Overview As Associate Director of Innovation Lab, you will lead the development of transformative eye care pipeline programs and drive internal innovation. You will partner with executive and cross-functional teams to advance programs through early development milestones and manage collaborations with external partners and key opinion leaders. You will design program plans with PoC milestones, resource needs, and efficient paths from ideation to clinical development. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a nimble biotech environment, offering impact across discovery and translation. Join us to help shape next-generation eye care solutions at a mission-driven company.
Compensation / Benefits- hybrid work environment
- onsite Irvine office amenities (gym, pool, snacks, meals)
- base pay with bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits
- generous paid time off including vacation, holidays, and personal days
Responsibilities- Partner with executive and cross-functional leadership to drive decision making and portfolio management
- Define target product profiles including mechanism of action, PK/PD, regulatory and commercial considerations
- Create project plans with timelines, budgets, and decision frameworks for rapid progress
- Manage internal lab growth for high-impact execution
- Build and manage external scientific, clinical, and business relationships, including contracting and logistics
- Partner on intellectual property strategy, including diligence and filings
- Foster a culture of innovation, translation, and entrepreneurship within the company
Key requirements- 8+ years in biotech or pharmaceutical innovation (PhD/MD) or 10+ years (Master's) or 12+ years (Bachelor's)
- Demonstrated experience leading early drug innovation, discovery and development teams
- Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels
- Eye care experience is a plus
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building
- Strategic thinking with practical execution
- Decision-making and accountability
- PK/PD understanding
- Target product profile development
- Clinical, regulatory, and commercial success considerations
