Director, Global Program Lead, External Innovation & Due Diligence

Scorpion Therapeutics; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking an R&D project lead to drive external opportunity due diligence for neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare and rare diseases in clinical-stage assets. You will synthesize scientific, clinical, regulatory, and financial data into strategic recommendations for senior leadership.

Hybrid model in San Diego, San Francisco, or Princeton with ~3 days in-office; travel domestically and internationally as needed; collaboration with Business Development and internal teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• 10–12 years of pharma/biotech R&D experience with clinical-stage program management.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex data and influence decisions in a matrix environment.
• Strong neuroscience or rare disease experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional evaluation of external assets.
• Develop diligence workplans and integrated development scenarios.
• Synthesize scientific, clinical, regulatory, and financial data into strategic recommendations for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with Business Development and internal teams to support in-licensing, acquisitions, and partnerships; contribute to portfolio prioritization and external network engagement.

Skills

Clinical-stage program management

Portfolio strategy

Cross-functional asset evaluation

Scientific evaluation skills

Neuroscience experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Role

Serve as R&D project lead for external opportunity due diligence, focusing on clinical-stage assets in neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and rare diseases.

Responsibilities

lead cross-functional evaluation of external assets, develop diligence workplans, create integrated development scenarios, and synthesize scientific, clinical, regulatory, and financial data into strategic recommendations for senior leadership. Collaborate with Business Development and internal teams to support in-licensing, acquisition, and partnership evaluations; contribute to portfolio prioritization and external network engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline; 10-12 years in pharma/biotech R&D, with experience in clinical-stage program management, portfolio strategy, and cross-functional asset evaluation; strong scientific evaluation skills, especially in neuroscience or rare diseases preferred; proven ability to synthesize complex data and influence in a matrix environment.

HighValue

focus on neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and rare disease therapeutics; clinical-stage assets; strategic evaluations supporting licensing and partnership decisions; global collaboration.

WorkSetup

hybrid model in San Diego, San Francisco, or Princeton with an average of three days in-office; some domestic and international travel required.