Director​/Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry

Location: Waltham, MA (hybrid; minimum 3 days/week in office)

The Director / Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry is a scientific and people leader responsible for advancing small-molecule drug discovery programs from target assessment and hit identification through lead optimization and preclinical candidate nomination. Reporting to the Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry, this role will lead project chemistry strategy, manage and develop medicinal chemistry scientists, and partner closely with Hengrui's global Early Discovery organization.

The successful candidate will combine deep expertise in organic synthesis and rational drug design with strong cross-functional leadership and a consistent record of delivering high-quality drug candidates.

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy and execution for multiple discovery programs, translating target product profiles and biological hypotheses into differentiated molecule-design strategies.
• Guide programs from hit identification through lead optimization and preclinical candidate nomination, establishing clear scientific plans, decision criteria, timelines, and risk-mitigation strategies.
• Apply structure-based drug design, SAR analysis, physicochemical property optimization, and data driven design approaches to improve potency, selectivity, safety, pharmacokinetics, and develop ability.
• Provide rigorous scientific review of project data and make timely recommendations on compound progression, project direction, and resource priorities.
• Identify and apply emerging medicinal chemistry technologies, computational tools, and innovative discovery approaches that can improve program quality and speed.

• Serve as the chemistry lead on cross-functional project teams and collaborate closely with Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, Computational Chemistry, CMC, and other partner functions.
• Partner effectively with China-based discovery teams and external research organizations to align scientific plans, coordinate execution, troubleshoot complex issues, and deliver program milestones.
• Communicate program strategy, results, risks, and recommendations clearly to the Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry, project teams, governance committees, and senior R&D leaders.
• Contribute chemistry-centered insights to portfolio reviews, new target assessments, external innovation evaluations, and broader discovery planning.

• Recruit, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing medicinal chemistry team, setting clear expectations and fostering scientific rigor, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Provide technical mentorship in synthetic chemistry, molecular design, SAR interpretation, problem solving, and scientific communication.
• Manage internal and external chemistry resources, including CRO relationships, project budgets, work plans, and performance against agreed deliverables.
• Promote high standards for laboratory safety, research quality, data integrity, intellectual property protection, and compliance with company policies and applicable requirements.

• Education: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Industry
  
  Experience:
  
  10+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry R&D experience, including at least 5 years leading scientists and/or project teams in a matrix environment. Broad experience in multiple therapeutic areas, as well as beyond traditional small-molecule modulators (e.g. oral cyclic peptides) are preferred.
• Drug Discovery Track Record: Demonstrated success leading medicinal chemistry programs through lead optimization and preclinical candidate nomination; experience supporting IND-enabling development is strongly preferred.
• Leadership
  
  Experience:
  
  Proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop medicinal chemists and to influence multidisciplinary teams without relying solely on direct authority.

• Scientific Expertise: Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, rational drug design, route design, and SAR analysis, with sound judgment in balancing potency, selectivity, DMPK, safety, and develop ability.
• Drug Discovery Perspective: Strong understanding of the integrated drug discovery process and the contributions of biology, pharmacology, DMPK, toxicology, computational chemistry, CMC, and…