Executive Director, Head of Toxicology

<p><strong>Description of Role</strong></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Centessa Pharmaceuticals is seeking&nbsp;an&nbsp;Executive Director/Head of Toxicology&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;scientific and strategic leadership for nonclinical safety across discovery and development programs, with an emphasis on&nbsp;small</span>‑<span data-contrast="auto">molecule&nbsp;therapeutics. This role leads toxicology and safety pharmacology strategy to support target&nbsp;selection, lead optimization,&nbsp;IND</span>‑<span data-contrast="auto">enabling&nbsp;activities, and clinical advancement. Reporting&nbsp;to our&nbsp;SVP, Nonclinical &amp; Translational Development</span><strong><em><span data-contrast="auto">,&nbsp;</span></em></strong><span data-contrast="auto">the&nbsp;Head of Toxicology partners closely with&nbsp;cross</span>‑<span data-contrast="auto">functional&nbsp;teams and&nbsp;represents&nbsp;nonclinical safety in regulatory interactions while building a strong,&nbsp;high</span>‑<span data-contrast="auto">performing&nbsp;toxicology organization.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead and mentor a team of toxicologists and technical/operational staff, fostering scientific excellence and professional growth</li> <li>Define and execute nonclinical safety strategies across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages</li> <li>Provide expert toxicology and safety pharmacology input to cross‑functional development teams</li> <li>Lead nonclinical sub‑teams as an integrated development head, providing cross‑functional oversight across Toxicology, DMPK, Bioanalytical Sciences, and Clinical Pharmacology to ensure aligned, program‑ready nonclinical strategies</li> <li>Serve as the primary nonclinical representative on Program Development Teams (PDTs) and at internal governance and external forums, effectively championing program strategy, presenting to regulatory authorities, and holding scientific ground with senior leadership, partners, CROs, and health authorities</li> <li>Design, oversee, and interpret GLP, non‑GLP, investigative, and in vitro toxicology studies</li> <li>Develop safety strategies for new targets, lead optimization programs, and platform technologies</li> <li>Oversee toxicology and safety pharmacology studies conducted internally and at CROs</li> <li>Ensure high scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery of nonclinical study outputs</li> <li>Author and critically review toxicology sections of regulat