Executive Director, Head of Late-Stage Biology and Preclinical Development Lead

About Generate:Biomedicines

Generate:Biomedicines is a new kind of therapeutics company – existing at the intersection of machine learning, biological engineering, and medicine – pioneering Generative Biology™ to create breakthrough medicines where novel therapeutics are computationally generated, instead of being discovered. The Company has built a machine learning-powered biomedicines platform with the potential to generate new drugs across a wide range of biologic modalities. This platform represents a potentially fundamental shift in what is possible in the field of biotherapeutic development.

We pursue this audacious vision because we believe in the unique and revolutionary power of generative biology to radically transform the lives of billions, with an outsized opportunity for patients in need. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for impact to join us!

Generate:Biomedicines was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering and has received nearly $700 million in funding, providing the resources to rapidly scale the organization. The Company has offices in Somerville and Andover, Massachusetts with 300+ employees.

The Role:

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Executive Director to head our Late-Stage Biology group and drive Preclinical Development at Generate. This leader will oversee a diverse and innovative team (ranging from Research Associate to Director) supporting drug discovery and development programs across multiple therapeutic areas, from Lead Candidate Selection through IND. In this role, you will work cross-functionally to guide programs from late discovery through preclinical development, enabling program success and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Positioned at the intersection of preclinical and clinical development, you will advance promising molecules—engineered by our AI/ML-driven protein generation platform—through the Development Candidate stage gate, lead IND-enabling activities, and partner with the clinical organization to deliver highly differentiated therapeutics into the clinic. The ideal candidate is both a proven scientific leader and a bold innovator—driven to transform patient outcomes through disruptive science and discovery, enabled by our transformative AI/ML protein generation platform. 

Here's how you will contribute:

• Provide strategic leadership to realize Generate’s vision of an end-to-end, AI-driven drug discovery and development engine. You will push the limits of AI-enabled Biotherapeutic Drug Discovery and Development 

• Translate AI/ML-generated molecules into differentiated clinical candidates across multiple therapeutic areas. 

• Lead the Late-Stage Biology group, defining its vision and strategy within the Drug Design & Preclinical Development organization. 

• Partner with the Clinical Drug Development organization to transition fully characterized candidates into first-in-human studies. 

• Oversee all Preclinical Development activities, in collaboration with Clinical Drug Development, including biomarker development, mechanistic studies, IND-enabling datasets, regulatory documentation, and toxicology studies. 

• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Protein Sciences, Early-stage Biology, Therapeutic Assay Sciences, and Clinical Development. 

• Foster a high-performance, innovative, and collaborative culture. 

• Present strategies and findings to executive leadership and represent Generate at scientific conferences and in external collaborations. 

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, or B.Sc./M.Sc. with Ph.D.-equivalent professional experience. 

• 10+ years of biotech/pharma experience in drug discovery and preclinical development, with 7+ years of leadership experience managing scientific teams and projects. 

• Proven track record of advancing programs through preclinical development to IND and beyond. 

• Broad expertise in disease biology across two or more therapeutic areas, including oncology. 

• A passion for emerging technologies and a demonstrated tech-centric appr