Early Compound Development Team Leader

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Ambler, PA

About The Position

The Early Compound Development Team (ECDT) Leader leads a cross‑functional team responsible for advancing the strategic development of preclinical assets, with a clear line of sight to the clinic. The Early CDTL is accountable for shaping and coordinating the end‑to‑end early development strategy, from late discovery candidate selection for biologics and lead optimization for small molecules through IND‑enabling activities and into early clinical planning. The Early CDTL operates in alignment with company, Therapeutic Area (TA) strategies, ensuring that scientific, translational, clinical, regulatory, and commercial considerations are integrated early to address unmet medical needs and enable high‑quality portfolio decisions. In addition to asset‑focused leadership, the Early CDTL may contribute to portfolio‑level strategic discussions, including the evaluation of new exploratory areas, novel targets, and potential new programs, and may serve as a project leader at the portfolio or pre‑program stage.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in life sciences, chemistry, or medicine preferred, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in drug discovery.
Strong background in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and age‑related pathogenic processes in the metabolic space, with demonstrated understanding of disease biology, mechanisms of action, and translational pathways.
Demonstrated experience in early drug development or late discovery environments, with the ability to lead cross‑functional scientific and strategic discussions and a track record of delivering results, ideally in a project leadership role.
Operational and project management experience to coordinate complex, matrixed teams and contribute to planning and budget discussions.
Deep understanding of disease biology and emerging therapeutic development paradigms relevant to early development.
Matrix leadership: ability to lead teams through governance forums and balance project‑level needs with portfolio priorities.
Strategic agility: ability to translate scientific hypotheses into actionable development strategies while managing ambiguity and incomplete data.
Strong communication skills to influence, align, and build consensus across cross‑functional teams and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to deliver results in complex, highly collaborative environments.
Track record of delivering results for complex projects, extensive collaborative partnership and implementing new ideas in response/anticipation to new challenges.
15% Travel Domestic and International.

Nice To Haves

Clinical Evaluations
Clinical Trial Protocols
Consulting
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Design Mindset
Drug Discovery Development
Entrepreneurship
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Lateral Leadership
Medicines and Device Development and Regulation
Program Management
Regulatory Affairs Management
Relationship Building
Safety-Oriented
Scientific Research
Strategic Change
Study Management

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of a robust, cross‑functional early development strategy for designated preclinical compound(s), ensuring scientific rigor and clear progression toward clinical development.
Coordinate late discovery and early development activities, including candidate selection for biologics and lead optimization for small molecules, with appropriate integration of biology, chemistry, biologics, safety, clinical, regulatory, and commercial perspectives.
Provide strategic leadership to the Early Compound Development Team, enabling effective scientific debate, strategy development, and decision‑making across functions.
Ensure that preclinical development decisions are made with a forward‑looking clinical perspective, maintaining a clear line of sight to first‑in‑human studies and early clinical value drivers.
Contribute to portfolio‑level evaluations, including assessment of new exploratory areas, novel targets, and potential new programs, and support prioritization and investment decisions.
May serve as project leader at the portfolio or pre‑program stage, helping to define scientific hypotheses, translational strategy, development pathways, and initial value propositions.
Ensure effective planning to secure resources required for early development activities, including development planning, prioritization, and budget‑related discussions, while proactively identifying and addressing key scientific and operational risks.
Champion assigned projects within the organization while maintaining a portfolio and enterprise mindset.
Facilitate alignment across stakeholders and governance forums to support efficient progression from preclinical development into clinical development.

Benefits

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits