execute, and interpret non‑clinical studies including in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models, as well as toxicology evaluations.
• Write study protocols, draft and review final reports, and present data to senior leadership.
• Oversee internal and external research studies across multiple programs, ensuring data integrity and timely delivery.
• Identify and manage CROs, academic groups, and partners for preclinical and bioassay studies supporting mechanism‑of‑action and lead candidate selection.
• Guide scientific staff to align research with corporate, partnering, and intellectual property objectives.
• Assess risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support due diligence for in‑licensing and regulatory submissions.
• Contribute to scientific communications, including posters, publications, patent applications, and investor relations materials.
• Collaborate with global clinical development, commercial, and medical affairs teams to ensure preclinical data supports value demonstration and progression to Phase I.
• Build external partnerships with organizations such as Gates and Wellcome to mobilize funding and expand collaborative development programs.
• Represent the preclinical perspective in business development and co‑development discussions.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Education: PhD in biological or pharmaceutical sciences.
• Experience: 10+ years in pre‑clinical development of biologics and/or small molecules within leading pharma or biotech organizations.
• Leadership: Proven success leading preclinical discovery groups and managing cross‑functional scientific teams.
• Technical Expertise: Experience in toxicology, CMC, mechanism cycle optimization, antibody design, and modeling approaches for human dose selection; strong understanding of multi‑regional regulatory requirements.
• Soft Skills: Strategic thinker with a global mindset, integrating scientific innovation, operational pragmatism, and commercial insight; willingness to travel internationally and engage with India‑based R&D teams in Mumbai and Delhi.

Why Consider this Opportunity?

• Shape the future of innovation within one of India’s fastest‑growing global pharmaceutical companies.
• Lead the development of breakthrough therapies across biologics and small molecules.
• Drive science from the bench to the bedside, influencing global patient access.
• Collaborate with world‑class partners and funding agencies to expand R&D impact.
• Play a pivotal role in building a next‑generation pipeline of innovative medicines.

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Business Development and Sales

Industries: Executive Search Services