VP of In Vivo
Nottingham or Alderley Park
Management – Management /
Full time /
Hybrid
Background
Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada with its headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, which includes 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech and NFP organisations.
Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 40 novel pre-clinical and 22 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 170 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, fibrotic diseases and more. To find out more, please visit www.sygnaturediscovery.com.
Job purpose
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the VP of In Vivo plays a crucial leadership role in overseeing and managing the in vivo research activities across Sygnature Discovery. The role is responsible for key decision making, the delivery of scientific excellence, the overall strategic direction of the departments, and driving innovation for a global group of 65 scientists. This position requires a combination of scientific expertise, leadership, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of in vivo research methodologies in different geographies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Management:
- Provide strong leadership to the in vivo research departments, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Working with the senior leadership team to identify areas for scientific focus and development and commercial opportunities.
- Strategic oversight of recruitment, training and mentoring of employees within the departments to support the development of high-performing teams.
- Set clear scientific and commercial goals and performance expectations for the departments’, ensuring accountability is taken at all levels.
Research Strategy and Planning:
- Develop and implement a 3-5-year strategic business plan for Sygnature Discovery’s global in vivo pharmacology offering in alignment with overall organisational objectives.
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate in vivo studies into broader research and development strategies.
- Through leadership and implementation of the strategic plan, drive efficiencies and implementation of new models to ensure we are market leading and able to offer a differentiated service to our customer base.
- Working with the Head of Operations, manage and plan space requirements and contract negotiations in line with medium- and longer-term strategic plan.
Business Growth:
- Identify opportunities for new business, partnerships, and market penetration.
- Establish and nurture relationships with clients, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders alongside the department heads.
- Work closely with the Commercial team and department heads to identify and pursue new business opportunities, participating in client meetings, proposals, and negotiating contracts as applicable.
Experimental Design and Execution:
- Stay abreast of emerging technologies and methodologies in in vivo research, incorporating innovative approaches into study designs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate in vivo data into a comprehensive understanding of drug discovery projects.
Compliance and Ethics:
- Ensure that all in vivo research activities comply with or exceed ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies across multinational sites.
- Drive animal welfare standards and best practices across a multidisciplinary, multinational, environment.
Communication and Collaboration:
- Effectively communicate with internal stakeholders, including senior management, research and development teams, and external collaborators.
- Collaborate with external partners, academic institutions etc. to enhance in vivo research capabilities.
Professional Development:
- Stay current with advancements in in vivo research, attending conferences, workshops, and networking within the scientific community.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development across the in vivo research departments.
Person Specification
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. pharmacology, biology) or equivalent extensive industry experience.
- Extensive experience in in vivo research, with a proven track record of successful management and delivery to a portfolio of clients and/or projects within pharma or a CRO environment.
- Strong leadership skills with previous experience developing and leading high-performing scientific departments in a multidisciplinary, multinational, matrix environment.
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and ethical considerations related to in vivo research.
- A collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across functional areas.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to the overall research and development strategy of the organisation.
- Strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to understand market dynamics, competitive landscape and business drivers.
Benefits
Here at Sygnature Discovery, we take pride in offering an excellent training and benefits package. As a valued employee, you will be entitled to:
- 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays, and buy/sell scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders
- Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
- Sygnature Group Pension Scheme
- 1 paid volunteer day per year
- A host of flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle
Why Sygnature Discovery
At Sygnature Discovery, we embody excellence in everything we do. From pioneering research to ground-breaking discoveries, we set the standard for scientific innovation. But it's collaboration that truly defines us. Across continents and disciplines, we unite to solve complex challenges, driven by a shared passion for improving lives worldwide.
We understand the importance of creating a work environment that empowers you to thrive. That’s why we have fostered a culture of collaboration and support, providing pathways for both professional and personal development. This includes a diverse range of bespoke training and development designed to accelerate both your personal and career growth.
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion throughout our organisation. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, age, family or parental status, beliefs, nationalities and religions. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where all our colleagues feel empowered to bring their true selves to work.
If you’re interested in joining a company that places people at the heart of its business, please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing on an ongoing basis.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@sygnaturediscovery.com. Please do not submit your application to this email address.
For more information on life at Sygnature Discovery, visit www.sygnaturediscovery.com/careers
