Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation Discovery

BioSpace; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Total rewards plan

Retirement/Savings plan

Stock-based incentives

Flexible work models

Job summary

Amgen seeks a Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation to lead early discovery inflammation research for small molecule programs from target identification through preclinical assessment to IND/FIH.

The role provides strategic, scientific leadership across the Inflammation Small Molecule Research portfolio, defining target- and portfolio-level strategies, and leading matrixed teams across sites.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with immunology discovery research experience.
• 5+ years of leadership/people-management experience.
• Strong scientific leadership in inflammation/immunology fields.

Responsibilities

• Develop integrated discovery strategies linking target biology to therapeutic modalities.
• Provide scientific and organizational leadership for inflammation programs.
• Oversee pipeline programs through key decision points with rigorous biology.
• Represent Inflammation Research in governance forums and portfolio strategy.
• Identify and evaluate external innovation and internal pipeline opportunities.
• Lead matrixed teams across sites and functions with accountability and rigor.
• Mentor scientists in small molecule drug discovery and leadership roles.
• Guide senior management on science, portfolio and organizational decisions.
• Contribute to broader site leadership initiatives and culture.

Skills

Immunology discovery

Scientific leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Strategic portfolio guidance

Education

Doctorate degree

Masters degree

Bachelors degree

People management experience

Job description

Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients living with serious illnessesdrives all that we do.

Since 1980, weve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worlds toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, youll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, youll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation Discovery

What you will do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. In this vital role you will lead early discovery inflammation research for small molecule programs at Amgen from target identification through preclinical assessment to IND and FIH.

The Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation will provide strategic, and scientific leadership across Amgens Inflammation Small Molecule Research portfolio, with accountability for advancing high-impact programs from early discovery through clinical and regulatory support. The Senior Director will define target- and portfolio-level strategies for small molecule modalities, including traditional small molecules, degraders, molecular glues, ADCs, and emerging chemistry-enabled approaches.

The Senior Director will serve as a senior scientific leader within Inflammation Research, representing the function across governance forums, portfolio reviews, and strategic initiatives. The role requires deep expertise in the molecular mechanisms of immunological diseases paired with experience leading matrixed teams in areas related to small molecule drug discovery including screening, medicinal chemistry, structural biology, PKDM and translational safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Through cross-functional collaboration, this Senior Director will develop integrated discovery strategies that connect target biology, molecular mechanism, and modality selection to maximize therapeutic impact for small molecule programs.


• Provide scientific and organizational leadership for inflammation programs and strategies.


• Oversee the advancement of pipeline programs through key decision points, ensuring robust biology and mechanistic insight, clear development hypotheses, and fit-for-purpose data packages.


• Represent Inflammation Research in cross-functional and governance forums and portfolio strategy discussions.


• Identify and evaluate new therapeutic opportunities including external innovation and internal pipeline expansion.


• Lead highly matrixed teams across sites and functions, fostering collaboration, accountability, scientific rigor, and delivery through organizational change.


• Mentor TA scientists in small molecule drug discovery and program leadership roles.


• Provide expert guidance to senior management on high-impact science, portfolio, and organization.


• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to scientific talent while strengthening team capabilities.


• Create a cohesive, inclusive, creative and high-performing scientific culture.


• Contribute to broader site and functional leadership initiatives, including culture, sustainability, operational excellence, and cross-functional engagement.


• Maintain strong internal and external scientific presence through publications, presentations, collaborations, and thought leadership in immunology and inflammation.


• Partner with Research and Development colleagues as needed to support clinical strategy, regulatory submissions, protocol development, and responses to preclinical or scientific questions.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The Senior Director we seek is a seasoned researcher with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree and 5 years of immunology discovery research experience


• OR


• Masters degree and 9 years of immunology discovery research experience


• OR


• Bachelors degree and 11 years of immunology discovery research experience


• In addition to meeting at least one of the above requirements, you must have at least 5 years of experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs, or directing the allocation or resources. Your managerial experience may run concurrently with the required technical experience referenced above.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD and/or MD with specialization in a relevant discipline


• Extensive experience leading project teams (e.g., PTL or similar)


• Immunology research credentials with expertise in leading programs and people and publications; this could come from various relevant areas including Chemistry, PKDM, Immunology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Dermatology, or Neuroscience.


• A scientist with a passion for biological discovery and pursuit of novel small molecule therapeutics with an exemplary track record of success emanating from current leadership experience in academia or the biopharmaceutical industry


• Experience as a target and drug hunter combined with scientific excellence


• A deep curiosity to understand tissue and disease pathobiology as it relates to clinical unmet need and drug discovery


• Ability to make scientific connections across functions and therapeutic areas


• Ability to recruit, retain and develop top talent


• Experience with mentorship and career development of colleagues and reports

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.

Benefits

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


• In Addition To The Base Salary, Amgen Offers a Total Rewards Plan, Based On Eligibility, Comprising Of Health And Welfare Plans For Staff And Eligible Dependents, Financial Plans With Opportunities To Save Towards Retirement Or Other Goals, Work/life Balance, And Career Development Opportunities That May Include


• A 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


• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

Application deadline

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

Company Culture

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Accessibility

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided 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.