Senior Director, Clinical Science, Gynecologic Oncology (Hybrid)

Merck•Boston, MA

6d•$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, and contributes to disease area strategy, development planning, scientific standards, medical data review practices, and portfolio decision-making. The role requires deep knowledge of gynecologic cancers, including disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinically meaningful endpoints, and scientific considerations that influence development strategy and study design. The Senior Director works closely 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 portfolio by standardizing approaches, aligning scientific work, and integrating 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 partners. It contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews, supports regulatory-compliant and inspection-ready work, and identifies opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality and effectiveness. The role 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), or equivalent, 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 therapeutic expertise, including knowledge of disease biology, current and emerging treatment landscapes, 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.
Required skills include 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

Preferred skills include 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 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.
Standardize Clinical Science approaches, medical data review practices, interpretation principles, deliverables, and leading practices across the disease area.
Promote alignment on disease area considerations, including endpoints, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other approaches or technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets, and identify and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related 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 Clinical Science perspectives and prepare scientific content for portfolio discussions, governance reviews, program reviews, senior leadership meetings, and management communications.
Present cross-study insights, scientific assessments, and key issues to leaders and governance bodies, 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, communication, and consistent ways of working.
Foster accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
Partner with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other functions.
Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning and strategic decision-making, and facilitate alignment across studies, programs, and functions.
Ensure Clinical Science activities follow applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures.
Support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation of Clinical Science contributions.
Monitor relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments and identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science work.