Senior Director, Clinical Science, Genitourinary (GU) Oncology (Hybrid)

MSD • Boston, MA

3d • $210,400 - $331,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Genitourinary (GU) Oncology 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 and promoting consistency in scientific standards, medical data review, and portfolio decision-making.

The position partners with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional colleagues to support study planning, interpretation of data, issue resolution, and broader program decisions. It helps shape Clinical Science practices across the GU cancers portfolio by standardizing approaches, aligning scientific strategies, and integrating insights across assets. The role may directly manage and develop multiple Clinical Scientists, providing leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment.

The Senior Director works closely with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partner functions. The role also contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews, maintains compliance with applicable requirements and company procedures, supports inspection readiness, and identifies opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality and effectiveness.

The position requires significant experience in clinical development, clinical science, clinical drug development, or a related pharmaceutical or biotechnology function; demonstrated leadership across multiple studies, programs, or assets; deep therapeutic expertise; and demonstrated people leadership. Education and experience pathways include an advanced scientific or healthcare degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, a master's degree with 12+ years, or a bachelor's degree with 15+ years. The position is hybrid, based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with 10% travel. The salary range for the primary location is $210,400 to $331,100, and the successful candidate is eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

• 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 understanding of 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.
• One of the stated education and experience pathways: advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD or PharmD) or equivalent with 8+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience; master's degree, preferably in life sciences, with 12+ years; or bachelor's degree, preferably in life sciences, with 15+ years.
• Required skills: Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Trial Planning, Oncology, People Leadership, Study Design, Therapeutic Knowledge, and Trial Design.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred skills: Leadership, Oncology Trials, and People Management.

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 assessment 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 expertise in GU cancer biology, treatment landscape, and clinically meaningful endpoints to study planning, data interpretation, and issue resolution.
• Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to inform development decisions.
• Standardize Clinical Science approaches, medical data review practices, interpretation principles, and key deliverables across the disease area.
• Establish and maintain standards and leading practices while accommodating program-specific needs.
• Promote alignment across assets on disease area considerations, endpoints, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
• Advocate for visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other approaches 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 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 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 scientific content, assessments, and issues as appropriate.
• Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
• Manage Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists as appropriate; set expectations and provide coaching, mentoring, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Promote accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
• Partner with and represent Clinical Science among cross-functional functions and forums; facilitate alignment and clear communication of scientific issues.
• Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with regulatory requirements, company policies, and procedures, and support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
• Monitor scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments and identify improvements to Clinical Science quality, consistency, and effectiveness.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days.
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

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