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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 variable compensation. This estimate reflects the executive nature of the role, the requirement for 15+ years of specialized pharmaceutical management experience, bilingual capabilities, and the responsibility for full site P&L management in a major international CRO. The position likely includes performance bonuses tied to site KPIs and business development success.

Benefits

Opportunity to contribute to global health and well-being through pharmaceutical development
Career development support in a dynamic international environment
Access to cutting-edge technology and equipment in laboratory settings
Professional growth opportunities within a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services
Inclusive workplace culture with commitment to diversity and disability employment integration
International exposure through collaboration with global teams across 90 sites in 20 countries

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive site management operations ensuring integrated performance across all Discovery and Safety Assessment functions
Drive strategic planning initiatives in collaboration with senior DSA management to formulate current and long-range organizational objectives
Execute full P&L responsibility including budget management and cost control oversight for capital investments
Spearhead business development activities by identifying new opportunities and presenting CRL capabilities to high-value potential clients
Ensure regulatory compliance adherence across all site operations including GLP regulations and governmental agency requirements
Optimize operational efficiency through KPI achievement including room utilization and DLU targets while maximizing resource allocation
Lead talent management initiatives including performance evaluation, coaching, and succession planning for key departmental personnel
Drive client satisfaction excellence by resolving study execution, quality, and reporting issues to maximize client retention
Represent the organization as executive liaison for site expansion projects and external stakeholder relationships
Champion process harmonization and implementation across internal and external teams to enhance market competitiveness

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 Support the efforts of departmental teams
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Contract Research Organization (CRO) industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by pharmaceutical companies' increasing outsourcing of preclinical and clinical research activities to reduce costs and accelerate time-to-market for new drug developments. This trend is particularly strong in the safety assessment sector where specialized expertise and regulatory compliance are critical. Regulatory landscape complexity continues to intensify with evolving GLP standards and international harmonization requirements, creating demand for experienced leaders who can navigate multiple regulatory frameworks across different markets while maintaining operational efficiency. The biopharmaceutical sector is witnessing a surge in personalized medicine and specialized therapeutic areas, requiring CRO facilities to adapt their capabilities and infrastructure to support more complex and diverse study protocols, driving the need for strategic leadership at site level.

Role Significance

Typically manages 100-300+ employees across multiple departments including research, laboratory operations, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and business development. The role involves both direct management of department heads and indirect leadership of the entire site workforce, requiring sophisticated organizational and delegation skills.
This is a top-tier executive position with full site autonomy and strategic decision-making authority. The role operates at the intersection of operational excellence and business development, requiring both deep technical knowledge and commercial acumen. The position reports directly to senior corporate leadership and has significant influence on regional strategy and performance.

Key Projects

Site expansion and capacity enhancement initiatives to support growing client demand and emerging therapeutic areas Implementation of new technology platforms and digital transformation projects to improve operational efficiency and data management capabilities Strategic client partnership development including long-term contract negotiations with major pharmaceutical companies Regulatory compliance enhancement projects to meet evolving international standards and prepare for regulatory inspections Cross-site standardization and best practice implementation initiatives to leverage Charles River's global capabilities and ensure consistent service delivery quality

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to balance scientific rigor with commercial objectives, ensuring that operational decisions support both regulatory compliance and business growth while maintaining the highest standards of research integrity. Strong relationship-building capabilities across diverse stakeholder groups including pharmaceutical clients, regulatory agencies, internal corporate leadership, and local government officials, enabling effective representation of the site's interests and capabilities. Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence, allowing for long-term planning and vision development while ensuring day-to-day execution meets performance targets and client expectations. Change management expertise to guide the organization through industry evolution, regulatory changes, and technological advancement while maintaining staff engagement and operational continuity. Financial acumen and business development skills to optimize site profitability, identify growth opportunities, and present compelling value propositions to potential clients in an increasingly competitive market.

