Senior Director, Integrated AIDD

Location: Shanghai, China

Role overview

Be the scientific leader for client programs — pitch deals, mobilize and manage matrixed AI and wet-lab teams, and deliver IND-enabling candidates. We are seeking a seasoned Senior Director to own client relationships, define scientific strategy across discovery portfolios, integrate AI-driven design with experimental execution, and drive programs through IND (or PCC) decision points. This is a high-visibility, client-facing role combining scientific leadership, project delivery and business development.

Key responsibilities

• Lead client engagements from scientific pitch and proposal through execution and delivery of IND-enabling candidates; represent the company as the primary scientific contact.

• Define portfolio strategy and program plans: translate client goals into integrated AI/CADD, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, safety and biology workstreams with clear milestones, timelines and budgets.

• Manage matrixed project teams spanning computational scientists, medicinal and synthetic chemists, DMPK, safety, assay development and external CRO/CDMO partners to ensure coordinated delivery.

• Oversee IND-enabling study planning and execution, including risk identification/mitigation, resource allocation and go/no-go decision gates.

• Lead bid defenses, client negotiations and proposal writing; scope projects, estimate timelines/costs and articulate scientific value and differentiation.

• Drive CRO/CDMO integrations and vendor strategies; select and manage external partners to complement internal capabilities and meet program timelines.

• Ensure high quality scientific deliverables: review data, interpret results, and guide prioritization and chemistry design decisions to advance candidates.

• Mentor senior scientists and project leads; build client-trust through clear communication, scientific credibility and delivery excellence.

• Contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities within client portfolios and participating in strategic account planning.

• Champion best practices for integrating AI-driven discovery with wet-lab workflows and for reproducible project documentation.

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Biology, Pharmacology or a closely related discipline.

• 8–12+ years’ hands-on experience in drug discovery with progressive leadership responsibilities (industry preferred).

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary discovery programs and delivering candidates to PCC/IND or equivalent program milestones.

• Demonstrated client-facing experience including proposal development, bid defense and program scoping.

• Strong track record managing matrixed teams and coordinating internal and external partners (CROs/CDMOs).

• Exceptional scientific judgment in target selection, chemistry strategy, DMPK/safety integration and IND-enabling planning.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior clients and internal stakeholders.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, client-driven environment with multiple concurrent programs.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Prior Director-level experience at integrated discovery CROs or as a discovery lead at mid-size biotech.

• History of delivering IND or PCC candidates and experience with regulatory interactions.

• Business development experience with a track record of winning and expanding client programs.

• Familiarity with AI/AIDD platforms and successful integration of computational design with synthesis and biology.

• Publications, leadership in consortia or visibility in the field (conference talks, patents).

What we offer

• A senior scientific leadership role at the intersection of AI and drug discovery, influencing programs for global biotech clients.

• Opportunity to shape company strategy, lead high-impact programs and grow a multidisciplinary team in Shanghai.

• Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with market and experience.

• Career growth through leadership, business development and scientific visibility.

How to apply Please submit your CV and a concise cover note describing:

• Two programs you led from concept to IND (or PCC) — your role, key scientific decisions, timelines and outcomes.

• Examples of client pitches/proposals you developed and won (high-level descriptions are fine).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present a case study of a delivered program, including risk management, CRO/CDMO integration and how AI-driven insights were translated into experimental success. We welcome applicants already based in Shanghai or those willing to relocate.