Senior Director, Clinical Science, Genitourinary (GU) Oncology (Hybrid)

MSD•Rahway, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Genitourinary (GU) 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 knowledge of GU cancers, disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinical endpoints, and scientific considerations relevant to development strategy and study design. The Senior Director 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. The role shapes Clinical Science practices across the GU cancer portfolio by promoting consistent scientific standards, medical data review, and integration of insights across assets. It may include direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists, as well as leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment. The position collaborates with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other functions. It also contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews. The role is based in Rahway, New Jersey, with hybrid work arrangements and 10% travel. Relocation is not offered, and visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

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 therapeutic area expertise, including understanding of 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 in 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.
One of the following education and experience pathways: advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD or PharmD), or equivalent, with 8+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience preferred; a master's degree, preferably in life sciences, with 12+ years of such experience; or a bachelor's degree, preferably in life sciences, with 15+ years of such experience.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience.
Oncology trials experience.
People management experience.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets in 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 therapeutic expertise to inform study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and development decisions.
Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to inform development decisions.
Lead standardization of Clinical Science approaches, 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 across assets on endpoints, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other approaches that improve quality and efficiency.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets and help frame important issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
Contribute scientific perspective to protocols, amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and other development planning.
Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter resource for the disease area or therapeutic focus.
Contribute to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, and senior leadership meetings, and prepare and present scientific content and cross-study insights as appropriate.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Manage, coach, mentor, and develop Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists as appropriate.
Set expectations for scientific quality, strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication, and foster accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and team performance.
Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning and strategic decision-making forums and facilitate alignment across functions, programs, and studies.
Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures; support inspection readiness and documentation as applicable.
Identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality, consistency, and effectiveness, and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.