Executive Director, Clinical Development Lead

The Role
Moderna is seeking a senior level clinical development physician (M.D.) with deep oncology drug development experience in the biopharma industry to lead Clinical Development for one or more of our groundbreaking oncology development programs. This role will have direct medical responsibility for key clinical development programs, including creating overall clinical development plans, designing clinical studies, writing protocols, ensuring timely execution and medical monitoring, all in close collaboration with relevant internal and external pharmaceutical partners and Clinical Research Organizations.

The successful candidate will thrive in a proactive can-do culture and enjoy working across the full range of clinical development activities for new mRNA-based oncology drug candidates, in addition to being a highly effective internal and external thought leader, communicator, and collaborator.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Provide integrated and innovative clinical development strategy to support the creation and management of the Clinical Development Plan (CDP) for assets in development.
• Integrate scientific rationale, regulatory requirements, product development plan and commercial goals to optimize clinical study designs aligned with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and CDP.
• Generate the data and evidence required to determine a medicine’s potential efficacy, safety profile, key areas of product differentiation and value to patient in the shortest possible timeframe.
• Establish expeditious clinical development timelines, incorporating key decision points and Go/No Go criteria for the CDP.
• Develop and maintain relationships with program counterparts in Commercial, Research, Regulatory, Clinical Operations and Statistics.
• Contribute to and partner on the development of strategic initiatives, specific Business Development activities and various organizational initiatives in Clinical Development.
• Play an active role in the technical and leadership development of Clinical Sciences staff through coaching and mentoring, with potential direct line management.

Scientific Leadership, Direction and Strategy

• Employ visioning and strategic thinking to provide expert leadership of disease/therapeutic area specific strategy for a drug(s) or program(s). Lead selected clinical development projects for products/franchise of compounds.
• Lead and positively interface with, and influence across, a diverse range of scientific external experts (e.g. regulators, payors, CROs, consultants, investigators) in order to deliver integrated clinical development strategy that aligns to the business strategy and achieves mutual goals related to patient need.
• Integrate inputs from across disciplines (scientific, clinical, commercial, regulatory) to contribute to the Target Product Profile. Accountable for the clinical components of the Target Product Profile.
• Accountable for risk/benefit of the asset. Actively lead and make decisions that balance risk/benefit at the project level with clear understanding of impact on study/project indication approvals; take action to mitigate risk where appropriate.
• Assess and predict when therapies designed for one patient population/indication can be used in alternative scenarios to broaden potential patient benefit.
• Anticipate problems and proactively seek input from other teams’ members/functional lines within R&D. Use scientific/operational expertise to solve study and/or project related problems.
• Accountable for the evaluation of clinical study/program probability of technical success.

Study & Program Design and Evidence Generation

• Drive the end-to-end integrated clinical development strategy that is appropriately resourced to achieve regulatory approvals, reimbursable medicines, and successful lifecycle management.
• Lead clinical development discussions at regulatory interactions and clinical components of the submissions (e.g. IND, BLA, MAA) including briefing documents, presentations, addressing questions, and responses.
• Deliver value and access insights to inform medical strategy, expand market access and to address unmet patient need.

Creating Innovative Scientific and Technical Solutions

• Overcome obstacles by experimenting with and adopting new ways of working including digital tools and technology.
• Champion implementation of innovative methods and processes within clinical development and gain stakeholder support; encourage others to think differently and come up with business solutions.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Medical oncologist with 10+ years’ experience in clinical development, with at least 5 years in the biopharmaceutical industry, or M.D. with at least 8 years of experience in oncology drug development in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in immuno-oncology or oncology clinical drug development, as well as significant knowledge and experience leading the design and execution of clinical trials. Experience working in development programs that heavily integrate translational medical approaches is preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in leading cross-functional teams and work streams (e.g., translational medicine, biostatistics, regulatory, pre-clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences).
• Understanding of the entire drug development process, including clinical and non-clinical study design and execution.
• Thorough understanding of clinical research methodology and biostatistics principles to facilitate innovative and efficient clinical trial design and clinical development plans with clear data-driven decision rules.
• Attention to detail, internal drive to generate high-quality work, and sense of passion and urgency to achieve team and program goals.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, in addition to excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders regarding new strategies to ensure consistent communication.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital technologies to support innovation and advance clinical development capabilities in oncology drug development.
• Expertise in inductive and deductive reasoning, statistics, and in providing mechanisms to interpret and analyze highly complex information including digital content.
• Experience overseeing activities leading to internal cGCP audits and regulatory inspections related to clinical trial conduct.
• Thorough command of FDA, MHRA and ICH GCP guidelines to ensure the appropriate conduct of clinical studies in the United States, Europe and rest of world.

Our Working Model
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Competitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $243,100.00 - $437,000.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.  

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. 

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. 

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. 

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law.  Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

Accommodations

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. 

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [email protected]. 

Export Control Notice This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license. #LI-AH2

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