Executive Director, Therapeutic Applications & Portfolio Team Lead

About Generate:Biomedicines

Generate:Biomedicines is a new kind of therapeutics company – existing at the intersection of machine learning, biological engineering, and medicine – pioneering Generative Biology™ to create breakthrough medicines where novel therapeutics are computationally generated, instead of being discovered. The Company has built a machine learning-powered biomedicines platform with the potential to generate new drugs across a wide range of biologic modalities. This platform represents a potentially fundamental shift in what is possible in the field of biotherapeutic development.

We pursue this audacious vision because we believe in the unique and revolutionary power of generative biology to radically transform the lives of billions, with an outsized opportunity for patients in need. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for impact to join us!

Generate:Biomedicines was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering and has received nearly $700 million in funding, providing the resources to rapidly scale the organization. The Company has offices in Somerville and Andover, Massachusetts with 300+ employees.

The Role:

Generate:Biomedicines is seeking a visionary and execution-focused Executive Director to lead new Therapeutic Applications (TApps) and serve as a Portfolio Team Lead within our AI-enabled drug discovery engine.

This role represents an evolution from the former Head of Early Discovery Biology model. Rather than leading all early discovery activities functionally, this leader will:

• Define and advance new therapeutic applications enabled by Generate’s platform
• Translate emerging platform capabilities into differentiated drug discovery programs
• Lead cross-functional portfolio execution as asset team leader
• Build and develop focused biological strategy aligned to selected TApps

This leader may drive therapeutic applications in areas such as ion channels or other complex target classes, depending on portfolio needs and strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, this Executive Director operates at enterprise scope — shaping pipeline direction, influencing platform investments, and driving programs through key inflection points toward candidate nomination and beyond.

This is a highly cross-functional leadership role at the intersection of biology, AI/ML-enabled protein generation, and therapeutic strategy.

Here's how you will contribute:

Therapeutic Application Strategy

• Define and drive the vision for new Therapeutic Applications (TApps) enabled by Generate’s Generative Biology™ platform.
• Identify high-value disease hypotheses and differentiated target opportunities across therapeutic areas.
• Partner closely with the Technology Organization to align platform capabilities with TApp biology needs.
• Establish iterative feedback loops between technology development and program progression.
• Lead opportunity assessment, biological validation strategy, and competitive differentiation.
• Shape how complex or previously intractable biology is addressed through AI-enabled approaches.

Portfolio Team Leadership

• Serve as Portfolio Team Lead for one or more Therapeutic Applications (e.g., ion channel TApp or other emerging biology areas).
• Lead highly cross-functional asset teams spanning Biology, Protein Sciences, Technology, Data Science/ML, DMPK, Translational Sciences, and Early Development.
• Define integrated asset strategies from TApp conception through lead candidate selection.
• Own program-level prioritization, trade-offs, and milestone execution.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise portfolio strategy and resource planning.
• Present strategy, risks, and milestone progress to executive leadership.
• Represent programs internally and externally as scientific spokesperson where appropriate.

Scientific & Organizational Leadership

• Build and develop high-performing scientists aligned to TApp strategy.
• Set a high bar for scientific rigor, reproducibility, and innovation.
• Foster a culture of productive challenge, data-driven decision-making, and digital fluency.
• Recruit and mentor emerging scientific leaders.
• Enable strong collaboration between platform teams and pipeline teams.

Enterprise & Strategic Impact

• Contribute to R&D leadership discussions on portfolio balance and long-term strategy.
• Influence investment decisions across enabling technologies and therapeutic focus areas.
• Help define Generate’s differentiated approach to AI-enabled therapeutic development.
• Act as an internal thought partner to the CSO on emerging biology opportunities.

Decisions in this role will materially impact company-level objectives and long-term pipeline value.

Leadership Responsibilities 

This role will:

• Drive Results & Accountability: Set ambitious portfolio and TApp goals and ensure disciplined execution.
• Build High-Performing, Diverse Teams: Recruit and develop exceptional talent; foster inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Lead Strategically at Enterprise Scale: Align TApp strategy with long-term corporate vision and portfolio objectives.
• Encourage Adaptability & Smart Risk-Taking: Advance bold hypotheses and innovative target classes through calculated experimentation.
• Communicate with Transparency & Courage: Provide clear, data-driven updates and navigate complex trade-offs with executive stakeholders.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Define entirely new therapeutic frontiers enabled by Generative Biology™.
• Lead cross-functional portfolio strategy at enterprise scale.
• Shape how emerging biology is translated into transformative medicines.
• Work directly with the CSO to drive next-generation therapeutic innovation.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• PhD or M.D./Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences discipline is required.
• ~15+ years of biotech/pharma experience spanning discovery and early development.
• Demonstrated success advancing programs from early ideation through lead candidate selection (clinical-stage experience preferred).
• Experience leading cross-functional drug discovery teams in a matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies into differentiated therapeutic programs.
• Experience managing and developing scientific leaders and teams.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in complex target biology (e.g., ion channels, membrane proteins, difficult-to-drug targets) strongly preferred.

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI/ML-driven drug discovery or computational protein design.
• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas.
• IND-enabling or early clinical program leadership.
• External scientific visibility (publications, invited talks, advisory roles).

 

Generate:Biomedicines is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Generate:Biomedicines does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Generate:Biomedicines or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by the Company’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Generate:Biomedicines and the Company will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.