Senior Director of Toxicology, Small Molecules

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Senior Director of Toxicology opportunity with one of our clients, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company in the Los Angeles, CA area seeking to redefine pain management. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology industry.

Workplace:

Hybrid in the Los Angeles, CA or San Francisco, CA areas

Position Title:

Senior Director of Toxicology Salary range: 280,000-350,000/year About the Company Join one of the leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical innovators dedicated to redefining pain management through next-generation, non-opioid therapies. With a culture grounded in scientific rigor, patient-centered innovation, and a track record of executive success, we're seeking talented individuals to transform care for patients living with pain-related conditions. Our team operates at the forefront of breakthrough science in an environment that values creativity, collaboration, and the advancement of meaningful therapeutics. Position Overview The Senior Director, Toxicology will play a pivotal leadership role, setting the vision and driving execution for all aspects of nonclinical safety assessment across a robust research and development pipeline. This influential position will shape nonclinical strategies spanning from early discovery through to IND, clinical development, and NDA stages for pioneering small molecule programs. As the primary subject matter expert in nonclinical safety, you will be integral to cross-functional project teams, regulatory strategy development, and organizational growth—impacting decisions that ultimately advance innovative treatments to patients in need. Key Responsibilities Scientific & Strategic Leadership Establish and lead the nonclinical safety and toxicology framework, supporting compound progression from earliest discovery through late-stage clinical milestones. Serve as a critical advisor and the principal nonclinical safety expert on multidisciplinary teams, integrating data-driven risk-benefit analyses and guiding portfolio strategy. Define target safety profiles in partnership with discovery, DMPK, clinical pharmacology, and development colleagues, effectively influencing key candidate selection and development decisions. Study Design & Execution Design, oversee, and interpret complex toxicology and safety pharmacology studies, ensuring scientific rigor, adherence to regulatory timelines, and strategic alignment. Provide scientific oversight for external CROs and consultants—reviewing protocols, assessing study integrity, and ensuring robust data generation and reporting. Champion optimal staging and resource planning of nonclinical safety programs from concept through IND-enabling and registrational studies. Regulatory Excellence & Compliance Collaborate closely with Regulatory Affairs to drive authorship, review, and approval of nonclinical components of INDs, investigator brochures, briefing documents, and regulatory correspondence. Represent nonclinical safety in regulatory agency interactions, including high-stakes meetings spanning development (pre-IND, end-of-Phase 2, pre-NDA). Uphold compliance to GLP, ICH, and international regulatory standards—embedding a culture of quality in all nonclinical operations. Organizational & People Leadership Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing nonclinical safety team, modeling scientific excellence and promoting a collaborative, innovative culture. Contribute to the evolution and refinement of organizational nonclinical safety standards, systems, and best practices, supporting growth and scalability. Act as a trusted thought partner to senior R&D leadership—shaping both pipeline and organizational strategy. Qualifications Advanced degree (PhD, DVM, or equivalent) in Toxicology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline. Minimum 15 years' industry experience in nonclinical safety/toxicology within innovative biotechnology or pharmaceutical organizations. Extensive leadership of nonclinical safety programs supporting small molecule therapies, spanning IND-enabling through registration stages. Strong record of regulatory authorship and agency engagement, with experience supporting early to late-stage programs. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and exerting influence on development and portfolio strategies. Expertise in pain or neuroscience therapeutic areas is highly desirable. Profound scientific expertise in nonclinical safety and toxicology. Visionary leadership with strategic and executional acuity. Compelling and precise scientific communication. Collaborative mind-set and strong people development skills. Agility and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced biotech environment. #P1 As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Why Kelly® Science & Clinical? Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals-it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed. About Kelly Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year. Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.