Senior Director, Analytical Sciences

Verrica Pharmaceuticals; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy & impact

Performance-based bonus

Medical, dental, vision

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Verrica Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Senior Director, Analytical Sciences to lead analytical strategy and oversight across drug substances, raw materials, and products. You will guide method development, validation, transfer, and stability programs while coordinating with external labs and vendors.

The role emphasizes regulatory submissions (INDs, NDAs) and cGMP compliance, requiring a PhD and 15+ years in analytical sciences within pharma/biotech.

Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 15+ years in pharma/biotech.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory requirements for drug substances/products.
• Experience leading diverse analytical teams including CRO/CDMOs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical strategy aligned with company objectives.
• Oversee method development, validation, and transfer for drug substances and products.
• Manage vendor relationships and external labs.
• Prepare regulatory submissions and risk assessments.
• Ensure cGMP compliance and data integrity.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical chemistry expertise

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field

Job description

About Verrica Pharmaceuticals

At Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Verrica") we are passionate about developing innovative therapies for dermatological diseases, including skin cancers. Our commercial product, YCANTH, is the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum, a skin infection commonly affecting children, and we have several future products in development. If you love having direct access to senior leaders and an opportunity to excel in a fast-paced, small-pharma environment, we’re the team for you.

About Verrica Pharmaceuticals

At Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Verrica") we are passionate about developing innovative therapies for dermatological diseases, including skin cancers. Our commercial product, YCANTH, is the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum, a skin infection commonly affecting children, and we have several future products in development. If you love having direct access to senior leaders and an opportunity to excel in a fast-paced, small-pharma environment, we’re the team for you.

Position Summary

As Senior Director, Analytical Sciences, you will be responsible for providing analytical strategy and oversight, for testing of Verrica's pharmaceutical products, including: vendor management; document preparation for regulatory submissions; specification setting; analytical test method development, method validation, method transfer, and stability programs for drug substances, raw materials, and drug products; and device characterization and performance testing.

Summary Of Position Responsibilities

Analytical Sciences Strategy and Execution

• Develop CMC Department’s analytical strategy in alignment with company objectives and drive execution of such strategy.
• Set specifications and provide technical oversight of all analytical testing to advance R&D clinical projects and deliver commercial supplies.
• Direct analytical method development, validation, and transfer for small molecule and peptide drug substances, raw materials, and drug products.
• Manage product and analytical lifecycle changes and drive improvements for drug substance, raw materials, and drug product.
• Direct external consultants, contract labs, contract supplier technical teams, and other external technical resources.
• Design and execute appropriate drug substance and drug product stability programs to support product development, registration, and commercial supply.
• Prepare supporting documentation for technical projects including risk assessments, data analysis, and technical reports, as required.

Data Quality and Regulatory Analysis

• Review analytical release and stability data and perform data analysis and trending in support of projects.
• Prepare analytical sections of regulatory submissions including IND, IMPDs, milestone briefing packages (Pre IND/NDA Meetings, EOP2 Agency Meetings), NDA, SNDA, MAA and other global regulatory submissions.
• Work with Quality and Technical Operations teams and provide SME input to ensure all Out-of-Specification and Laboratory Investigation issues are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Interact with international regulatory agencies on CMC analytical topics, as appropriate.
• Contribute to authoring and maintenance of SOPs appropriate for cGMP compliance.

Maintain Operational Excellence

• Act as Subject Matter Expert across the company to support decisions, solve problems, and drive improvements in clinical, non-clinical, regulatory, operations, and product development functions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and external SMEs, as needed.
• Monitor and drive vendor performance.

Education And Experience Requirements

• PhD degree in Analytical Chemistry or related field. At least 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in Analytical Sciences within the pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries, combination products, peptides, small molecules, CMC, drug substance and drug product, clinical and non-clinical.
• Must have knowledge of the relevant regulations, regulatory process, and requirements
• Extensive experience in Drug Product analysis including Raw Materials, Specifications, method development, method validation, and method transfer
• Must have demonstrated experience in managing teams of diverse analytical backgrounds including analytical work at CRO/CDMOs
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to Verrica's vision, mission, core values and culture.

Physical Position Requirements

Must be able to sit for extended periods of time at a desk. Normal requirements for office operations with respect to lifting, standing and walking.

JOIN US!

For the opportunity to be part of a ground-floor commercial team at a growing pharmaceutical company

• Autonomy, trust, and the ability to help shape access strategy-not just execute it
• A fast-moving culture where your voice matters and your work has real impact
• Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits
• Performance-based discretionary bonus compensation
• This position includes medical, dental, vision insurance as well as a 401k plan and paid time off

If you’re passionate about helping patients access medicines, energized by challenge, and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of dermatology - let’s talk!