Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gynecologic Oncology (Hybrid)

MSD • Rahway, NJ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gynecologic Oncology provides strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role contributes to disease area strategy and development planning by applying deep expertise in gynecologic cancers, including disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinically relevant endpoints, and scientific considerations affecting study design and development strategy.

The Senior Director works closely with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional partners to support study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and program decisions. The role shapes Clinical Science practices across the portfolio by promoting standardized approaches, consistent scientific standards, and integration of insights across assets. It may include direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists, with 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 contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews, supports inspection readiness and compliance, and identifies opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality and effectiveness. The role is hybrid, with the primary location in Rahway, New Jersey, and requires 10% travel.

Requirements

• An 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; OR 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.
• 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, 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.
• Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Trial Planning, Functional Leadership, Oncology, People Leadership, Scientific Literacy, and Therapeutic Knowledge.

Nice To Haves

• Cross-Functional Teamwork
• Decision Making
• Development Strategy

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets in the disease area.
• Contribute scientific input to disease area strategy, development opportunities, 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 disease 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, medical data review practices, interpretation principles, and key deliverables where appropriate.
• Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work across the portfolio.
• Promote alignment on disease area considerations, including endpoint interpretation, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
• Advocate for innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
• Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets, and help frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
• Contribute scientific perspective to protocol development and amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and 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; prepare and present clinical and 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 and promote consistent ways of working.
• Foster accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
• Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning, program discussions, and strategic decision-making forums, facilitating alignment and clear communication.
• Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures, and support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality, consistency, and effectiveness, and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employees and their families.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days.
• Eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior