Associate Director, Analytical Development (Small Molecule)

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid leave (caregiver/parental)

Health benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences is hiring an analytical development leader to drive method development, qualification, validation and transfer for small molecule programs from early development through commercialization.

You will oversee internal analytics and external CRO/CMO partnerships, guide regulatory dossier content, and develop staff to deliver high-quality scientific results within a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of analytical method development, qualification, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of ICH and FDA guidance related to analytical methods, stability, CTD, and CMC regulatory submissions.
• Experience evaluating analytical data, technical documents, and regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Recommends scientific and operational direction for assigned area and translates departmental strategy into tactical plans and team objectives.
• Leads analytical development activities across assigned programs/projects, including method development, qualification, validation, transfer, stability, and characterization.
• Provides technical leadership and recommends solutions to complex analytical development challenges.
• Oversees internal analytical activities and external CMO/CRO partnerships to support program timelines and deliverables.
• Partners with colleagues on the design, development, validation, and transfer of analytical methods for drug products.
• Contributes technical expertise to CMC regulatory dossiers and supports preparation and review of analytical sections for regulatory submissions.
• Evaluates analytical data, technical reports, and regulatory documentation to ensure scientific quality and compliance.
• Supports resource planning and prioritization for assigned activities in alignment with departmental objectives.
• Coaches and develops scientific staff and promotes a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.

Skills

Analytical development

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry/Pharmacy

Master's in Chemistry/Pharmacy

PhD in Chemistry/Pharmacy

Job description

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie) At Neurocrine, strong leadership drives both business results and team success. We look for leaders who think strategically, anticipate what’s ahead and set clear direction, while building and empowering high-performing teams. Successful leaders foster an environment where people are motivated to do their best work and deliver meaningful, measurable impact through sound decision-making and accountability.

About the Role:

Provides scientific and people leadership for an area within Analytical Development (AD) and Technical Operations (Tech Ops), focused on small molecule pharmaceuticals. Leads a sub-team in analytical development and/or serve as a CMC / analytical lead for multiple projects to guide internal and external analytical activities including method development, qualification, validation, transfer, control strategies, stability studies, and CMC submissions supporting drug substance and drug product development from early development through commercialization. Translates departmental strategy into operational plans, provides technical guidance, and develops scientific staff to support successful program execution.

Your Contributions

• Recommends scientific and operational direction for assigned area and translates departmental strategy into tactical plans and team objectives.
• Leads analytical development activities across assigned programs/projects, including method development, qualification, validation, transfer, stability, and characterization.
• Provides technical leadership and recommends solutions to complex analytical development challenges.
• Oversees internal analytical activities and external CMO/CRO partnerships to support program timelines and deliverables.
• Partners with colleagues on the design, development, validation, and transfer of analytical methods for drug products.
• Contributes technical expertise to CMC regulatory dossiers and supports preparation and review of analytical sections for regulatory submissions.
• Evaluates analytical data, technical reports, and regulatory documentation to ensure scientific quality and compliance.
• Supports resource planning and prioritization for assigned activities in alignment with departmental objectives.
• Coaches and develops scientific staff and promotes a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Common Knowledge & Skills

• Emerging internal scientific thought leader with strong technical expertise in analytical development.
• Applies in-depth scientific knowledge and critical thinking to resolve complex analytical development problems.
• Ability to translate established strategy and priorities into operational and tactical plans.
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and within a matrix environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and external relationships.
• Learning agility and willingness to evaluate innovative scientific approaches and technologies.

Job-Specific Knowledge & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of analytical method development, qualification, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of ICH and FDA guidance related to analytical methods, stability, CTD, and CMC regulatory submissions.
• Experience evaluating analytical data, technical documents, and regulatory submissions.
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and CMC regulatory expectations supporting drug substance and drug product development.
• Experience managing analytical activities with external CROs/CMOs.
• Knowledge of physicochemical characterization of APIs, drug substances, drug products, and related compounds.
• Understanding of formulation and process development and their relationship to analytical development.
• Previous people leadership and/or demonstrated leadership of scientific teams, projects, or external partners required.
• Emerging internal scientific thought leader with strong technical expertise in analytical development.
• Applies in-depth scientific knowledge and critical thinking to resolve complex analytical development problems.
• Ability to translate established strategy and priorities into operational and tactical plans.
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and within a matrix environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and external relationships.
• Learning agility and willingness to evaluate innovative scientific approaches and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline AND 10+ years of applicable pharmaceutical industry experience OR Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline AND 8+ years of applicable pharmaceutical industry experience OR PhD in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline AND 6+ years of applicable experience
• Strong knowledge of analytical method development, qualification, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting
• Strong knowledge of ICH and FDA guidance related to analytical methods, stability, CTD, and CMC regulatory submissions
• Experience evaluating analytical data, technical documents, and regulatory submissions
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and CMC regulatory expectations supporting drug substance and drug product development
• Experience managing analytical activities with external CROs/CMOs.
• Knowledge of physicochemical characterization of APIs, drug substances, drug products, and related compounds
• Understanding of formulation and process development and their relationship to analytical development
• Previous people leadership and/or demonstrated leadership of scientific teams, projects, or external partners required
• Emerging internal scientific thought leader with strong technical expertise in analytical development
• Applies in-depth scientific knowledge and critical thinking to resolve complex analytical development problems
• Ability to translate established strategy and priorities into operational and tactical plans
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and influencing skills
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and within a matrix environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and external relationships
• Learning agility and willingness to evaluate innovative scientific approaches and technologies

• Strong knowledge of analytical method development, qualification, validation, transfer, and troubleshooting
• Strong knowledge of ICH and FDA guidance related to analytical methods, stability, CTD, and CMC regulatory submissions
• Experience evaluating analytical data, technical documents, and regulatory submissions
• Knowledge of cGMP requirements and CMC regulatory expectations supporting drug substance and drug product development
• Experience managing analytical activities with external CROs/CMOs.
• Knowledge of physicochemical characterization of APIs, drug substances, drug products, and related compounds
• Understanding of formulation and process development and their relationship to analytical development
• Previous people leadership and/or demonstrated leadership of scientific teams, projects, or external partners required
• Emerging internal scientific thought leader with strong technical expertise in analytical development
• Applies in-depth scientific knowledge and critical thinking to resolve complex analytical development problems
• Ability to translate established strategy and priorities into operational and tactical plans
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and influencing skills
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and within a matrix environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and external relationships
• Learning agility and willingness to evaluate innovative scientific approaches and technologies

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.

We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements.

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $161,100.00-$220,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

We are a top place to work. Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work Certified company. ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

OUR VALUES:

PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference.

INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patients and our community. We take accountability. We speak up.

COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed.

INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions.

TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot.

Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!