Senior director- in vivo pharmacology lead

We are seeking an experienced and strategic In Vivo Pharmacology Lead to manage our animal facility in Munich and lead in vivo pharmacology team (mainly oncology) to deliver. The ideal candidate should have strong background in pharmacology and disease biology, deep understanding in German animal welfare regulations, and a proven track record in managing scientific teams and ensuring project delivery.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Facility Setup/Management and Animal Welfare Excellence

• Lead the design, setup, and commissioning of a state-of-the-art small animal (rodent) facility in Munich, ensuring full compliance with German animal welfare regulations (TierSchG, TierSchVersV) and FELASA guidelines.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and regulatory authorities to define facility specifications optimized for rodent housing, including IVC systems, HVAC, biosecurity measures, and workflow optimization
• Establish comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of animal care, husbandry, and facility maintenance
• Build and manage the Animal Care team, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, health monitoring, and adherence to the 3Rs principles.
• Establish robust biosecurity measures and environmental control systems to support preclinical oncology studies.

2. Project Execution, Team Management and Scientific Leadership

• Act as the Scientific Team Leader for the study execution team, overseeing the delivery of preclinical studies from design to report.
• Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of scientists and technicians specialized in different in vivo oncology models.
• Develop and optimize SOPs for experimental procedures, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and timely project delivery.
• Collaborate closely with global scientific teams and clients to align operational capabilities with business goals.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational efficiency and scientific excellence, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.

Job Requirements:

Experience / Education:

• PhD or MD in Pharmacology, Biology, Medicine, Life Sciences, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in in vivo pharmacology or laboratory animal science, with at least 3 years in senior leadership roles.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in German is a plus for regulatory interactions and local team management
• Extensive hands-on experience in establishing, operating, and managing rodent facilities in pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO environment
• Deep scientific expertise in drug discovery and preclinical development, with hands-on experience in various animal models.
• Strong track record in recruiting, developing, and leading scientific teams to achieve business targets.

Knowledge / Skills / Others:

• Comprehensive understanding of German animal welfare laws and international accreditation standards like AAALAC.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and mentor a diverse scientific team.
• Strong project management skills with a focus on operational efficiency and quality control.
• Excellent communication skills, able to bridge the gap between scientific complexity and business objectives.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to build processes and infrastructure from the ground up.
• Willingness to travel within Europe and occasionally to other WuXi AppTec sites for collaboration and training.