Senior Director, Cancer Immunology (San Francisco Bay Area)

SciPro is partnered with a well-funded, late-stage oncology biotech advancing a pipeline of targeted cancer therapies. They are looking for a seasoned leader with deep expertise in immunology or oncology to help shape strategy, drive portfolio execution, and collaborate cross-functionally as programs progress toward regulatory submission and commercialization.

They are focused on improving the outcomes in high unmet need for solid tumors such as lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, with the goal of delivering next-generation targeted therapies where existing treatments have limited durability. They are growing to keep up with the demand of their progressing clinical trials as they move towards the goal of approval and launch.

This role presents a unique opportunity to step into a strategic and scientific leadership position within Cancer Immunology, reporting into the Biology organization. The team is seeking a highly motivated, analytical thinker with a strong passion for scientific excellence and innovation, who can drive the discovery and advancement of novel immuno-oncology targets and modalities. This individual will lead a multidisciplinary team, define the scientific vision for Discovery Cancer Immunology, and oversee integration across both Discovery and Translational Cancer Immunology efforts.

Main Responsibilities:

• Discovery Program Leadership & Strategic Oversight: Lead Cancer Immunology discovery programs from project qualification through Development Candidate nomination. Drive the identification and validation of novel immuno-oncology targets, ensuring seamless progression of programs into Translational Cancer Immunology.
• Platform & Modality Innovation: Oversee the development and optimization of experimental platforms, including in vitro and in vivo models, phenotypic screening, and advanced assay toolkits. Champion the exploration and implementation of new therapeutic modalities, such as TCEs, ADCs, and bispecifics.
• Scientific Integration & Operational Excellence: Provide strategic oversight of scientific integration across Discovery and Translational Cancer Immunology, ensuring operational rigor, platform support, and alignment of resources. Leverage enabling functions and data-driven insights to enhance experimental design, reproducibility, and program execution. Promote the development and deployment of modern data systems and analytics to advance scientific and operational excellence, enabling the establishment of a digitally empowered Cancer Immunology team within the broader organization.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Research Leadership to support advancement of programs from early discovery into the clinical development portfolio. Foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to ensure that discovery efforts, platform capabilities including data platforms, and translational priorities are coordinated and integrated.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of PhD and non-PhD scientists. Cultivate a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• External Engagement: Spearhead collaborations with academic partners and external organizations. Partner with key stakeholders to define publication strategies and support advancement of the company’s scientific reputation in the field.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in immunology, cancer biology, or a related discipline, with deep expertise in tumor immunology, immune-evasive oncogenic signaling pathways, and/or immunotherapy. Demonstrated track record of excellence in research, evidenced by high-impact publications.
• Industry Experience in oncology drug discovery and development, including experience with antibody-directed therapies such as T cell engagers, ADCs, or bispecific antibodies. Early discovery strategy experience is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional projects, with excellent people management skills. Experience in project team leadership and mentoring scientists is strongly preferred.
• Strong strategic thinker capable of prioritizing initiatives, anticipating challenges, and executing effectively in a dynamic, high-energy environment. Rigorous, quantitative, and detail-oriented experimentalist.
• Thrives in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team setting. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with chemistry-based therapies, including small molecules or ADC payloads.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics-driven discovery and integrating computational insights into experimental design.
• Demonstrated proficiency with modern data platforms, machine learning approaches, and advanced analytics to support Cancer Immunology research and decision-making.
• Prior experience as a Program Team Leader, with a track record of driving cross-functional strategy and execution across discovery and development stages.