Sr. Director/VP, Biology at Manifold Bio

<div><strong>Manifold Bio is a platform biotechnology company pioneering AI-guided protein design and massively multiplexed in vivo screening to unlock tissue-targeted medicines and organism-scale models of living systems.</strong><span style="color: #262626;"> Using proprietary molecular barcoding technology, we screen hundreds of thousands of protein designs simultaneously in living systems, producing in vivo-validated datasets at a scale no one else can match. The datasets power our computational models, which leads to better drug designs, creating a flywheel that gets stronger with every campaign. Our team of protein engineers, biologists, and computational scientists works</span><span style="color: #262626;">&nbsp;across this full stack to pursue programs both internally and with leading pharma companies.</span></div> <h3><strong>The Opportunity</strong></h3> <p>We are seeking an exceptional Head of Biology to lead the scientific strategy and execution that will realize the full potential of the Manifold platform. You will own the creation of a differentiated pipeline of tissue-targeted therapeutics that are delivered directly to target tissue via novel receptor portals that have been discovered through our platform combining AI-design with <em>in vivo</em> data at scale. You will directly lead our discovery biology and pharmacology teams, while also serving as the accountable leader for 1-2 drug-discovery matrix project teams from product concept through IND.</p> <p>As a member of our R&amp;D leadership team, you will set pipeline and portal prioritization strategy and represent Manifold's science with potential business partners, investors, and KOLs. Our initial focus is CNS: brain-shuttled mAbs and oligonucleotides leveraging novel BBB portals, with expansion opportunities into other tissue targets and modalities.</p> <h3><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Build and oversee a research organization of highly effective discovery biology and pharmacology scientists, directly managing 2-4 team leads.</li> <li>Efficiently prioritize workflows to discover tissue-targeting shuttles and shuttled therapeutics, translating platform capabilities into a best-in-class portfolio of tissue-targeted medicines.</li> <li>Provide effective leadership for 1-2 cross-functional drug discovery project teams, integrating biology, therapeutic discovery/engineering, pharmacology, and preclinical development expertise.</li> <li>Craft and deliver effective scientific presentations for leadership, board members, potential partners, and investors.&nbsp;</li> <li>Partner with functional leads to recommend staffing, resourcing, and critical-path activities necessary to deliver IND-ready assets and lead molecules that achieve partner research milestones.</li> <li>Provide technical mentorship on experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication. Ensure experimental plans are rigorous, efficient, and deliver data that support clear actions and decisions.</li> <li>Collect, review and update datasets from both platform and project teams. Lead internal discussions to deliver data-driven recommendations of priorities and next steps.&nbsp;</li> <li>Cultivate a collaborative, execution-oriented culture that moves quickly without compromising quality or rigor.</li> <li>Build strong collaborative relationships with scientists in AI/ML, platform discovery, and&nbsp; biotherapeutic engineering, leveraging diverse perspectives and sources of expertise to make the right scientific decisions.</li> <li>Serve as the scientific liaison with external partner R&amp;D leadership to scope, negotiate, and execute research and development partnerships. Serve on or advise partner Joint Research Committees.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Education and Experience:</strong> PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience, pathology, or a closely related discipline; 10+ years of biopharma R&amp;D experience for VP level, or 7+ years for Senior Director level</li> <li><strong>Drug-hunter track record: </strong>Demonstrated advancement of multiple discovery programs from concept through Development Candidate, with at least one program advanced into Phase 1 strongly preferred. Ability to understand and use regulatory, clinical and CMC considerations to inform TPP, early discovery priorities, and key go/no-go experiments.&nbsp; Hands on experience with multiple modalities, preferred experience with antibodies, antibody: drug conjugates, fusion proteins, or oligonucleotides.</li> <li><strong>Therapeutic area expertise: </strong>Deep domain knowledge of underlying biology associated with a major therapeutic area. CNS preferred, with cardiometabolic, muscular/neuromuscular, pain, fibrosis, pulmonary and kidney disease also of interest. Familiarity with BBB biology, receptor-mediated transcytosis, PK/PD modeling, and/or tissue-targeting modalities is a strong plus.</li> <li><strong>Team leadership: </strong>Track record of building, managing, and developing multidisciplinary discovery organizations of 5+ scientists; proven ability to recruit and retain senior scientific talent. In addition, demonstrated experience leading or serving as core member of matrixed drug-discovery project teams in biotech or pharma</li> <li><strong>Bioanalytical assay design and interpretation: </strong>experience bringing both innovation and rigor to the design of high-quality, high-throughput assays. Ability to transfer research-grade assays to automation platforms and qualified CROs.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Developability &amp; IND awareness: </strong>Working knowledge of CMC, developability, and IND-enabling requirements sufficient to make program-level decisions and resource CMC/CDMO work appropriately.</li> <li><strong>Communication: </strong>Outstanding written and verbal communication; ability to adjust framing to audiences ranging from junior scientists to experienced biopharma leaders and generalist investors.</li> <li><strong>Agile leadership: </strong>comfortable in a fast-moving, agile organization where leaders must directly drive execution.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Humble, team-first, and collaborative; brings joy and energy to work and inspires those around them; deep passion for the science and the patients it serves</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>We value different experiences and ways of thinking and believe the most talented teams are built by bringing together people of diverse cultures, genders, and backgrounds.</strong></p> <p><strong>Base Salary Range: </strong>$240,000-340,000</p> <p>This reflects the typical offer range for this role, based on experience, role scope, and internal equity. Final compensation decisions are made using a consistent leveling framework and consider the candidate’s experience, interview performance, and expected impact.</p> <p>This role is eligible for:</p> <ul> <li>Annual performance-based target bonus</li> <li>Stock options</li> <li>Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage</li> <li>401(k) plan</li> <li>Flexible paid time off and holidays</li> <li>Perks including on-site gym, onsite lunch, and commuter support</li> </ul> <p>Our compensation ranges are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with market trends and internal equity.</p> <p><br><br><br></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">We value different experiences and ways of thinking and believe the most talented teams are built by bringing together people of diverse cultures, genders, and backgrounds.</span></em></em></p></div>