Director of Scientific Affairs, COP

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #169719 - New York, New York, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals (COP), a division of Colgate-Palmolive Company, is dedicated to advancing oral health through innovative, evidence-based professional products and educational initiatives. We collaborate closely with dental professionals worldwide to provide solutions that address a wide range of oral health needs.

The Director of Scientific Affairs for Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals is a pivotal role responsible for leading and executing the scientific strategy to support product development, marketing, and commercialization efforts in the U.S. and Canada. This individual will serve as a key scientific expert, fostering strong relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), professional associations, dental and hygiene schools, and the broader dental scientific community. The Director will translate complex scientific data into clear, compelling messages for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the scientific integrity and credibility of COP's product portfolio. This role also involves leading and mentoring a team of scientific affairs professionals and overseeing strategic outreach to dental and hygiene students and faculty.

Key Responsibilities:

• Scientific Strategy & Leadership:

  • Develop and implement scientific affairs strategies aligned with business objectives and product pipelines for COP

  • Provide scientific leadership and guidance across cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Customer Development, Legal, & Regulatory

  • Identify emerging trends in oral health science and competitive landscapes to inform strategic planning

  • Develop and manage annual budget in support of key initiatives

• Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Engagement & Advocacy:

  • Build and maintain strong, credible relationships with dental KOLs, researchers, and professional associations in the U.S. and Canada

  • Collaborate with KOLs on research initiatives, publications, educational programs, and product advocacy

  • Represent COP at scientific conferences, symposia, and professional meetings, delivering presentations and engaging with the scientific community

• Scientific Communication & Education:

  • Oversee the development and review of scientific and clinical materials for internal training and external communication (e.g., promotional materials, sales aids, educational modules, white papers, publications)

  • Translate complex scientific and clinical data into clear, concise, and impactful messages for diverse audiences

  • Ensure all scientific claims are substantiated, accurate, and compliant with regulatory guidelines

• Academic and Student Outreach:

  • Lead the development and execution of scientific outreach programs for dental and hygiene students, residents, and faculty at academic institutions.

  • Foster relationships with dental and hygiene school deans, program directors, and key faculty to integrate COP's scientific messages and educational resources into their curricula.

  • Oversee sales and customer service for Academic channel.

• Clinical Research Support:

  • Collaborate with R&D and Clinical Affairs teams on the design, execution, and interpretation of clinical studies

  • Provide scientific input for clinical trial protocols, data analysis, and publication strategies

• Team Leadership & Development:

  • Manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientific affairs professionals, fostering a high-performance and collaborative environment.

  • Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support career growth for team members.

  • Oversee team projects and ensure alignment with overall scientific affairs strategies.

Required Qualifications:

• DDS, DMD, or PhD.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in scientific affairs, medical affairs, or a related scientific role within the pharmaceutical, medical device, or consumer healthcare industry.

• Minimum of 5 years of coaching and developing a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Business, or a related field.

• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and ability to connect scientific insights to business opportunities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience in scientific writing, publication strategy, and presentation development.

• Strong presentation skills with experience presenting to large scientific and professional groups.

• Prior experience in clinical research.

• Digital proficiency and experience within the health and pharma space.

• Business partnership experience working with senior business leaders to influence strategy and business decision making.

• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.

What We Offer:

• A challenging and rewarding role within a leading global consumer products company.

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on global oral health.

• Collaborative and dynamic work environment.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Colgate-Palmolive is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $175,000.00 - $200,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here .

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