VP of In Vivo

Background

Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada with its headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, which includes 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech and NFP organisations.

Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 40 novel pre-clinical and 22 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 170 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, fibrotic diseases and more.To find out more, please visit .

Job purpose

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the VP of In Vivo plays a crucial leadership role in overseeing and managing the in vivo research activities across Sygnature Discovery. The role is responsible for key decision making, the delivery of scientific excellence, the overall strategic direction of the departments, and driving innovation for a global group of 65 scientists. This position requires a combination of scientific expertise, leadership, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of in vivo research methodologies in different geographies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to the in vivo research departments, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Working with the senior leadership team to identify areas for scientific focus and development and commercial opportunities.
• Strategic oversight of recruitment, training and mentoring of employees within the departments to support the development of high-performing teams.
• Set clear scientific and commercial goals and performance expectations for the departments’, ensuring accountability is taken at all levels.

• Develop and implement a 3-5-year strategic business plan for Sygnature Discovery’s global in vivo pharmacology offering in alignment with overall organisational objectives.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate in vivo studies into broader research and development strategies.
• Through leadership and implementation of the strategic plan, drive efficiencies and implementation of new models to ensure we are market leading and able to offer a differentiated service to our customer base.
• Working with the Head of Operations, manage and plan space requirements and contract negotiations in line with medium- and longer-term strategic plan.

• Identify opportunities for new business, partnerships, and market penetration.
• Establish and nurture relationships with clients, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders alongside the department heads.
• Work closely with the Commercial team and department heads to identify and pursue new business opportunities, participating in client meetings, proposals, and negotiating contracts as applicable.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and methodologies in in vivo research, incorporating innovative approaches into study designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate in vivo data into a comprehensive understanding of drug discovery projects.

• Ensure that all in vivo research activities comply with or exceed ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies across multinational sites.
• Drive animal welfare standards and best practices across a multidisciplinary, multinational, environment.

• Effectively communicate with internal stakeholders, including senior management, research and development teams, and external collaborators.
• Collaborate with external partners, academic institutions etc. to enhance in vivo research capabilities.

• Stay current with advancements in in vivo research, attending conferences, workshops, and networking within the scientific community.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development across the in vivo research departments.

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. pharmacology, biology) or equivalent extensive industry experience.
• Extensive experience in in vivo research, with a proven track record of successful management and delivery to a portfolio of clients and/or projects within pharma or a CRO environment.
• Strong leadership skills with previous experience developing and leading high-performing scientific departments in a multidisciplinary, multinational, matrix environment.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and ethical considerations related to in vivo research.
• A collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across functional areas.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to the overall research and development strategy of the organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to understand market dynamics, competitive landscape and business drivers.

Benefits

This is a permanent position and offering an excellent training and benefits package, including a highly competitive salary which is reviewed annually, a bonus scheme, a well-regarded pension scheme, and private medical insurance. All our benefits are tailored to enhancing your experience at Sygnature as it is important to us that you share in our success.

We also recognise that the environment you work in is a priority, so we have built a collaborative and supportive culture with plenty of opportunities to grow and succeed, tailored to individual and business needs. This includes an excellent set of bespoke training and development courses to accelerate both your personal and career growth.