Associate Director, Therapeutic Development

McKesson•Work at Home - Tennessee, USA (WTNA), TN

1d•Remote

About The Position

Provide scientific leadership and operational oversight for early-phase Therapeutic Development programs. This role manages Clinical Program Scientists and is responsible for driving program execution, ensuring scientific rigor, and supporting the development and advancement of research strategies aligned to SCRI research priorities. This position operates as a working manager, balancing people leadership, scientific direction, and program execution in support of early-phase clinical research.

Requirements

Master's Degree required; PhD preferred
7+ years of experience working in a scientific capacity within clinical research
People leadership and team development experience required
Strong understanding of oncology drug development, particularly early-phase trials
Knowledge of clinical research processes (Phase I–III), with emphasis on study design and feasibility
Ability to interpret and apply scientific literature to program strategy
Strategic thinking with operational follow-through
Strong communication and stakeholder management
Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment
Balance scientific rigor with execution needs
Influence without direct authority across functions
Adapt quickly to evolving program priorities
Practices and adheres to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement.”
Expected to complete any training assignments by the due date.

Nice To Haves

PhD preferred

Responsibilities

Provide oversight and direction for Therapeutic Development programs, with a focus on early-phase (Phase I/Ib) clinical research initiatives
Guide scientific strategy in partnership with Physician Leaders, ensuring programs align with disease strategy and pipeline priorities
Review and provide input on: Clinical development plans (CDPs), Study feasibility and evaluation, Protocol-related scientific considerations
Lead program-level discussions and contribute to decision-making across study prioritization, pipeline gaps, and research opportunities
Directly manage and develop a team of Clinical Program Scientists (CPS)
Provide coaching, prioritization guidance, and performance management
Ensure appropriate workload distribution across programs and initiatives
Partner with leadership on hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of CPS team members
Serve as the primary escalation point for scientific/program-related challenges
Oversee execution of key program activities led by CPS team, including: Study evaluation workflows and tracking, Scientific materials (slide decks, summaries, literature reviews)
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across all scientific deliverables
Identify gaps in processes and implement improvements to optimize efficiency and program outcomes
Partner with Clinical Operations, Lead Management/Study Activation, Business Development / Sponsors, Physician Program Leaders, Development Innovations
Facilitate communication across stakeholders to ensure alignment on program goals and study priorities
Represent Therapeutic Development in internal and external discussions as needed
Support development of early-phase pipeline strategy and trial positioning
Contribute to internal planning discussions related to: Site capabilities, Study gaps and opportunities, Competitive landscape
Provide updates to leadership on program progress, risks, and performance