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Directeur général - F/H - Job Opportunity at Charles River Laboratories

Évreux, France
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 19, 2025
On-site
EUR 150,000 - 200,000 annually plus performance bonuses and equity participation. This executive-level position in the pharmaceutical CRO sector, requiring 15+ years of experience and advanced education, typically commands premium compensation in the French market, particularly given Charles River's market-leading position and the strategic importance of the Evreux site.

Benefits

Opportunity to impact global health and well-being through pharmaceutical development
Career development support in a 75+ year established company
International exposure with access to 90 sites across 20 countries
Leadership role in a company contributing to 85% of FDA-approved drugs in 2021
Diversity and inclusion focused work environment
Disability-friendly employment policies and accommodations

Key Responsibilities

Drive comprehensive site management and operational excellence for the Evreux facility, ensuring integrated operations that directly impact global pharmaceutical development
Lead strategic planning initiatives in collaboration with senior Discovery and Safety Assessment management to formulate current and long-range business objectives
Execute full P&L responsibility including budget management and cost control oversight, directly impacting site profitability and growth
Spearhead client relationship management and business development efforts, presenting site capabilities to potential clients and contributing to major business proposals
Ensure regulatory compliance across all operations including GLP regulations and governmental agency requirements, maintaining the company's reputation for quality
Drive operational efficiency through standardized DSA processes implementation and continuous improvement programs that maximize resource utilization
Lead talent management initiatives including performance management, succession planning, and employee relations to build high-performing teams
Serve as executive liaison for site expansion projects, representing the company to government agencies, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders
Champion client satisfaction through resolution of study execution, quality, and reporting issues while maintaining the highest service standards

Requirements

Education

Advanced degree (Masters Degree, M.B.A, and/or Ph.D.) in scientific or business-related discipline

Experience

Minimum of 15 years related management experience in research or pharmaceutical environment

Required Skills

Understanding of governmental regulations and guidelines applicable to the care and use of laboratory animals Knowledge of GLP regulations and other legal regulations applicable to non-clinical testing programs Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines Excellent communication (both written and verbal) in French and English Leadership and negotiation skills Ability to interact appropriately with all levels of employees while supporting departmental teams
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increased R&D investments, with contract research organizations like Charles River becoming critical partners in drug development pipelines. The demand for preclinical safety assessment services is expanding as regulatory requirements become more stringent and pharmaceutical companies increasingly outsource non-core activities to specialized providers. Digital transformation in pharmaceutical research is creating new opportunities for CROs to integrate advanced technologies, data analytics, and AI-driven solutions into traditional laboratory services. This trend is particularly relevant for site management roles as they must oversee the implementation of new technologies while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. The global shift towards personalized medicine and specialized therapies is driving demand for more sophisticated preclinical testing capabilities, requiring site managers to adapt operations to handle increasingly complex study designs and regulatory pathways across multiple jurisdictions.

Role Significance

Typically manages 200-400 employees across multiple departments including toxicology, pathology, clinical pathology, facility operations, quality assurance, and administrative functions, with 8-12 direct reports at department head level.
This is a C-level executive position with full P&L responsibility, strategic planning authority, and direct reporting relationships to senior corporate leadership. The role carries significant autonomy in site operations while requiring alignment with corporate strategy and objectives across Charles River's global network.

Key Projects

Site expansion and capacity optimization initiatives to meet growing client demand Implementation of digital transformation projects including laboratory information management systems and data analytics platforms Strategic client partnership development and major contract negotiations Regulatory compliance enhancement programs and audit preparation Talent development and succession planning initiatives Operational efficiency improvement programs and cost optimization strategies

Success Factors

Strategic business acumen combined with deep scientific understanding to navigate the complex pharmaceutical development landscape and make decisions that balance scientific rigor with commercial viability Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities to effectively interact with pharmaceutical executives, regulatory agencies, internal corporate leadership, and diverse employee populations while maintaining alignment across multiple priorities Change management expertise to lead organizational transformation initiatives, implement new technologies, and adapt operations to evolving market demands while maintaining operational continuity and employee engagement Financial leadership skills to manage complex budgets, optimize resource allocation, and drive profitability while investing in long-term growth capabilities and maintaining world-class quality standards

Market Demand

High demand driven by pharmaceutical industry growth, increased outsourcing trends, and the critical shortage of experienced leaders who combine scientific expertise with operational excellence in GLP-regulated environments.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

GLP regulatory expertise is absolutely essential as this role requires ensuring compliance with complex and evolving regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions, with any compliance failures potentially resulting in significant client losses and regulatory sanctions Bilingual French-English communication capabilities are mandatory given the need to interact with local French employees, European clients, and global corporate leadership, requiring nuanced cultural and linguistic competency Pharmaceutical industry management experience is critical as the role demands deep understanding of drug development processes, client expectations, and industry dynamics that cannot be easily transferred from other sectors Financial management and P&L responsibility skills are essential as the role requires optimizing site profitability while maintaining quality standards and making complex resource allocation decisions

Beneficial Skills

Advanced degree in life sciences provides credibility with scientific staff and clients while enabling more effective technical decision-making Digital transformation and technology implementation experience becomes increasingly valuable as the industry adopts new laboratory technologies and data management systems International business experience enhances effectiveness in managing relationships with global clients and corporate stakeholders Merger and acquisition experience could be valuable given industry consolidation trends and potential site expansion opportunities

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to lead a mission-critical site within the world's largest preclinical CRO, directly impacting global pharmaceutical development and patient health outcomes
Strategic role in a company that contributed to 85% of FDA drug approvals, providing unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge pharmaceutical research and development programs
Leadership position that combines scientific excellence with business strategy, offering the unique opportunity to influence both operational performance and industry standards
Access to Charles River's global network of expertise, resources, and best practices while maintaining entrepreneurial autonomy in site management and local market development

Career Growth

3-5 years for progression to regional leadership roles, 5-8 years for advancement to corporate executive positions, depending on performance and strategic business growth

Potential Next Roles

Regional Vice President or Managing Director overseeing multiple sites across Europe Corporate Vice President of Global Operations or Safety Assessment Chief Operating Officer or Chief Executive Officer roles within mid-size CRO organizations Senior executive positions in pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies leading R&D operations

Company Overview

Charles River Laboratories

Charles River Laboratories is the world's leading contract research organization specializing in early-stage drug development, with over 75 years of history and a dominant market position in preclinical research services. The company serves as a critical partner to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies globally, providing comprehensive drug discovery and development support from target identification through preclinical development.

Market leader in the CRO industry with significant competitive advantages including global scale, comprehensive service offerings, regulatory expertise, and strong client relationships. The company's contribution to 85% of FDA-approved drugs in 2021 demonstrates its central role in pharmaceutical innovation and development.
The Evreux site represents a strategic European hub for Charles River's Safety Assessment division, serving as a key facility for supporting European pharmaceutical development programs and providing proximity to major European pharmaceutical centers while maintaining access to global resources and expertise.
Professional, science-driven environment with strong emphasis on quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The company promotes diversity and inclusion while maintaining high performance standards and fostering collaboration across global teams.
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