Comprehensive Job Profile for a Veterinary Research Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Veterinary Research Director is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic planning, direction, and execution of all research and development activities within the animal health division. This individual will lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and veterinarians, overseeing the entire R&D pipeline, from early-stage discovery to late-stage clinical trials. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of veterinary medicine, pharmacology, and the regulatory landscape, capable of translating scientific insights into a successful product portfolio. You will be the scientific cornerstone of our R&D efforts, ensuring all programs are conducted with the highest ethical and scientific rigor.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Principal Scientist (Animal Health)
Veterinary Clinical Research Manager or Senior Manager
Associate Director of Preclinical or Clinical Development

Advancement To:

Vice President (VP) of Research & Development
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
Head of Global Animal Health

Lateral Moves:

Director of Veterinary Regulatory Affairs
Director of Medical Affairs (Animal Health)
Director of Business Development (R&D Focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide strategic scientific leadership and direction for the entire veterinary research and development portfolio, from early-stage discovery through to late-stage clinical development and post-market support.
Direct the design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical and clinical studies (GCP/GLP) to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacology of new veterinary drugs, biologics, and therapeutics.
Oversee and manage the entire R&D budget, ensuring optimal allocation of financial resources, personnel, and capital equipment to achieve strategic objectives.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of scientists, veterinarians, and research staff, fostering a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, and accountability.
Serve as the primary scientific expert and senior point of contact for internal stakeholders, external partners, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA-CVM, USDA, EMA).
Drive the strategic planning and execution of the R&D pipeline, making critical go/no-go decisions based on scientific data, market potential, and alignment with corporate goals.
Ensure all research activities, protocols, and documentation are in strict compliance with relevant global regulatory standards, including Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and VICH guidelines.
Author, review, and approve key study-related documents, including protocols, study reports, investigator brochures, and sections of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, NADA).
Establish and maintain a robust network of external collaborators, including academic institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and industry experts, to augment internal capabilities.
Direct the data analysis and interpretation esfuerzos, ensuring that study results are accurately reported and translated into actionable insights for program advancement.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, integrating new technologies, methodologies, and scientific approaches to enhance the efficiency and success of the R&D process.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders in Regulatory Affairs, aracterization, and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) to ensure seamless program progression.
Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to the overall corporate strategy, long-range planning, and business development activities.
Present research findings, program updates, and strategic recommendations to the executive team, board of directors, and external stakeholders.
Identify, evaluate, and manage a portfolio of CROs and other external vendors, ensuring they meet quality standards and deliver results on time and within budget.
Provide scientific and technical oversight for target animal safety studies, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling, and bioanalytical method validation.
Stay abreast of aracterizing scientific advancements, emerging diseases, and competitive landscape within the animal health industry to identify new research opportunities and threats.
Lead the scientific due diligence for potential in-licensing, acquisition, or partnership opportunities to expand the company's R&D pipeline.
Facilitate a proactive and positive communication environment, ensuring clear and consistent messaging across all levels of the R&D organization.
Resolve complex scientific and logistical challenges that arise during study conduct, leveraging a deep well of experience and creative problem-solving.

Secondary Functions

Represent the organization at key scientific conferences, symposia, and industry events, presenting research findings and enhancing the company's scientific reputation.
Contribute to the development and protection of the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents and publications.
Provide scientific support to the commercial and marketing teams for product launches and lifecycle management.
Participate in the creation of scientific publications and abstracts for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Veterinary Drug Development: Expert-level knowledge of the end-to-end animal health drug development lifecycle, from discovery to commercialization.
Regulatory Expertise: Deep familiarity with global animal health regulations, including guidelines from FDA-CVM, USDA, and EMA.
GCP & GLP Mastery: Proven experience in designing and executing studies under Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.
Scientific Study Design: Advanced proficiency in designing, implementing, and interpreting complex preclinical and clinical trials for target animal species.
Statistical Acumen: Strong understanding of biostatistics and its application in clinical trial design and data analysis.
Pharmacology & Toxicology: In-depth knowledge of veterinary pharmacology, PK/PD, and toxicology principles.
Budget & Financial Management: Demonstrated ability to develop and manage large, complex R&D budgets and financial forecasts.

Soft Skills

Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and execute a long-term R&D vision that aligns with business objectives and to inspire a team towards that vision.
Executive Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and persuasively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, including executive leadership.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven skill in working effectively with diverse teams, including regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial departments, to achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Adept at identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex scientific and operational issues in a decisive manner.
Team Development & Mentorship: A passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing scientific talent to build a world-class research organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) OR PhD in a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g., Pharmacology, Immunology, Molecular Biology).

Preferred Education:

Both DVM/VMD and PhD degrees.
Specialty board certification in a relevant veterinary field (e.g., ACVIM, ACVP, ACVCP).
MBA or other advanced business/management degree is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Veterinary Medicine
Pharmacology
Toxicology
Immunology
Pathology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 12-18+ years of progressive experience in the animal health, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology industry.

Preferred:

A minimum of 7-10 years of direct experience in a leadership role managing R&D teams and projects.
A proven track record of successfully advancing veterinary products through the development pipeline to regulatory approval.
Experience managing both internal research teams and external CROs.