Director/Senior Director, Compound Management

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director/Senior Director, Compound Management to lead our Compound Management group. This individual will be a key leader in establishing, optimizing, and maintaining a robust compound and sample management platform, critical for accelerating our drug discovery efforts. The successful candidate will lead a team focused on the management of diverse small molecules and biologics, ensuring seamless support for internal and external research activities.

Responsibilities:

• Strategically govern all facets of compound and sample management, designing and building a comprehensive inventory system to serve as the critical interface for logistics and communications among R&D project teams and external partners, ensuring seamless workflow

• Establish and lead highly effective cross-functional partnerships with Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics to proactively align inventory system architecture and Compound Management capabilities with evolving research portfolio needs

• Build, manage, and mentor a team of compound management scientists and technicians to operate and scale the inventory system, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment

• Define the operational strategy and quality standards for compound management, overseeing critical functions including precise inventory, storage, and fulfillment to maintain research momentum.

• Drive the strategic design, deployment, and optimization of high-throughput automated processes and liquid handling systems to maximize efficiency and accelerate the drug discovery pipeline

• Develop and oversee a logistics framework for all domestic and international sample transfers, guaranteeing compliance, secure handling, and timely delivery across the enterprise and to external partners

• Provide strategic expertise and consultation to project teams, actively guiding the design and execution of diverse screening and lead optimization campaigns (e.g., Fragment, DEL, HTS, Cell-based, and Phenotypic screens)

• Spearhead the long-term vision and implementation of advanced automation and data management technologies (including liquid handling, acoustic dispensers, and LIMS) to radically streamline workflows and accelerate drug discovery timelines

• Institute a governance model to ensure the utmost accuracy and integrity of all compound and sample data, leveraging robust quality control and comprehensive data management systems

• Proactively define and execute resolution strategies for systemic issues and complex discrepancies across all elements of compound and sample lifecycle management, from registration to logistics

• Establish and enforce a comprehensive compliance framework for all compound management operations, aligning with internal SOPs and external safety protocols

Position Requirements:

• BS with 15+ industrial years or MS with 12+ industrial experience in a chemical or biological discipline, with an excellent understanding of underlying processes

• Extensive, proven experience founding or significantly building a compound management capability within a modern drug discovery organization

• Experience with compound management software (e.g., Titian/Cenevo), laboratory automation (e.g., Hamiltons, Tecan), and data management systems (e.g., CDD Vault) is crucial

• Experience with vendor management

• Demonstrated ability to think critically, plan strategically, and make informed decisions to support long-term research objectives

• Excellent organizational skills in management of data, and strong record-keeping

• Proven analytical abilities with high attention-to-detail

• Strong written and verbal communications skills and interpersonal skills; advanced ability to communicate effectively and concisely with internal teams, external collaborators and vendors

• Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of customer support and professionalism

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional local and global teams in a high-paced environment

• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize work from multiple projects, and recognize, articulate, and prioritize key issues based on an understanding of objectives

• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $244,000 - $313,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.