VP, Head of Preclinical Development

Legend Biotech US; New Jersey; On-site; USD 294,483 - 386,511; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Eight weeks of parental leave

Job summary

Legend Biotech seeks a visionary scientist-leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development. You will lead the full preclinical program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology for all pipeline compounds globally, shaping strategy and standards.

You will build and guide a high-performing team, interact with regulatory partners, and drive IND-enabling efforts across CAR-T and other cell therapies in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years in progressive preclinical drug development with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Deep expertise in at least two of in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, or toxicology with working knowledge of the third.
• GLP toxicology experience including repeat-dose studies in NHP or rodents.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development.
• Successful IND submissions with leadership for nonclinical sections.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the preclinical development strategy across all programs globally.
• Serve as internal scientific authority for in vitro/in vivo pharmacology and toxicology.
• Lead preclinical science for modalities including CAR-T, ex vivo therapies, and gene-modified platforms.
• Integrate PK/PD/safety data into narratives guiding clinical development and dosing.
• Assess portfolio risks and support lifecycle management and partnerships.
• Own IND preclinical components and oversee regulatory summaries and study tabulations.
• Build and develop a high-performing preclinical team and CRO partnerships.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence and regulatory integrity.

Skills

Leadership

Preclinical

IND experience

CRO management

Team mentoring

Regulatory knowledge

Education

PhD in pharmacology/toxicology

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR‑T), and natural killer (NK) cell‑based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting‑edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta‑cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a VP, Head of Preclinical Development as part of the Early Drug Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

Legend Biotech is a clinical‑stage biotech company developing cell therapies for hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. We are seeking an exceptional scientist‑leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development. This is a senior, externally visible leadership role accountable for the full preclinical development program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology for all pipeline compounds globally. The person will build and lead a high‑performing, integrated team, set scientific standards for the organization, and serve as the internal authority and external face for preclinical science across regulatory, partnership, and publication contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the preclinical development strategy across all pipeline programs globally from candidate nomination through IND‑enabling studies.
• Serve as the internal scientific authority on in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology — setting methodological standards, experimental design principles, and data interpretation frameworks.
• Lead preclinical science for novel modalities including lentiviral vector‑based in vivo CAR‑T, ex vivo cell therapies, and gene‑modified immune cell platforms, with deep understanding of the unique preclinical characterization requirements of each.
• Integrate preclinical datasets (PK, PD, safety, biodistribution, etc.) into coherent compound narratives that inform clinical development strategy, dose selection, and regulatory submissions.
• Contribute to portfolio decisions by providing rigorous preclinical risk assessments for new candidates, partnership assets, and lifecycle management opportunities.
• Own the preclinical component of IND applications, accountable for integrated pharmacology and toxicology summaries, study tabulations, and the Written Summary of nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology.
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing Preclinical Development team comprising in vitro pharmacology scientists, in vivo pharmacology scientists, and toxicologists — both internal staff and embedded CRO personnel.
• Set a culture of scientific excellence, objectivity, and regulatory integrity — where data are interpreted accurately regardless of programme pressure and where safety signals are escalated promptly and without bias.
• Mentor and develop team members at all levels; create individual development plans, provide regular performance feedback, and support career progression.

Requirements

• PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, cell biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in preclinical drug development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with direct accountability for IND‑enabling programs.
• Deep expertise in at least two of the three core functions (in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology), with working knowledge of the third.
• Demonstrated experience designing, overseeing, and interpreting GLP toxicology studies (repeat‑dose NHP or rodent, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity) in support of IND filing.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development.
• Track record of successful IND submissions with clear accountability for the nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology sections.
• Experience managing CRO relationships for outsourced preclinical and GLP studies, including vendor qualification, protocol development, monitoring, and report review.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and build high‑performing scientific teams in a fast‑paced biotech environment.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight weeks of paid parental leave after just three months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$294,483 - $386,511 USD

Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.