VP, Head of Preclinical Development Employer Legend Biotech Location Somerset, New Jersey Salary $294483 - $386511 Start date Sep 20, 2026 View more categories View less categories Discipline Science/R D , Cell Biology , Immunology , Pharmacology , Toxicology Required Education Doctorate/PHD/MD Position Type Full time Apply now Save job Click to add the job to your shortlist You need to sign in or create an account to save a job. Send job Job Details Company Job Details Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), T-cell receptor (TCR-T), natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide. Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize

CARVYKTI

® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma. Legend Biotech is seeking a VP, Head of Preclinical Development as part of the Early Drug Development team based in Somerset, NJ . Role Overview Legend Biotech is a clinical-stage biotech company developing cell therapies for hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. We are seeking an exceptional scientist-leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development. This is a senior, externally visible leadership role accountable for the full preclinical development program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology for all pipeline compounds globally. The person will build and lead a high-performing, integrated team, set scientific standards for the organization, and serve as the internal authority and external face for preclinical science across regulatory, partnership, and publication contexts. Key Responsibilities Define and execute the preclinical development strategy across all pipeline program globally from candidate nomination through IND-enabling studies. Serve as the internal scientific authority on in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology — setting methodological standards, experimental design principles, and data interpretation frameworks. Lead preclinical science for novel modalities including lentiviral vector-based in vivo CAR-T, ex vivo cell therapies, and gene-modified immune cell platforms, with deep understanding of the unique preclinical characterization requirements of each Integrate preclinical datasets (PK, PD, safety, biodistribution etc) into coherent compound narratives that inform clinical development strategy, dose selection, and regulatory submissions. Contribute to portfolio decisions by providing rigorous preclinical risk assessments for new candidates, partnership assets, and lifecycle management opportunities. Own the preclinical component of IND applications, accountable for integrated pharmacology and toxicology summaries, study tabulations, and the Written Summary of nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology. Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Preclinical Development team comprising in vitro pharmacology scientists, in vivo pharmacology scientists, and toxicologists — both internal staff and embedded CRO personnel. Set a culture of scientific excellence, objectivity, and regulatory integrity — where data are interpreted accurately regardless of programme pressure and where safety signals are escalated promptly and without bias. Mentor and develop team members at all levels; create individual development plans, provide regular performance feedback, and support career progression. Requirements PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, cell biology, or a closely related discipline. Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in preclinical drug development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with direct accountability for IND-enabling programs. Deep expertise in at least two of the three core functions (in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology), with working knowledge of the third. Demonstrated experience designing, overseeing, and interpreting GLP toxicology studies (repeat-dose NHP or rodent, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity) in support of IND filing. Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development. Track record of successful IND submissions with clear accountability for the nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology sections. Experience managing CRO relationships for outsourced preclinical and GLP studies, including vendor qualification, protocol development, monitoring, and report review. Proven ability to lead, mentor, and build high-performing scientific teams in a fast-paced biotech environment. #Li-AS1 #Li-Hybrid The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay:

Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work. Pay Range (Base Pay): $294,483 - $386,511 USD Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech. Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E-Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I-9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates. EEO Statement It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances. Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company. For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice . Company Legend Biotech was founded as an early-stage cell therapy company in 2014. The company was the brainchild of visionary scientists who recognized that antibody-based therapeutics could potentially treat disease and possessed the backgrounds in immunology and gene editing to take the leap. For two years, Legend Biotech, then known as the "Legend Project," operated in a room the size of a freight elevator, with the goal of creating a cell therapy for multiple myeloma, a hematological cancer that often relapses and can become refractory. The team produced nanobodies for single-domain antibody drugs and ultimately extended the half-life of the nanobodies with proprietary technologies. In 2015, Legend's scientists focused on research for chimeric antigen-receptor T-cells (CAR-T) targeting the BCMA protein, making the biotech one of the first companies in the world to engineer CAR-T cells for the BCMA protein. In 2016, investigator-initiated trials began in China. In 2017, data from the trials were presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which led to a partnership with biopharmaceutical company Janssen Biotech, Inc. to co-develop the anti-BCMA CAR-T, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel). Applications seeking approval of cilta-cel for the treatment of patients with RRMM are currently under regulatory review by several health authorities around the world.

CARVYKTI

™ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2022 and received conditional marketing approval from the European Medicines Agency in May 2022. Today Legend Biotech is a global, commercial-stage company driven by a passion for patients. We continue to build our pipeline of cell therapy platforms, which includes CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-γδ T and non-gene-editing CAR technologies. Our goal is to bring hope and opportunity to patients and their families by continuing to explore unique technologies. Company info Location Somerset New Jersey United States Share this job Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Apply now Send job Apply now Save job Click to add the job to your shortlist You need to sign in or create an account to save a job. Get job alerts Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox. Create alert Similar jobs Senior Scientist - TSMS Indianapolis, Indiana Scientist, Protein Production and Characterization San Diego, California Senior/Principal Scientist - Peptide Technical Services & Manufacturing Science (TS/MS), API Indianapolis, Indiana