Vice President / Senior Director, Research & Development

The Vice President / Senior Director of Research & Development (R&D) will lead the strategic direction, development, and execution of the organization’s formulation and product development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the R&D strategy aligned with business growth, pipeline development, and market opportunities
• Build and lead a high-performing R&D organization, including formulation scientists, analytical teams, and technical support staff
• Establish short- and long-term product development roadmaps across multiple therapeutic and dosage form platforms
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and innovation initiatives

Formulation & Product Development

• Lead the development of complex formulations across:
  • Liquid (oral and topical)
  • Gummies and novel delivery systems
• Apply deep pharmaceutical formulation expertise to ensure stability, bioavailability, scalability, and patient usability
• Drive innovation in multi-API and differentiated formulations
• Lead the design, build-out, and operationalization of R&D laboratory capabilities from the ground up
• Establish equipment selection, workflows, and best practices for formulation and analytical development
• Implement systems and processes to support efficient, compliant, and scalable R&D operations

Pharmaceutical Development & Scale-Up

• Ensure all formulations are developed with a clear path to scale, manufacturing feasibility, and commercial viability
• Collaborate with Operations and Manufacturing teams on tech transfer, process optimization, and scale-up activities
• Apply industry-standard development principles (QbD, DoE, etc.) to formulation and process development

Regulatory & Compliance Alignment

• Ensure R&D activities align with applicable regulatory expectations, including FDA guidance and relevant USP standards
• Support regulatory strategy, documentation, and responses as needed
• Maintain high standards of scientific rigor, documentation, and data integrity
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a multidisciplinary R&D team
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and scientific excellence
• Establish performance metrics and development plans for team members

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Commercial, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams to align product development with market needs and compliance requirements
• Provide technical leadership in evaluating new product opportunities, partnerships, and technologies

Qualifications

Experience

• 20+ years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, with significant experience in formulation development across multiple dosage forms
• Demonstrated experience formulating within the pharmaceutical industry (not solely 503A compounding)
• Proven track record of building or significantly scaling an R&D function or laboratory from the ground up
• Extensive experience leading and managing R&D teams, including scientists and technical staff
• Experience with tech transfer, scale-up, and commercialization of formulations

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in formulation science across liquids, solid oral dosage forms, capsules, troches, gummies, and semi-solids
• Strong understanding of bioavailability, stability, excipient compatibility, and delivery systems
• Experience with complex and multi-API formulations preferred
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical development best practices (e.g., QbD, DoE)

Leadership & Skills

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills

Education

• PhD, MS, or equivalent advanced degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field preferred

Key Attributes

• Builder mindset with hands‑on leadership capability
• Innovative and forward-thinking approach to formulation development
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to translate science into business value
• High level of accountability, ownership, and execution

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