Head of Neuroscience Discovery - High-growth Biotech

About the Company

• Our client is a rapidly growing, innovation-driven biotechnology company committed to developing transformative therapies for patients suffering from chronic pain, neurological disorders, and other diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
• Backed by a strong scientific vision and a culture of innovation, the company is building a differentiated neuroscience pipeline and seeks a strategic discovery leader to advance novel targets from early research through clinical candidate nomination and IND-enabling development.

About the Job

This is a critical scientific leadership role responsible for shaping the company’s neuroscience discovery strategy and advancing innovative therapeutics in pain and neurological diseases. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary discovery programs, build scientific capabilities, and drive the progression of assets from target identification through IND submission.

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for neuroscience discovery programs, with particular emphasis on pain biology, peripheral neuroscience, and related neurological disorders.
• Drive target identification, target validation, translational research, and early drug discovery efforts to support the development of first- and best-in-class therapeutics.
• Lead the development and application of in vitro and in vivo disease models to support mechanism validation, candidate optimization, biomarker identification, and IND-enabling studies.
• Establish and execute discovery strategies that enable the successful transition of programs from research through preclinical development and into clinical development.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and make critical scientific decisions regarding program prioritization, resource allocation, and development strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Development, Translational Medicine, Regulatory Affairs, and External Innovation teams to ensure seamless progression of pipeline assets.
• Guide the selection and advancement of preclinical candidates, including assessment of efficacy, safety, translational relevance, and development feasibility.
• Contribute to biomarker discovery and translational science initiatives that strengthen clinical proof-of-mechanism and proof-of-concept strategies.
• Build and maintain a robust external scientific network, including Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), academic institutions, biotechnology partners, CROs, and industry collaborators.
• Lead outsourced research activities and manage CROs, strategic partners, and scientific collaborations to ensure high-quality execution and timely delivery.
• Monitor emerging scientific trends, competitive intelligence, and technological advances within neuroscience, pain, and related therapeutic areas.
• Support portfolio strategy and governance by evaluating new therapeutic opportunities, emerging targets, and external innovation initiatives.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing neuroscience discovery organization capable of supporting long-term pipeline growth.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making within the R&D organization.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Pharmacology, Pain Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of combined academic and industry experience, including significant leadership responsibility within drug discovery organizations.
• Proven industry experience in neuroscience drug discovery, ideally within innovative biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
• Prior experience in global pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies is highly desirable.
• Deep scientific expertise in neuroscience, with strong preference for experience in peripheral nervous system biology, head and neck pain, neuropathic pain, chronic pain mechanisms, or related molecular pathways.
• Demonstrated leadership in early-stage drug discovery, including target validation, lead optimization, candidate selection, and preclinical development.
• Track record of advancing discovery programs from research through IND-enabling studies and successful IND submissions.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams and influencing strategic R&D decisions within a matrix organization.
• Proven success managing CROs, external scientific collaborations, and strategic research partnerships.
• Strong understanding of translational science, biomarker development, and the application of disease models to support drug development decisions.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly innovative environment characterized by scientific complexity and ambiguity.
• Exceptional scientific judgment, analytical thinking, problem-solving capability, and decision-making skills.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and stakeholder management skills with demonstrated success building collaborative relationships across organizations.
• Experience establishing productive relationships with leading academic investigators and industry KOLs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High level of intellectual curiosity, scientific rigor, integrity, and passion for advancing innovative therapies for patients.

Why This Opportunity?

• Take a pivotal leadership role in shaping the neuroscience and pain discovery strategy within a highly innovative biotechnology company.
• Lead the advancement of novel therapeutics from target discovery through IND submission, directly influencing the future pipeline and scientific direction of the organization.
• Build and grow a world-class neuroscience discovery team while working alongside experienced industry and scientific leaders.
• Engage with leading global experts, cutting-edge science, and breakthrough technologies in one of the most exciting areas of drug development.
• Make a meaningful impact by developing innovative therapies that have the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from chronic pain and neurological diseases.