Senior Director, Integrated Product Medical Lead

Bayer•Cambridge, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Integrated Product Medical Lead (IPML) plays a pivotal role in advancing the Oncology Early Development portfolio, driving the successful progression of global development programs and expansion of the pipeline. The IPML defines the vision and strategic direction for assigned programs and leads the development of medically and clinically robust, end-to-end product strategies. This encompasses a broad range of modalities, biologics, and indications across the full value chain—from pre–first-in-human development through proof of concept and handover to late-stage drug development for pivotal study execution. Working in close partnership with cross-functional Integrated Product Team members, the IPML develops and executes the overall clinical strategy for one or more global development programs on behalf of Early Clinical Development Oncology. The role provides clinical and scientific leadership, with clear decision-making accountability within its sphere of influence. A central responsibility is the creation and ongoing refinement of the target product profile and target value profile, ensuring that development programs are positioned to maximize clinical success and product value. Beginning in preclinical development, the IPML drives the scientific rationale, differentiation, and value proposition of Oncology assets by integrating the molecule’s scientific hypothesis with the current and anticipated standard of care within the relevant therapeutic area. The IPML also co-leads the successful integration of novel assets into the pipeline by supporting both internal innovation activities—such as target identification—and external innovation efforts, including due diligence assessments. Beyond program leadership, every IPML contributes to functional excellence within Early Clinical Development Oncology. This includes advancing core project, people, and innovative clinical-development initiatives in a peer-reviewed environment, while helping to shape the future of drug development through close collaboration with internal and external scientific partners.

Requirements

M.D. with board certification within oncology/hematology or associated subspecialties
Scientific excellence: Demonstrated by a track record of relevant basic and/or translational research documented in peer reviewed publications
Outstanding drug development expertise: Knowledge of the whole R&D process and the key drivers for success as well as strong understanding of the elements of drug development programs
Experience in different drug development stages
Has the ability to independently develop a sound (medical) strategy and may teach others to do so
Expertise across different biologies and modalities including small and large molecules
Relevant global health authority interactions and current knowledge of regulatory review and responses
Exposure to and understanding of commercial considerations in relation to drug development
Sets the right priorities, seizes strategic opportunities, and adheres to high standards
Shows excellent communication and leadership skills, coupled with strategic thinking as well as good business and external trends insights
Focuses on outcomes - defines and proactively delivers on high pipeline, team, talent and organizational impact outcomes
Acts, learns fast and evolves: works in 90-days cycles, applies learnings and continually develops
Co-creates for customers: remains close to the customer - develops and co-creates solutions for their needs
High energy with focus and vision; self-motivated with a high sense of ownership, urgency, proactive and solution-oriented, flexible entrepreneurial and open-minded approach to new and creative ideas.

Nice To Haves

3-5 years of drug development experience with at least 2+ years of expertise in early drug development
5+ years in direct patient care and board certification within oncology/hematology or associated subspecialties.

Responsibilities

Acts as the clinical leader and primary clinical representative for the global program(s) assigned to him/her and represents them both, internally and externally facing.
Ensures consistent high quality and speed of functional deliverables to drive sustained value creation for patients and the business and ensures an “end-to-end” clinical vision and strategy for the respective asset is defined.
Pushes the boundaries of early drug development to accelerate and improve decision making, while continuously implementing the patient’s perspective and always ensuring patient’s safety and benefit.
Develops a clinical vision if and how a molecule can address an unmet medical need considering the molecule’s scientific hypothesis and the current and future treatment landscape.
Designs a clinical strategy to guide preclinical and clinical development enabling early and definitive decision-making.
Plans and executes clinical trials focusing on patient centricity, urgency and speed ensuring patients benefit at any point in time during trial conduct and enabling the collection of all relevant information for further seamless clinical development.
Is responsible for study medical/safety aspects and risk-benefit assessments supported by Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Science.
Is accountable for the timely delivery of milestones, mitigates roadblocks and is empowered to take decisions to effectively execute on the clinical strategy.
Supports the preclinical evaluation and validation of new oncology assets in line with the overarching RED ONC strategy focusing on value, differentiation, and unmet medical need (e.g., through interacting with BD&L, LEAPS, Collaboration to Cure Hubs, CoLab incubator).
Identifies new opportunities for collaboration and manages excellent relationships with new and existing partners, both within as well as outside of Bayer, to drive clinical excellence.
Can lead and drive ECDO-initiated (cross-)functional strategic initiatives in support of the overall ECDO, RED-ONC, Oncology and/or Bayer strategy; can act as a representative of ECDO in other cross-functional activities and workstreams where required.
When required, can deputize for the Head of ECDO and act as ECDO representative in Bayer internal governance bodies.
Independently leads self-empowered matrix teams in-line with Bayer’s VACC leadership standards by enabling, empowering, and supporting colleagues in a high-performance environment under a culture of psychological safety.
Takes accountability for the respective team outcomes and promotes a creative and innovation-friendly collaboration between clinicians and scientists.
Takes ownership for the entire ECDO team, fosters a culture of ownership in support of the strategy and in line with Bayer’s values; empowers others and drives peer accountability across portfolio deliverables and beyond.
Evolves ECDO’s unique value contribution and thereby drives the development of a productive and fulfilled workforce by embracing a culture of creativity and innovation, while ensuring that capabilities are available and actively evolving accountability across portfolio deliverables and beyond.