Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology (Hybrid)

Merck•Boston, MA

6d•$210,400 - $331,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology provides strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role contributes to disease area strategy and development planning, applying deep expertise in GI cancers to guide scientific approaches and promote consistent standards, medical data review practices, and decision-making across the portfolio. The position partners with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional development teams to support study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and program decisions. It shapes Clinical Science practices across the GI cancers portfolio by advancing standardization, scientific alignment, and integration of insights across assets. The role may directly manage multiple Clinical Scientists and provides leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment. The Senior Director collaborates with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partners. The role also contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews, supports compliance and inspection readiness, and identifies ways to improve the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of Clinical Science work. The position is hybrid, based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with 10% travel and no relocation offered.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD or PharmD) with 8 or more years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience; OR a master’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 12 or more years of such experience; OR a bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 15 or more years of such experience.
Significant experience in Clinical Development, Clinical Science, clinical drug development, or a related function in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Demonstrated Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, or assets.
Deep expertise in GI cancers, including disease biology, the current and emerging treatment landscape, clinically relevant endpoints, and scientific considerations affecting development.
Strong understanding of clinical trial design, clinical development strategy, clinical data review, and interpretation of oncology data.
Experience contributing to disease area strategy, portfolio discussions, or cross-program planning.
Experience contributing to regulatory submissions, safety reviews, or health authority interactions.
Experience working effectively in cross-functional teams within a matrix environment.
Ability to integrate information across studies and programs to support scientific and business decisions.
Excellent communication, influence, and executive presentation skills.
Demonstrated people leadership experience, including management, coaching, and development of scientific staff.
Required skills include Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Trial Planning, Life Science, Matrix Management, Oncology, People Leadership, Study Design, Therapeutic Knowledge, and Trial Design.

Nice To Haves

Preferred skills include Cross-Functional Teamwork, Development Strategy, and Functional Leadership.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets within the disease area.
Contribute Clinical Science input to disease area strategy, development opportunities, scientific considerations, portfolio risks, and implications of emerging data.
Partner with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional leaders to align Clinical Science activities with program and disease area objectives.
Apply expertise in GI cancer biology, treatment landscape, and clinically meaningful endpoints to study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to inform development decisions.
Standardize Clinical Science approaches, including medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, and key deliverables.
Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work across the portfolio.
Promote alignment on endpoint interpretation, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, and AI-enabled workflows.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets, identifying trends, opportunities, risks, and program implications.
Contribute scientific perspective to protocols, amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and development planning.
Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter resource for the disease area across study teams and partner functions.
Contribute Clinical Science perspectives to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, and senior leadership meetings.
Prepare and present clinical and scientific content, cross-study insights, assessments, and key issues for governance bodies and leadership.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Directly manage Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists, as appropriate; set expectations and support talent development through coaching, mentoring, and feedback.
Promote accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning, program discussions, and strategic decision-making forums; facilitate alignment across studies, programs, and functions.
Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures; support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
Monitor relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments and identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science work.