Senior Director, Clinical Science, Atherosclerosis

MSD•Boston, MA

6d•$210,400 - $331,100

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Atherosclerosis 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 by applying deep therapeutic expertise, guiding Clinical Science approaches, and promoting consistent scientific standards, medical data review practices, and decision-making across the portfolio. The role partners 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. It shapes Clinical Science practices across the Atherosclerosis portfolio by standardizing approaches, aligning scientific methods, 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. The Senior Director collaborates with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partners. The role also contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews, and ensures Clinical Science activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures. The position is based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with 25% travel. The role has a day shift, domestic relocation is available, and visa sponsorship is not available. The salary range for the primary location is $210,400–$331,100, with eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. Employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, and other insurance; retirement benefits, including a 401(k); paid holidays; vacation; and compassionate and sick days.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (for example, PhD or PharmD), or equivalent, with 8 or more years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience; alternatively, a preferably life-sciences Master’s degree with 12 or more years of such experience; or a preferably life-sciences Bachelor’s degree 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 expertise in Atherosclerosis, including disease biology, the 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 and 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.
Ability to set direction aligned with organizational priorities, exercise sound scientific and strategic judgment, build collaborative relationships, and lead through influence.
Ability to encourage inclusion, accountability, continuous improvement, learning, and high standards while balancing enterprise thinking with practical and timely decisions.
Required skills listed: Atherosclerosis, Clinical Development, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Data Quality, Ethical Standards, High Performance Team Building, Matrix Leadership, Matrix Management, Medical Monitoring, New Technology Integration, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Compliance, Therapeutic Knowledge, and Trial Design.

Nice To Haves

Preferred skills listed: Data Interpretations, Next Generation Science Standards, and Study Design.

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 the implications 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 broader program and disease area objectives.
Apply therapeutic expertise in disease biology, the treatment landscape, and clinically meaningful endpoints to inform study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to inform development decisions.
Lead standardization of Clinical Science approaches, including medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, and key deliverables.
Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work while accounting for program-specific needs.
Promote alignment across assets on endpoint interpretation, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and program implications.
Identify and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues 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 resource for the disease area or therapeutic focus across study teams and partner functions.
Contribute Clinical Science perspectives to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, and senior leadership meetings.
Prepare and present clinical and scientific content, cross-study insights, assessments, and key issues for governance bodies, program reviews, and senior management.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Manage and develop Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists, as appropriate, setting expectations for scientific quality, strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication.
Coach, mentor, and provide feedback to Clinical Science staff; 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, facilitating 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.
Identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality, consistency, and effectiveness, and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.