Senior Director, Clinical Science, Vaccines, Hybrid

MSD•Boston, MA

7d•$210,400 - $331,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Vaccines 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, applying deep expertise in vaccines, disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinical endpoints, and scientific considerations relevant to development strategy and study design. The position partners with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional colleagues to support study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and program decisions. The role shapes Clinical Science practices across the vaccine portfolio by promoting standardized approaches, consistent scientific standards, and integrated insights across assets. It may directly manage and develop multiple Clinical Scientists and includes providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, and direction in a matrix environment. The Senior Director collaborates 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 position supports portfolio and governance decisions, clinical and scientific communications, protocol and study-design planning, and cross-functional alignment. It also promotes innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency. Clinical Science work must comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures, with support for inspection readiness and appropriate documentation. The role is based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and 25% travel. The posted base salary range for the primary location is $210,400–$331,100. The employee is eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and family, retirement benefits including a 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. Domestic relocation is listed; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree, such as a PhD or PharmD, or equivalent, and 8 or more years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience; alternatively, a master’s degree (preferably in life sciences) and 12 or more years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree (preferably in life sciences) and 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-area expertise, 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 experience, including management, coaching, and development of scientific staff.
Ability to set direction aligned with organizational priorities and exercise scientific and strategic judgment in complex situations.
Ability to build collaborative relationships, lead through influence, and align teams around shared goals.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members, cross-functional partners, and senior leaders; foster inclusion, accountability, high standards, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Data interpretation skills.
Study design experience.
Next Generation Science Standards.

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 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 vaccine and disease-area expertise to study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to inform development decisions.
Lead efforts to standardize Clinical Science approaches, medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, deliverables, and portfolio standards.
Promote consistency in Clinical Science work while accounting for program-specific needs.
Advocate for innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other quality- and efficiency-improving technologies.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets, and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
Contribute scientific perspectives to protocol development and 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 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 and support staff development through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and development opportunities.
Promote consistent role expectations, 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, program discussions, and strategic decision-making forums; facilitate alignment and clear communication.
Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with 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.