insitro · 1 hour ago
Senior Director, External Research & Development
South San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$264K/yr - $298K/yr
12+ years expinsitro is a drug discovery and development company utilizing machine learning and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. They are seeking a Senior Director of External Research & Development to lead their external R&D strategy and manage CRO alliances, ensuring successful project execution and collaboration across various departments.
BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceMachine LearningPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Responsibilities
External R&D Strategy: Lead the comprehensive external research strategy and set the direction for CRO alliance management, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and supporting the research portfolio. Represent insitro at senior-level partnership meetings and negotiations and ensures that business partnerships are managed in support of the research portfolio to enable effective delivery
Partner Network Management: Build, manage, and pursue innovative relationships with a strategic network of high-quality CROs and outside partners, ensuring the highest scientific and ethical standards
Project Execution & Oversight: Accountable for the successful scoping, monitoring, and execution of externally sourced projects across the vendor network according to project goals, spend, and timelines. Ensure strong partnership and communication with internal stakeholders
Governance & Compliance: Establish effective governance and partnership models (including KPIs/metrics), and collaborate with Legal and Procurement on partner selection, negotiation, and agreement execution
Process & Team Leadership: Lead a team to embed industry-leading processes and principles in vendor management, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and SOPs
Operational Review & Improvement: Oversee and regularly review the total scope of outsourced services (scientific, financial, and operational) to ensure effective resource management and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Qualification
Required
Typically possess a Bachelor's degree and 18+ years, or advanced education (e.g., PhD in a scientific discipline) and 12+ years of relevant experience (may include doctoral experience)
Excellent understanding of biotech/pharma R&D, preclinical research, clinical development, trial methodology, GCP, quality, and relevant regulatory standards and policies
Excellent understanding of the CRO landscape, including vendor capabilities and limitations, with in-depth experience soliciting, evaluating proposals, negotiating SOWs, and promoting strategic relationships
Experience building an external R&D strategy and managing collaborations with scientists, CROs, consultants, and pharmaceutical partners in a matrix environment
Strong knowledge of a broad range of nonclinical studies (Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical, Biology, Pharmacology)
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to see issues from multiple viewpoints and understand stakeholder needs
Proven ability to lead cross-functional groups, execute sourcing strategies, negotiate contracts, and manage 3rd party supplier relationships in an ambiguous, complex work environment
Direct people management experience with demonstrated competencies in growth mindset, mentoring, coaching, and a strong desire to promote the professional development of others
Preferred
Clinical Pharmacology and biomarker experience
Benefits
401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
Open, flexible vacation policy
Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
Support to attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and role's responsibilities
New hire stipend for home office setup
Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
Access to free onsite fitness center for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
Access to a free commuter bus and ferry network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area
Company
insitro
Insitro is a drug discovery and development startup that utilizes machine learning and biology to transform drug discovery.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
insitro has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (12)
2024 (12)
2023 (12)
2022 (7)
2021 (4)
2020 (8)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$643MKey Investors
CPP InvestmentsAndreessen Horowitz
2021-03-15Series C· $400M
2020-05-26Series B· $143M
2018-05-02Series A· $100M
Leadership Team
Daphne Koller
Founder and CEO
D
Divya Kanichar
Director
Recent News
2025-10-31
Company data provided by crunchbase