Senior Director, Clinical Science, Oncology Early Development (Hybrid)

MSD•Rahway, NJ

13d•$210,400 - $331,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Oncology Early Development provides strategic Clinical Science leadership for novel oncology assets from candidate transition through first-in-human development and clinical proof-of-concept. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role applies expertise in early-phase oncology, translational medicine, biomarker strategy, and first-in-human trial design to shape development plans, strengthen scientific rigor, and support objective, data-driven decisions across the early oncology portfolio. The Senior Director integrates clinical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, biomarker, safety, and external scientific evidence to inform indication strategy, dose escalation and optimization, cohort expansion, and proof-of-concept assessments. The role works closely with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Early Program Development Team Leads, study teams, and cross-functional leaders to guide study design, data interpretation, issue resolution, and program decisions. It also helps shape Clinical Science practices across the portfolio through standardization, alignment of scientific approaches, and integration of insights across assets. The position may include direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists, as well as leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment. It collaborates closely with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partner functions, and contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews. The role is based in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and travel listed as 10%. The position is regular, with no relocation offered and no visa sponsorship. The posted base salary range for the primary location is $210,400 to $331,100. The successful candidate is eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits; retirement benefits including a 401(k); paid holidays; vacation; and compassionate and sick days.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD), or equivalent, with 8 or more years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience preferred; alternatively, 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, including substantial early-phase development responsibility.
Demonstrated leadership of first-in-human and early-phase oncology studies, including dose escalation, dose optimization, cohort expansion, and proof-of-concept planning.
Deep understanding of oncology disease biology, novel mechanisms and modalities, translational medicine, biomarker-driven development, PK/PD, and safety and tolerability assessment.
Strong understanding of clinical trial design, clinical development strategy, clinical data review, and interpretation of oncology data.
Experience contributing to protocols, regulatory submissions, safety reviews, health authority interactions, governance discussions, and cross-program planning.
Experience working effectively in cross-functional teams within a matrixed environment.
Demonstrated ability to integrate information across studies and programs to support scientific and business decision-making.
Excellent communication, influence, and executive presentation skills.
Demonstrated people leadership experience, including management, coaching, and development of scientific staff.
Ability to set clear direction, exercise scientific and strategic judgment in complex and ambiguous situations, build collaborative relationships, and lead through influence.
Ability to foster inclusion, accountability, high quality and performance standards, continuous improvement, learning, and thoughtful challenge.

Nice To Haves

Preferred skills include cross-functional teamwork, decision making, and leadership.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple Oncology Early Development studies, programs, and assets.
Contribute Clinical Science input to early clinical development strategy from candidate transition through first-in-human evaluation and clinical proof-of-concept.
Partner with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Early Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional leaders to align Clinical Science activities with program and disease-area objectives.
Integrate disease biology, mechanism of action, translational evidence, competitive landscape, and emerging internal and external data to identify opportunities, risks, and key decision points.
Connect insights across studies and assets to inform portfolio decisions and future development.
Establish and advance consistent standards for early development planning, medical data review, dose-escalation meetings, data interpretation, and key deliverables.
Promote scientific consistency while accounting for asset-specific biology, modality, and development questions.
Identify and implement improvements to decision quality, operational efficiency, documentation, and inspection readiness.
Maintain awareness of emerging oncology science, early development methodologies, regulatory expectations, and external innovations relevant to the portfolio.
Advocate for visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
Provide senior scientific guidance across assigned studies and programs and guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets.
Identify and evaluate clinical, scientific, and data-related issues and help frame them for cross-functional and governance discussions.
Contribute scientific perspective to protocol development and amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and other development planning.
Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter expert for Oncology Early Development across study teams and partner functions.
Contribute Clinical Science expertise to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, and senior leadership meetings.
Develop clinical and scientific content for governance discussions, program reviews, and senior management communications; present cross-study insights and assessments as appropriate.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Provide direct management for Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists, as appropriate.
Set expectations for scientific quality, strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication; coach, mentor, and develop Clinical Science talent.
Promote consistent role expectations and ways of working, and foster accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and high performance.
Partner with cross-functional groups including Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, and Medical Affairs.
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 teams.
Ensure Clinical Science activities follow applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures.
Support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation of Clinical Science contributions.
Identify opportunities to improve the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of Clinical Science work across the disease area.
Maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments to inform disease-area strategy and Clinical Science practices.