Head, Oncology Drug Discovery – San Diego
About this opportunity
#LI-OnsiteLocation: San Diego, United StatesRelocation Support: YesLead the next wave of oncology innovation and help redefine what’s possible for patients with cancer. As Head of Oncology Drug Discovery in San Diego, you will shape and deliver a leading scientific strategy that drives breakthrough therapies from early target discovery through development candidate nomination and Investigational New Drug enabling studies. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep scientific expertise with enterprise-level leadership, guiding multidisciplinary teams, influencing portfolio direction, and building a high-performing organization that accelerates the delivery of transformative medicines. Your work will help position San Diego as a key engine of oncology innovation and development candidate delivery within Novartis Biomedical Research.
Key Responsibilities:Define and drive the scientific strategy for oncology drug discovery across the San Diego siteLead multidisciplinary teams advancing programs from target validation through development candidate nomination and Investigational New Drug enabling studiesOwn portfolio strategy, prioritization, and resourcing decisions to deliver impactful oncology innovationPartner with global and site leaders to align discovery programs with overall oncology portfolio strategyChampion novel therapeutic approaches, including advanced small-molecule modalities and emerging discovery platformsBuild and strengthen external partnerships to accelerate scientific innovation and program progressionEnsure delivery of high-quality preclinical data packages supporting clinical translation and development readinessMentor and develop scientific and project leaders while building a high-performing oncology research organizationRepresent San Diego as a strategic oncology hub, fostering collaboration across the Novartis global research networkDrive data-driven decision making at key milestones to maximize portfolio value and patient impactEssential Requirements:Doctoral degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a closely related scientific fieldMinimum fifteen years of experience in oncology research and end-to-end drug discoveryDeep expertise in cancer biology and translational science across discovery and preclinical developmentProven track record delivering development candidates and advancing programs to Investigational New Drug submission readinessDemonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex research programs across a matrix environmentStrong publication history as a senior or corresponding author in high-impact oncology journalsExtensive experience leading small-molecule oncology programs from discovery through development candidate selectionExceptional leadership and talent development capability with experience building high-performing scientific organizationsDesirable Requirements:Experience advancing oncology programs using biologic therapeutic approaches in addition to small-molecule discoveryDemonstrated expertise in targeted protein degradation, induced proximity, or closely related small-molecule discovery approachesNovartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The salary for this position is expected to range between $248,500.00 - 461,500.00 USD Annual per year.The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 383 comparable Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research roles across 47 biopharma companies.
Salary context
136 of 383 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function. This posting doesn't list a seniority level, so peers aren't narrowed by seniority either -- the range below may span more levels than usual.
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Seniority mix
297 of 383 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
53 of 383 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
Similar opportunities
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How we calculate "similar"
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Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.