Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gynecologic Oncology (Hybrid)

MSD • Boston, MA

1d • $210,400 - $331,100 • 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, development planning, scientific standards, medical data review practices, and portfolio decision-making. It requires deep expertise in gynecologic cancers, including disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinical endpoints, and scientific considerations that affect development strategy and study design.

The Senior Director works 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 standardization, scientific consistency, and integration of insights across assets. It may include direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists, with responsibility for 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. Clinical Science activities must comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures; the role supports inspection readiness and continuous improvement.

The position is hybrid, based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with 10% travel. The role is regular employment. The listed salary range for the primary location is $210,400–$331,100, with eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

• 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; alternatively, a master’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 12+ years; or a bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 15+ years.
• 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 the therapeutic area, including 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, including management, coaching, and development of scientific staff.
• Required skills listed: 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

• Master’s degree preferably in life sciences (for the applicable education pathway).
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in life sciences (for the applicable education pathway).
• Preferred skills listed: Cross-Functional Teamwork, Decision Making, and Development Strategy.

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, portfolio risks, and interpretation of emerging internal and external 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 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 where appropriate.
• Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work across the portfolio.
• Promote alignment on disease area considerations, including endpoints, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
• Advocate for approaches and technologies such as visual analytics, centralized data review, and AI-enabled workflows to improve quality and efficiency.
• Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets, identifying trends, opportunities, risks, and program implications.
• Identify and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
• Contribute scientific input 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 as appropriate.
• Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
• Directly manage Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists as appropriate; set expectations for scientific quality, strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Clinical Science staff and promote consistent role expectations and 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.
• Facilitate alignment across studies, programs, and functions and communicate clinical and scientific issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures; support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of Clinical Science work, and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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