Senior Director / VP, Preclinical Research & Partnerships

Vivtex; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivtex seeks a Senior Director/VP to lead Preclinical Research & Partnerships in Cambridge, MA. You will steer programs from discovery through preclinical stages and manage strategic collaborations with pharma and biotech partners.

The ideal candidate has a PhD with 10+ years of biotech leadership, a proven track record in oral peptide delivery, and strong cross-functional collaboration, negotiation and strategic planning skills.

Qualifications

• PhD and postdoc in life sciences required.
• Minimum 10 years as an R&D leader in biotech and/or big pharma with partnerships exposure.
• Expertise in oral peptide delivery, solid dosage formulation, PK validation.
• Leadership in cross-functional teams and strategic program management.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external programs from discovery to preclinical/clinical development.
• Provide scientific leadership for oral peptide delivery and formulation development.
• Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders and potential partners.
• Collaborate with R&D, IP, finance and legal to align partnerships.

Skills

R&D leadership

Strategic partnerships

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Postdoc

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data analysis tools

LLM platforms

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to fill the role of Senior Director / VP, Preclinical Research & Partnerships at Vivtex Corporation in Cambridge, MA, US. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for driving the company's strategic growth by leading R&D activities and managing the company’s active partnerships with Big Pharma and Biotech. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned scientific leader with a unique blend of scientific excellence, strategic vision, and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration across internal and external stakeholders. Specifically, the chosen candidate will be a highly respected leader in the field of oral peptide delivery, or relevant fields, with a strong track record of leading interdisciplinary programs, including larger collaborations with Pharma and Biotech companies.

Key Responsibilities

• R&D Execution: Lead internal and external programs spanning interdisciplinary research around oral peptide drug delivery from research stage to pre-clinical/clinical development. Provide scientific leadership and supervision to a team of talented and driven scientists based in Cambridge, MA, USA, as well as Zurich, Switzerland. Proactively adjust ongoing projects to ensure alignment with the overall R&D strategy and business objectives of the company. Spearhead the planning of new and existing internal and external programs in close collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Scientific Leadership: Act as a key scientific leader in the field of oral peptide delivery and formulation from initial drug delivery innovation and screening to solid dosage formulation prototyping and characterization, to evaluation of PK models and ultimately pre-clinical development support and oversight as needed. Actively engage with the scientific community and participate in scientific conferences to communicate scientific results and scout for technologies and innovations that are relevant to Vivtex. Based on an in-depth understanding of the internal work and the overall field, proactively propose new programs and collaborations to advance Vivtex leadership in oral peptide delivery as well as expand Vivtex capabilities in other business-relevant areas.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with key external stakeholders and potential partners across the biotech and pharma ecosystem.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with internal teams, including R&D, IP, finance, and legal, to ensure seamless execution of partnership initiatives and strategic alignment.

Qualifications and Skills

• Education: PhD and Postdoc in Life Sciences are required.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience as an R&D leader in Biotech and/or Big Pharma and has been exposed to and managed strategic partnerships. Strong expertise in oral peptide delivery from drug delivery innovation, clinically and commercially viable solid dosage formulation and characterization, as well as PK validation. Preferred: Proven track record of successfully moving assets into the clinic.
• Scientific Excellence: Distinguished scientific leader in oral peptide delivery or related fields. Deep expertise in drug delivery innovation, oral formulation, PK evaluation, and various in vitro assays. Experience in CMC and preclinical development as well as Phase 1 trials. Expertise in peptide chemistry and drug discovery preferred but not required.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of relevant market dynamics, industry trends, and the competitive landscape within the global market.
• Skills: Exceptional negotiation, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills are essential.
• Strategic Mindset: Strong strategic thinking, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills to identify innovative solutions and long-term growth opportunities.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience managing cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools, as well as using large language model platforms in daily work.

Location and Compensation

• Location: Office based in Boston, MA, USA, with occasional travel to the Zurich, Switzerland office. Must also be available for global travel to conferences and on-site meetings with biotech & pharma companies.
• Compensation: Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package commensurate with experience and industry standards.