Senior Director, Analytical Sciences

At Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Verrica”) we are passionate about developing innovative therapies for dermatological diseases, including skin cancers. Our commercial product, YCANTH, is the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum, a skin infection commonly affecting children, and we have several future products in development. If you love having direct access to senior leaders and an opportunity to excel in a fast-paced, small-pharma environment, we’re the team for you.

As Senior Director, Analytical Sciences, you will be responsible for providing analytical strategy and oversight, for testing of Verrica's pharmaceutical products, including: vendor management; document preparation for regulatory submissions; specification setting; analytical test method development, method validation, method transfer, and stability programs for drug substances, raw materials, and drug products; and device characterization and performance testing.

Analytical Sciences Strategy and Execution

• Develop CMC Department’s analytical strategy in alignment with company objectives and drive execution of such strategy.
• Set specifications and provide technical oversight of all analytical testing to advance R&D clinical projects and deliver commercial supplies.
• Direct analytical method development, validation, and transfer for small molecule and peptide drug substances, raw materials, and drug products.
• Manage product and analytical lifecycle changes and drive improvements for drug substance, raw materials, and drug product.
• Direct external consultants, contract labs, contract supplier technical teams, and other external technical resources.
• Design and execute appropriate drug substance and drug product stability programs to support product development, registration, and commercial supply.
• Prepare supporting documentation for technical projects including risk assessments, data analysis, and technical reports, as required.

Data Quality and Regulatory Analysis

• Review analytical release and stability data and perform data analysis and trending in support of projects.
• Prepare analytical sections of regulatory submissions including IND, IMPDs, milestone briefing packages (Pre IND/NDA Meetings, EOP2 Agency Meetings), NDA, SNDA, MAA and other global regulatory submissions.
• Work with Quality and Technical Operations teams and provide SME input to ensure all Out-of-Specification and Laboratory Investigation issues are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Interact with international regulatory agencies on CMC analytical topics, as appropriate.
• Contribute to authoring and maintenance of SOPs appropriate for cGMP compliance.

Maintain Operational Excellence

• Act as Subject Matter Expert across the company to support decisions, solve problems, and drive improvements in clinical, non-clinical, regulatory, operations, and product development functions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and external SMEs, as needed.
• Monitor and drive vendor performance.

• PhD degree in Analytical Chemistry or related field. At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in Analytical Sciences within the pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries, combination products, peptides, small molecules, CMC, drug substance and drug product, clinical and non-clinical.
• Must have knowledge of the relevant regulations, regulatory process, and requirements
• Extensive experience in Drug Product analysis including Raw Materials, Specifications, method development, method validation, and method transfer
• Must have demonstrated experience in managing teams of diverse analytical backgrounds including analytical work at CRO/CDMOs
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to Verrica’s vision, mission, core values and culture.

Must be able to sit for extended periods of time at a desk. Normal requirements for office operations with respect to lifting, standing and walking.

For the opportunity to be part of a ground-floor commercial team at a growing pharmaceutical company

• Autonomy, trust, and the ability to help shape access strategy—not just execute it
• A fast-moving culture where your voice matters and your work has real impact
• Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits
• Performance-based discretionary bonus compensation
• This position includes medical, dental, vision insurance as well as a 401k plan and paid time off

If you’re passionate about helping patients access medicines, energized by challenge, and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of dermatology — let’s talk!