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified candidates. The combination of advanced scientific education, extensive pharmaceutical management experience, regulatory expertise, and bilingual French-English proficiency creates a highly specialized candidate pool. The growing CRO market and increasing pharmaceutical outsourcing trends support strong demand for these executive positions.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Regulatory expertise in GLP and international pharmaceutical guidelines is absolutely essential as non-compliance can result in study invalidation, client loss, and regulatory sanctions that could jeopardize the entire site's operations and reputation. Bilingual communication capabilities in French and English are critical for managing local French operations while interfacing with international clients and Charles River's global corporate structure, enabling effective stakeholder management at all levels. Financial management and P&L responsibility skills are vital for site sustainability and growth, particularly in the competitive CRO market where operational efficiency directly impacts profitability and ability to invest in new capabilities. Leadership and people management expertise are crucial for maintaining high employee engagement and retention in the specialized pharmaceutical research field where talent scarcity and competition for skilled professionals is intense.

Beneficial Skills

Digital transformation and data management knowledge would provide competitive advantages as the pharmaceutical industry increasingly emphasizes digital capabilities, real-time data access, and integrated technology platforms for improved study efficiency. International business development experience would enhance the role's effectiveness given Charles River's global client base and the increasing trend toward multinational pharmaceutical companies seeking integrated global research solutions. Advanced scientific expertise in emerging therapeutic areas such as gene therapy, cell therapy, or personalized medicine would position the site for growth in high-value, specialized research segments where premium pricing and strategic partnerships are possible. Merger and acquisition experience would be valuable given the consolidating CRO industry and potential for site acquisitions, partnerships, or strategic alliances that could enhance capabilities and market position.

Unique Aspects

The role combines operational leadership with active business development responsibilities, requiring both internal management excellence and external client relationship building, which is distinctive from purely operational general manager positions.
Position requires bilingual French-English proficiency and deep understanding of both European and international regulatory frameworks, making it particularly specialized for the European pharmaceutical market.
The site's focus on approximately 300 IND-enabling studies annually positions the role at the critical intersection of pharmaceutical innovation and regulatory approval, directly impacting drug development timelines and success rates.
Integration with Charles River's global network provides unique opportunities for cross-site collaboration and resource sharing, allowing for more sophisticated study designs and international client service capabilities.
The role encompasses both GLP-compliant research operations and business development activities, requiring a rare combination of scientific credibility and commercial acumen that few executives possess.

Career Growth

Career progression to next executive level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing site leaders, particularly those who achieve significant business growth, successful site expansions, or strategic client wins. Progression speed depends on individual performance, site success metrics, and availability of senior positions within the organization.

Potential Next Roles

Regional Director or Vice President overseeing multiple Charles River sites across Europe or globally, with expanded geographic and operational responsibility Chief Operating Officer or Senior Vice President positions within Charles River's Discovery and Safety Assessment division, focusing on global strategy and operations General Manager or CEO positions at competing CRO organizations, leveraging the comprehensive operational and business development experience gained at Charles River Executive leadership roles in pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, particularly in preclinical development, regulatory affairs, or operations where CRO experience provides valuable industry perspective

Company Overview

Charles River Laboratories

Charles River Laboratories stands as a global leader in the Contract Research Organization sector with over 75 years of established expertise in drug discovery, development, and manufacturing support services. The company maintains a comprehensive portfolio spanning from early-stage research through preclinical development, with particular strength in safety assessment services and regulatory expertise.

Charles River holds a dominant position in the preclinical CRO market, contributing to approximately 85% of FDA-approved drugs in 2021. The company's scale, with over 20,000 employees across 90 sites in 20 countries, provides competitive advantages in resource coordination, expertise sharing, and global regulatory knowledge that smaller competitors cannot match.
The Évreux site represents a strategic European hub for Charles River's Discovery and Safety Assessment operations, serving both local French pharmaceutical companies and international clients requiring European regulatory expertise. The location provides access to European talent pools while maintaining proximity to major pharmaceutical centers and regulatory agencies.
Charles River emphasizes scientific excellence combined with collaborative teamwork, operating in a mission-driven environment focused on improving global health outcomes. The company culture values diversity and inclusion, professional development, and maintains high ethical standards required for regulatory compliance and client trust in the pharmaceutical research environment.
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