Executive Director – Vice President, Biology & Translational Pharmacology

Profluent Bio

Executive Director/Vice President overseeing liver-directed genetic medicine therapeutic programs in a cutting-edge AI-driven environment. Leading cross-functional teams in biomedicine and translational pharmacology.

Posted 7/2/2026full-timeEmeryville • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $270,000 - $340,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and oversee a high-performing liver biology and translational pharmacology organization, including direct management of program and in vivo pharmacology leaders.
Lead scientific strategy and execution for 2–3 liver-directed genetic medicine programs, translating Profluent’s customized base editor platform into a differentiated portfolio for severe inborn metabolic diseases.
Provide accountable leadership for cross-functional therapeutic program teams, integrating translational biology, genome editing, protein engineering, delivery, pharmacology, bioanalytics, CMC, regulatory, and preclinical development expertise.
Partner with functional leaders to define program resourcing, critical-path activities, timelines, risks, and key experiments required to deliver development candidates and IND-ready data packages.
Guide in vivo pharmacology strategy across rodent and NHP studies, including model selection, dose strategy, biodistribution, editing activity, durability, target engagement, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, tolerability, and translational relevance.
Bring deep liver and metabolic disease expertise to the design of experiments that distinguish mechanism, causality, pharmacology, and therapeutic impact across genetically defined disease contexts.
Apply strong scientific judgment to experimental design, data interpretation, and program decision-making, ensuring studies are efficient, well-controlled, and capable of supporting clear go/no-go decisions.
Translate Profluent’s established liver portfolio vision into actionable program strategy for selected targets, while contributing to future prioritization of additional genetically defined opportunities in liver and other tissues.
Represent program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership, board members, external advisors, potential partners, investors, and collaborators.
Cultivate a collaborative, execution-oriented culture that moves quickly while maintaining scientific rigor, thoughtful prioritization, and high standards for data quality.

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD, MD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree in pharmacology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, hepatology, bioengineering, medicine, or a related discipline.
PhD in related discipline with significant (12+ years) biopharma R&D experience, with a strong track record in genetic medicines, liver biology, translational pharmacology, and preclinical development.
Demonstrated track record advancing multiple therapeutic programs from concept through development candidate nomination; experience advancing at least one program into IND-enabling studies or clinical development is strongly preferred.
Deep experience with genetic medicines or advanced therapeutic modalities, such as RNAi, antisense oligonucleotides, mRNA/LNP therapeutics, gene therapy, genome editing, or related platforms.
Deep understanding of liver biology and metabolic disease, with the ability to connect human genetics, disease biology, pharmacology, biomarkers, translational models, and development strategy.
Extensive experience with rare liver diseases, lipid biology, hepatology, fibrosis biology, and / or metabolic liver disease.
Experience designing and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies, including rodent and/or NHP studies evaluating PK/PD, biodistribution, dose response, target engagement, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, durability, efficacy, and tolerability.
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary scientific teams, including direct management of senior scientists or functional leaders and leadership of matrixed drug-discovery project teams.
Working knowledge of IND-enabling requirements, toxicology interfaces, CMC considerations, bioanalytical assay needs, and regulatory expectations sufficient to guide program-level decisions.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor scientific and strategic messages for audiences ranging from technical project teams to senior executives, board members, external advisors, partners, and generalist investors.
Direct experience or at least high-level familiarity with gene editing proteins such as nucleases, base editors, prime editors, recombinases, etc.
Team-centered and deeply collaborative, with a positive presence that motivates others; inspired by the opportunity to translate great science into meaningful outcomes for patients.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation package with equity participation
401(k) with a strong employer match
Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Translational PharmacologyLiver BiologyGenome EditingRNAiAntisense OligonucleotidesMRNA/LNP TherapeuticsGene TherapyPharmacodynamic BiomarkersPreclinical DevelopmentExperimental Design

Soft Skills

Outstanding Communication SkillsCollaborative Team LeadershipPositive Motivational Presence