Senior Director, Clinical Science, Thoracic Oncology (Hybrid)

MSD • Boston, MA

1d • $210,400 - $331,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Thoracic 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 by applying deep therapeutic expertise and promoting consistent scientific standards, medical data review practices, and decision-making across the portfolio.

The role applies deep knowledge of Thoracic Oncology, including disease biology, current and emerging treatment landscapes, clinically relevant endpoints, and scientific considerations that influence development strategy and study design. It partners with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional development teams to support study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and broader program decisions.

The Senior Director shapes Clinical Science practices across the portfolio by standardizing approaches, aligning scientific work, and integrating insights across assets. The position may directly manage and develop multiple Clinical Scientists and provides leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment. It collaborates with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partners, and contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews.

The position is based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and 10% travel. The role has a stated base salary range of $210,400 to $331,100 for the primary location and is eligible 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 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.
• Demonstrated experience providing Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, or assets.
• Deep therapeutic area expertise, including understanding 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.
• Demonstrated scientific and strategic judgment, collaboration, clear communication, accountability, and ability to lead through influence in a matrix environment.

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, and issue resolution; integrate scientific insights across studies and assets.
• Lead standardization of Clinical Science approaches, including medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, deliverables, and portfolio-wide standards while accommodating program-specific needs.
• Promote alignment on disease area considerations such as endpoint interpretation, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
• Advocate for innovative approaches, including visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
• Provide senior scientific guidance and interpret clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and program implications.
• Identify and appropriately frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
• Contribute scientific input to protocols, 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 across study teams and partner functions.
• Contribute to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, senior leadership meetings, program reviews, and senior management communications; present cross-study insights and scientific assessments 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 role expectations and ways of working.
• Foster accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
• Partner with cross-functional functions, represent Clinical Science in planning and strategic decision-making forums, and facilitate alignment across studies, programs, and functions.
• Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures; 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, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and family
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days
• Annual bonus eligibility
• Long-term incentive, if applicable

What This Job Offers

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