Senior Vice President Research

Our mission is to develop therapies that empower the immune system to combat neurodegeneration and our team is focused on developing treatments for some of the most challenging diseases facing our society. We are supported in this mission by experienced and accomplished scientists and clinicians, a novel portfolio of programs, leading healthcare investors, and pharma company partners, who share in our commitment to bettering the lives of patients and realizing a world where we make brain disorders history

The SVP, Researchwill drive the strategy and execution of Alector’sdiscovery and pre-clinical development efforts and build and inspire a world class immuno-neurology research and translational sciences organization. As a member of the executive management team, the SVP will be accountable for the delivery of a continuous, deep, and highquality pipeline of innovative, breakthrough immuno-neurology assets from early discovery through IND.   

The SVP’s top priorities in the first year are to:

• Broadening the pipeline with novel targets and execution of current drug discovery programs
• Enabling further development of existing and new technologies
• Development and mentoring of the Research team
• Ensuring effective translation of research programs into the clinic in collaboration with the clinical team

Job Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with Head of R&D and CEO, develop the short mid and long term Research strategy
• Drive the execution of all drug discovery and translational science efforts with an eye for detail while maintaining a bigger picture.
• Build a deep pipeline of IND candidates that continuously feeds the early clinical and eventually late stage pipeline, either through internal discovery or the licensing and acquisition of novel candidates.
• Ensure that drug development candidates are fully supported with high quality preclinical packages and translational research ensures that clinical candidates are directed to high-responder or biomarker validated populations.
• Bring visionary scientific leadership to Alector to enable the company to continue to innovate in neurodegeneration and in other immunologically mediated neurological diseases.
• Effectively communicate scientific strategy and research programs to scientific and non-scientific audiences outside the company, including at scientific conferences, KOLs and key academic researchers and physicians, with corporate and academic partners, and with Wall Street.
• Develop Alector’s research and non-clinical organizations to be a first in class organization

Education/Qualifications:

• Experience

• Ph.D. with post-doc in Biology-related field, with 12+ years of progressive biotech/pharma experience

• Neuroscience or immunology industry experience required

• Drug discovery experience:

• Strong biology and drug discovery experience, with a track record of successfully initiating and moving projects from target discovery through lead identification, lead optimization and into early development.

• Leadership skills and mindset:

• The confidence, maturity, enterprise mindset, and interpersonal skills to build strong cross-functional relationships and proactively advise and influence on key scientific decisions with internal stakeholders (CEO, Executive Committee, Board)

• Strategic driver who can capitalize on ideas, translates them into ambitious goals, and energizes team to meet them.

• Is an operator at heart: enjoys toggling between the big picture and the program details to ensure program execution.

• Projects confidence and positivity; motivates others with a roll-up-your-sleeves, "can-do" attitude

• Strong leader who enjoys developing and leading teams to a high level of performance, within an evolving and fast-paced environment.

• Thrives in an entrepreneurial culture that stresses collaboration, openness, scientific, clinical, and operational excellence.

• An unwavering commitment to ethics and high integrity

• Clear, transparent communicator with strong leadership, presentation and influencer skills.

• Creative thinker who is innovative and open to new ideas and ways of working