Centessa Pharmaceuticals

Associate Director, Analytical Development – Small Molecule

Centessa Pharmaceuticals · Boston, MA
Boston, MA $190K–$210K Posted 2026-06-16
Salary
$190K–$210K
Type
Full-time
Experience
10+ yr

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company is advancing a portfolio of high conviction programs with strong biological validation.  Our asset-centric model offers a unique R&D logic that has been applied by single asset companies to improve productivity. This operating model has minimal centralized infrastructure, reduced hierarchy, and exclusive focus on data driven capital allocation. Our teams are uniquely incentivized to expeditiously interrogate key scientific hypotheses. We believe the asset-centric model can lead to improved success rates for programs with greater speed and modest costs.

Description of Role

Centessa continues to expand its CMC group and currently seeks a n   Associate  Director of  Analytical R&D within the CMC   group . The successful candidate will have hands-on experience  lead ing  the execution of  small molecule  analytical activities across  early to  late-stage development. This  position  will oversee work with various vendors and oversee  analytical functions across programs .   Comprehensive working knowledge of cGMP and regulatory guidance as they relate to development, testing, characterization, and shelf-life management of biologics is paramount .   This position will be accountable for design, execution, and reporting of analytical data at external CDMOs to meet company deliverables and timelines .   Travel to vendors both domestically and internationally will be  required .

Key Responsibilities

  • Support analytical development activities related to method development and qualification/validation, product characterization, and comparability assessment for multiple programs
  • Work in a team environment to manage drug substance and drug product analytical development activities primarily at third-party vendors including analytical method implementation, qualification/validation, and transfer for drug substance and drug product projects
  • Review method validation protocols, reports, and transfer activities
  • Review test data for release, stability, and characterization plans for projects
  • Save and store documentation, generate stability result tables, file stability data and results data
  • Monitor stability due dates and coordinate data transfer from vendors
  • Review analytical documents including but not limited to protocols, reports, and procedures
  • Act as the CMC team analytical representative member in cross functional developmental teams
  • Contribute to CMC analytical aspects of regulatory filings; review and assemble information for analytical sections in regulatory submission documents (e.g. IND, IMPD, NDA, etc)
  • Coordinate and execute domestic and international shipments
  • Serve as a technical expert and aid in analytical investigations and troubleshooting
  • Assist with batch record review and deviation investigations

Qualifications

  • PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline or MS with extensive relevant biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience
  • 10+ years of experience in biotech/pharmaceutical industry in small molecules, working in early to late-development (pre-clinical to phase 3)
  • Strong analytical planning and resource management skills in a dynamic environment located across multiple geographies
  • In depth knowledge of assay and related substances development, forced degradation, HPLC/UPLC, GC, KF, XRPD, residual solvents, elemental impurities, microbial testing, dissolution, compendial methods.
  • Hands-on experience in carrying out stability studies for drug substance and drug product in development and/or QC settings
  • Experience managing DS/DP stability, and knowledge of ICH stability guidelines
  • Knowledge of compendial (USP, EP, etc) requirements and standards
  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) related to the QC laboratory and ability to identify/remediate gaps in processes or systems
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with internal and external business partners
  • Requires a good understanding of managing groups, CMOs, CDMOs and other vendors

Work Location

The  Associate Director, Analytical Development  role  is  based in the US, with occasional travel .

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $190,000.00 to $210,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus. Centessa also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.

$65K — 10th pctl $230K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $200K vs. market median $130K for Operations roles
+55%
above median
Based on 10,000+ Operations roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
O
Vice President, Pharmacovigilance & Safety
Boston, MA
Operations
$350K–$380K
O
Executive Director, Clinical Development
Boston, MA
Operations
$300K–$375K
O
Executive Director, Head of Toxicology
Boston, MA
Operations
$320K–$350K
See all roles at Centessa Pharmaceuticals →
F
Associate Director, Analytical Development & QC
Formation Bio Boston, MA
Operations
$177K–$232K
R
Principal Scientist Analytical Development & Quality Control, Small Molecule
Retro Biosciences Redwood City, CA
Operations
$185K–$225K
S
Associate Director, Analytical Development and Vendor Management
Sana Biotechnology Cambridge, MA
Operations
$170K–$210K
X
Associate Director, Analytical Development
Xaira Therapeutics South San Francisco, CA
Operations
$172K–$215K
See all Operations roles →

Interested in this role?

Apply directly on the company site — no recruiter middleman, no account required.

Apply now →
Apply on company site