Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Virology Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Virology Director is a key scientific and strategic leader responsible for conceiving, driving, and overseeing the organization's antiviral drug discovery and development portfolio. This individual combines deep scientific expertise in virology with proven leadership capabilities to manage a team of scientists, set research direction, and advance novel therapeutic candidates from early discovery through to preclinical and clinical development. The Director serves as the internal subject matter expert, shaping the company's virology strategy and ensuring the execution of robust, high-quality research that aligns with corporate goals and addresses unmet medical needs. This role is pivotal in fostering innovation, mentoring talent, and collaborating across functions to bring new antiviral medicines to patients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Associate Director, Virology
Principal Scientist with significant project leadership experience
Senior Scientist / Group Leader in a large biopharma organization

Advancement To:

Senior Director, Virology / Research
Vice President, Research & Development
Head of Discovery Biology

Lateral Moves:

Director, Immunology
Director, Preclinical or Translational Medicine
Director, External Innovation & Scientific Alliances

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide strategic scientific leadership and overall direction for all virology-related research programs, from target identification and validation through to IND-enabling studies.
Lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing team of Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Design, oversee, and interpret complex in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the efficacy, mechanism of action (MoA), and resistance profiles of antiviral compounds.
Drive the development and implementation of novel, physiologically relevant assays and models for viral infection to support drug discovery and characterization.
Act as the primary virology subject matter expert on cross-functional project teams, collaborating closely with Chemistry, DMPK, Toxicology, Clinical, and Regulatory Affairs.
Direct the scientific and operational aspects of BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory facilities, ensuring full compliance with safety protocols, training, and regulatory standards.
Prepare and present clear, concise research findings, program updates, and strategic recommendations to senior management, scientific advisory boards, and corporate partners.
Author and review key sections of regulatory documents, including INDs, BLAs, and other submissions to global health authorities like the FDA and EMA.
Establish and manage external collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and other third parties to supplement internal capabilities and accelerate timelines.
Maintain a deep and current understanding of the virology landscape, including emerging viral threats, competitive intelligence, and cutting-edge scientific advancements, to inform company strategy.
Champion new technologies and innovative approaches to antiviral research, continuously improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the discovery engine.
Assume responsibility for the virology department's budget, resource allocation, and project timelines, ensuring deliverables are met in alignment with corporate objectives.
Guide the generation of high-quality, reproducible data suitable for critical decision-making, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and patent applications.
Play a key role in identifying and evaluating external assets and in-licensing opportunities through scientific due diligence.
Lead efforts to understand viral pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions to identify novel therapeutic targets and strategies.
Ensure the seamless transfer of assays and knowledge from research to development and clinical teams.
Develop and implement a clear publication and presentation strategy to establish the company as a leader in the virology field.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and provide expert virology insights for exploratory analyses and business development initiatives.
Contribute to the organization's broader research and data strategy, particularly in areas intersecting with biology and bioinformatics.
Collaborate with business units and corporate strategy to translate emerging scientific discoveries and public health needs into actionable research requirements.
Participate in departmental and cross-functional planning sessions, representing the virology function and contributing to broader R&D goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep expertise in classical and molecular virology, including viral replication cycles, pathogenesis, and host immune responses for a range of viruses (e.g., RNA/DNA viruses, respiratory viruses, herpesviruses).
Proven hands-on experience with a wide array of virological and cellular assays, such as plaque assays, TCID50, neutralization assays, reporter gene assays, and antiviral screening.
Strong background in molecular biology techniques (qPCR, RT-qPCR, ddPCR, cloning, mutagenesis, NGS) and immunology methods (flow cytometry, ELISpot, cytokine analysis).
Extensive experience in managing laboratory operations within BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 containment facilities, including a thorough understanding of biosafety principles.
Demonstrable track record of success in leading small molecule or biologics drug discovery programs from hit identification to lead optimization and candidate selection.
Experience with authoring or contributing significantly to regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, IB) and interacting with regulatory agencies.
Proficiency in analyzing, interpreting, and troubleshooting complex scientific data using software such as GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and other data analysis tools.

Soft Skills

Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a proven ability to build, mentor, and inspire a team of scientists.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively presenting complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, from bench scientists to executive leadership.
Strategic thinking and a visionary mindset, with the ability to align scientific initiatives with overarching business objectives.
Highly collaborative and influential, with a demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.
Strong problem-solving abilities and scientific rigor, with a talent for navigating ambiguity and making data-driven decisions.
Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet critical deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. followed by productive postdoctoral fellowship in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Virology
Microbiology
Immunology
Molecular or Cell Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 10-12 years of relevant post-doctoral experience, with at least 5-7 years in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Preferred:

8+ years of industry experience with a demonstrated history of increasing responsibility, including at least 3-5 years of direct team leadership and management experience. A strong publication record and history of contributing to the advancement of antiviral clinical candidates are highly desirable.