Senior Director, Head of DMPK, Drug Discovery Services

Job Introduction Head of DMPK, Drug Discovery

Location:

Hoddesdon, UK Company:
Pharmaron About the Role Pharmaron is seeking an exceptional Head of DMPK, Drug Discovery to lead and evolve our DMPK capability within the Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group.

The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding through to IND filing.
Working closely with our partners we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and with an AI enabled accelerated Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycles support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the forefront of multi-modality drug discovery, where you will shape strategy, drive scientific excellence, and deliver client programmes from target identification through to IND. Working across a global, AI-enabled platform, you’ll help accelerate innovative medicines towards the clinic.

The Opportunity You will:

Define and deliver the DMPK vision and strategy aligned to Pharmaron’s global drug discovery ambitions

Provide expert DMPK, ADME and PK/PD leadership across a diverse portfolio of client programmes

Lead and grow a high-performing team of DMPK scientists, ensuring capability across small molecules and other modalities (e.g. degraders, ADCs, peptides)
Play a critical role in integrated projects, driving decision-making and delivering clear milestones from hit finding to INDRepresent Pharmaron externally, building strong client partnerships and scientific reputation

Contribute to the adoption of AI and computational tools to enhance Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycles

Develop new scientific capabilities and commercial offerings, strengthening Pharmaron’s position as a leading CRO partner

Key Responsibilities Lead DMPK strategy across integrated drug discovery projects

Manage team performance, resourcing and hiring to support growth

Deliver scientific leadership on client programmes with a focus on quality, speed and probability of success

Drive cross-functional collaboration across modelling, in vitro ADME, in vivo PK, pharmacology, formulation development, clinical teams

Contribute to proposal development and business growth

Act as a senior voice within global Pharmaron DMPK leadership

About You Qualifications & Experience

PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
15+ years’ experience in a DMPK leadership role within drug discovery

Proven track record of progressing compounds through preclinical milestones

Experience of working across multiple modalities  beyond traditional small molecules for example degraders, peptides, ADCs, antibodies

Strong leadership experience in matrixed, multi-disciplinary environments

Knowledge & Skills Deep expertise in DMPK, PK/PD and translational science

Track record of implementing drug discovery strategy and new technologies Familiarity and have a passion for  computational/AI approaches in drug discovery

Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing capability

Leadership Attributes Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness

Clear, confident decision-maker with high scientific credibility and strong publication record

Collaborative and influential across global teams

Enthusiastic about innovation, talent development and scientific excellence

Why Join Pharmaron?

Be part of a global, industry leading  integrated drug discovery organisation with ability to shape…