Translational Medicine Affairs Lead

Pfizer • San Diego, CA

5d

About The Position

The Translational Medicine Affairs Lead (TM Affairs Lead) is responsible for the strategy, coordination, and execution of TM research collaborations, external scientific alliances, and internal scientific translation forums across Oncology Late-Stage Development (OLSD). Reporting to the Head of TM, this leader serves as a strategic bridge between Translational Medicine and global scientific stakeholders, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), clinical investigators, academic collaborators, and industry consortia. The TM Affairs Lead helps maximize the scientific impact of Pfizer’s Translational Medicine portfolio by managing external collaborations, investigator-initiated research (IIR), and key internal translation forums. The role leads reverse translation efforts across Oncology Clinical Development PODs, ensuring clinical trial insights inform discovery biology and future development strategy. The role also serves as a senior biomarker subject matter expert, supporting Disease Area Leads (DALs), Translational Medicine Leads (TMLs), governance forums, presentations, and publication planning to strengthen Pfizer’s scientific presence in oncology.

Requirements

• Ph.D., MD, or Pharm.D. in oncology, molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology, or a closely related biomedical science field required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in clinical development, translational medicine, medical affairs, or scientific alliance management in pharmaceutical, biotech, or academic research settings.
• Deep experience designing, negotiating, and managing external research collaborations, IIRs, or industry consortia.
• Direct experience with oncology clinical trial design, biomarkers, and molecular patient selection strategies.
• Proven track record leading scientific committees and coordinating complex oncology publication and presentation pipelines.
• Expert Scientific Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to engage global KOLs and scientific leaders.
• Matrix Leadership & Influence: Demonstrated ability to drive alignment across DAST, DALs, TMLS, Clinical Operations, and other cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Strategic Agility: Ability to translate biomarker data, technology insights, and reverse translation findings into actionable development recommendations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with ability to manage multiple external research projects, timelines, and budgets.
• This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a relevant field
• Experience working in a global or multinational organization
• Demonstrated success in driving business growth through strategic partnerships
• Deep knowledge of therapeutic areas relevant to Pfizer's portfolio
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• High level of emotional intelligence and adaptability
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities
• Experience using common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to support problem solving and enhance productivity.
• Demonstrated curiosity for exploring how these tools can improve outcomes and understanding of responsible AI practices, including risk management and ethical use
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global external engagement strategy with KOLs, academic investigators, and scientific advisors to advance TM research priorities.
• Oversee targeted investigator-initiated research (IIR) projects, ensuring study designs align with TM’s strategic questions.
• Represent Pfizer on joint steering committees for priority industry and academic consortia, maximizing the value and reuse of collaborative research platforms.
• Lead external technology sensing and scientific review of emerging translational tools, biomarker methods, and research platforms.
• Coordinate TM’s scientific presence, panels, and presentations at major oncology conferences.
• Champion reverse translation across Oncology Clinical Development PODs so clinical biomarker insights inform discovery and pipeline strategy.
• Serve as the scientific bridge to Disease Area Scientific Team (DAST) leadership, helping identify key questions and prioritize collaborative TM projects.
• Provide leadership for the Oncology Research Translational Scientific Committee (ORTSC) and Oncology Research Translational Forum (ORTF), ensuring governance, scientific rigor, and timely alignment across disciplines.
• Serve as a senior biomarker subject matter expert to support DALs and TMLS during asset strategy development.
• Coordinate and track TM abstracts, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications, ensuring alignment with Pfizer publication guidelines.
• Develop conference coverage plans, including colleague coverage, insight capture, and feedback loops into TM.
• Standardize scientific communication templates, briefing materials, and data-sharing frameworks for internal and external collaborators.
• Ensure scientific collaborations, IIR agreements, and data exchanges comply with Pfizer corporate standards, GxP guidelines, and QMS07.
• Maintain audit readiness for collaborative study protocols and publication records.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree