Executive Director, Research Oncology

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 257,890 - 348,910; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement and Savings Plan

Group medical, dental and vision coverage

Flexible work models

Annual bonus program

Stock-based long-term incentives

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director of Oncology Research to lead the discovery and development of transformative therapeutics for cancer. This high-visibility role emphasizes strategy, team leadership, and impactful research.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in oncology drug development and a strong background in cancer biology. This position offers competitive compensation and benefits, including a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree & 6 years, or Masters & 10 years, or Bachelors & 12 years of oncology research experience.
• 6 years of managerial experience managing people or leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive research strategy and execution for oncology portfolio.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Advance preclinical programs.
• Leverage data and technology for decision-making.
• Shape external collaborations.

Skills

Oncology research experience

Leadership

Data integration

Communication skills

Education

Doctorate degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Executive Director, Oncology Research

What you will do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. In this vital role as the Executive Director, Oncology research you will drive the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. This is a high-visibility role offering the opportunity to shape strategy, lead cutting-edge science, inspire talent, and deliver meaningful impact for patients worldwide. Our Oncology Research team is at the forefront of this effort, advancing a bold pipeline of next-generation medicines.

The Executive Director will have extensive experience in oncology drug development, including proficiency leading large molecule and small molecule project teams from target discovery and validation to clinical candidate selection, and supporting clinical and translational studies. The Executive Director will have deep and broad knowledge of cancer biology, including cell signaling pathways, tumor genetics and subtypes, and mechanisms of response and resistance to existing therapeutics, will be essential. The ability to integrate large-scale human datasets, AI/ML, and translational insights into the research portfolio will be an advantage.

The Executive Director will have a central role in co-creating the next generation of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics. You will lead a research team, be responsible for a portfolio of preclinical programs, and drive preclinical activities to support clinical programs and external collaborations. You are a scientific leader who inspires your team and develops talent at all levels. Your strategic vision and scientific expertise will be balanced by flexibility, resilience, and a demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive research strategy and execution for a differentiated oncology portfolio.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams of project leaders and scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and growth.
• Advance preclinical programs and partner cross-functionally with clinical development and biomarker teams to translate insights into next-generation therapies.
• Leverage data and technology to accelerate discovery and decision-making.
• Shape external collaborations, including academic partnerships and business development opportunities.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The candidate we seek is an experienced leader with the following qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree & 6 years of oncology research experience OR
• Masters degree & 10 years of oncology research experience OR
• Bachelors degree & 12 years of oncology research experience AND
• 6 years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs or directing the allocation of resources

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD) in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with at least 15 years of industry experience in oncology research following postdoctoral training.
• Demonstrated success leading oncology drug discovery programs from early preclinical phase through IND/CTA submission.
• Proven scientific accomplishment and innovation in oncology research as evidenced by high-impact publications, invited presentations to congresses, and inventorship on patents.
• Experience establishing and leading successful external partnerships and research collaborations that result in publications and/or that support clinical study design.
• Experience leading diligence on business development opportunities that advanced to partnerships.
• Familiarity with AI/ML models and application to drug development.
• Inclusive, transparent leadership style that puts patients and science first and develops talent at all levels.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.

Leadership Attributes

• Inspire: Create a connected, inclusive, and inspiring work environment that empowers talent to thrive
• Accelerate: Enable speed that matches the urgency of patient needs by encouraging progress over perfection
• Integrate: Connect the dots to amplify the collective power of Amgen to drive results for patients, staff, and shareholders
• Adapt: Lead through change by adapting to an ever-changing environment and defining a clear course of action to deliver results

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is $257,890 - $348,910. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Award-winning time-off plans and bi-annual company-wide shutdowns
• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.