Associate Director

We are seeking to create a new role of
**Associate Director - Group Leader Discovery Biomarkers.** The role will be responsible in expanding our current discovery biomarker offering from early target validation studies up to preclinical translational models. Within this role we are looking for a talented individual who has broad experiences with appreciation of bioinformatics, panomics and latest technologies, for example RNAseq, Nanostring, proteomics. This role will help develop Sygnature along the journey of Biomarkers and help leverage the work already underway. It will initially focus on the Oncology/Immuno-Oncology but seek to find ways to develop this further.

This role plays a pivotal role in driving Sygnature’s thinking and strategy around Biomarkers, leveraging the latest thinking in the field and working closely alongside our Operational departments to deliver this to clients in an integrated approach.

**Primary responsibilities**:

- Will perform a review of current practice and offering within Sygnature and working with Strategic Alliance, Therapeutic Leads and Business Development to deliver an in-depth development of market trends and customer requirements to help provide a biomarkers gap analysis.
- Build an Oncology Biomarker strategy with buy in from the Board and key departments.
- Be responsible for building necessary budgets and CAPEX plans to help ensure this strategy is executed and capabilities built that will enhance Sygnature’s reputation in the market.
- Will work with our Marketing team on developing and delivering an effective communication, marketing and PR plan that puts Sygnature at the forefront with clients in this area. Will play a pivotal role in showcasing the company at relevant conferences, with customers and via social and trade channels.
- Will work with departmental heads to ensure that future ready skills and capabilities are anticipated and created to meet the strategy.
- Continually assess the market to ensure that Sygnature remains contemporary and evolves it position and offering in Biomarkers.

**Key requirements**:

- Significant relevant industrial experience
- Significant experience across small molecule drug discovery and track record in building new capabilities and thought leadership.
- Ability to work with senior colleagues across in vitro biology, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, informatics, etc with strong interpersonal and influencing skills to persuade departments in a matrix structure.
- Builds strong relationships and networks externally with various stakeholders. Demonstrates high levels of proactive initiation and maintains an effective consultative partnership with key individuals.
- Ideally experienced working within a CRO environment. Experience of building capability with Nanostring and/or RNAseq is highly desirable.
- Track record of both scientific and management.
- Track record of growing scientific teams and providing clear vision and strategy that creates followership.
- Entrepreneurial drive and spirit who can manage in high levels of ambiguity in a growth environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and be able to see work through from start to finish but the ability to balance “getting things done” with a balance of strategic thinking and keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

In return you will receive 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 scientific and personal career growth.

Since 2011, 34 compounds discovered by Sygnature for customers have entered pre-clinical development. So far, 17 of these have progressed to clinical trials (Phases I, II and III). In 2017, Sygnature Discovery received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, in 2020 the Medilink Outstanding Achievement Award, and in 2021 the Bionow Company of the Year Award.

1) Your CV

2) A covering letter that briefly outlines your suitability for the role and your current notice period (if applicable)

3) Confirmation of your status of eligibility to work in the UK (we can consider sponsoring potential employees with relevant levels of qualifications and experience under a Skilled Worker Visa).