Executive Director, Clinical Science, Immunology

MSD•Boston, MA

1d•$255,800 - $402,700•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Clinical Science is a senior leader in Non-Oncology Clinical Development who provides strategic, scientific, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of immunology programs at multiple stages of development. Reporting to the Head of Clinical Science Non-Oncology, the role is a member of the Clinical Science Leadership Team and helps shape the strategic direction, operational effectiveness, and long-term growth of the Clinical Science organization. The Executive Director leads a large organization of Clinical Scientists and is accountable for portfolio delivery, organizational performance, talent development, capability building, and continuous improvement. The role ensures scientific rigor, patient focus, quality, and regulatory readiness across Clinical Science activities, while promoting consistent practices and excellence. The role advances modern ways of working through digital capabilities, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches to improve decision-making, efficiency, and study oversight. It fosters learning, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement, and develops future leaders and organizational capabilities. Success requires enterprise leadership and collaboration across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partner functions. The position is listed as hybrid, with the primary location in Rahway, New Jersey. Domestic relocation is listed, and travel requirements are 25%.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree, such as a PhD or PharmD, with at least 10 years of drug development experience; or a master's degree, preferably in a life sciences-related field, with at least 15 years of drug development experience.
Significant drug development experience with demonstrated success across multiple phases of clinical development.
Deep expertise in Clinical Science, Clinical Development, and execution of global clinical programs.
Experience supporting regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and late-stage development activities.
Proven leadership experience managing in large, matrixed organizations through multiple levels of management.
Demonstrated success developing talent, building leadership capability, and creating high-performing teams.
Ability to develop long-range strategies, assess options and decision criteria, and select approaches considering factors such as costs, benefits, risks, timing, and buy-in.
Ability to identify key tasks and resources needed to achieve strategic objectives.
Ability to work across organizational boundaries and form or adjust partnerships to achieve broader goals.
Ability to establish role clarity, accountability, direction, and authority for those implementing strategic initiatives.
Ability to support employee development by removing barriers, providing guidance, advocating for development opportunities, and collaboratively creating development plans.
Ability to lead organizational change, address cultural and operational barriers, and support implementation.
Required skills include advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, Clinical Development, Clinical Sciences, cross-functional leadership, drug development, executive leadership, global clinical studies, immunology, innovation, matrix leadership, regulatory submissions, strategic leadership, and talent development.

Nice To Haves

Experience in immunology development is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with, or interest in, emerging AI, advanced analytics, and digital capabilities applicable to clinical development.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of immunology assets across multiple stages of development.
Be accountable for portfolio delivery from the Clinical Science perspective, including prioritization, resource alignment, and support for key development milestones.
Partner with the Immunology Therapeutic Area Head and leaders across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, and Medical Affairs to execute development strategy and deliver portfolio milestones.
Ensure Clinical Science contributions support development plans, regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and lifecycle management activities.
Apply Clinical Science expertise to inform therapeutic area and portfolio strategy in light of evolving science, treatment trends, the competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations.
Optimize Clinical Science resource and budget allocation across the portfolio to align with business priorities and organizational objectives.
Serve as a senior escalation point for scientific and resource-related issues.
Establish high standards for scientific rigor, Clinical Science quality, medical data review, study oversight, and regulatory readiness.
Drive consistency in Clinical Science practices, study execution, and data interpretation across therapeutic areas and development programs.
Promote proactive risk identification, mitigation, inspection readiness, and continuous quality improvement.
Advance approaches to medical data review, signal detection, study oversight, and evidence-based decision-making.
Champion AI-enabled, digital, and technology-driven capabilities that improve Clinical Science productivity, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Identify opportunities to use advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital solutions to improve decision-making, study oversight, and workflows.
Modernize clinical data review to enhance insight generation and support timely, informed decisions.
Promote innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, and responsible implementation of emerging technologies.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define, develop, and implement scalable capabilities for future organizational needs and long-term business success.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Clinical Science organization.
Build organizational capability through talent planning, succession management, leadership development, and career growth strategies.
Create an inclusive environment that promotes engagement, psychological safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
Mentor Clinical Scientists and develop scientific, strategic, and leadership capabilities across the organization.
Ensure leaders provide effective coaching, feedback, performance development, and career support.
Contribute to Clinical Science strategy, priorities, and long-term organizational objectives.
Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and resource optimization initiatives to address portfolio and business needs.
Develop scalable operating models that balance portfolio execution, organizational effectiveness, employee development, and talent retention.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and organizational health.
Represent Clinical Science in governance forums, leadership discussions, and strategic planning activities.
Shape functional and enterprise priorities through leadership engagement, cross-functional partnerships, and influence across organizational boundaries.