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Director/Sr. Director, Clinical Development

Job description

Director/Sr. Director, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs
Location: San Francisco Bay Area – Hybrid (Relocation considered)
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent

Overview:
An innovative, well-funded clinical-stage biotech is seeking a Director of Clinical Development with experience in Medical Affairs. This individual will play a critical role in shaping and executing clinical development strategy while also serving as a key external-facing leader engaging with KOLs, investigators, and strategic stakeholders.
 
The position is ideal for someone energized by smaller biotech environments—where collaboration, communication, and cross-functional impact are the norm. This is a high-visibility role that combines strategic and operational responsibilities across multiple therapeutic areas, starting with support for Phase 2+ clinical trials.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead clinical study teams and collaborate with investigators and CROs to design and execute Phase 1–3 clinical trials.
  • Author and review clinical protocols, investigator brochures, study reports, and other regulatory documents.
  • Represent the company in KOL engagements, advisory boards, investigator meetings, and conference presentations.
  • Translate early research and translational findings into actionable clinical development plans.
  • Support the preparation of abstracts, presentations, and scientific manuscripts.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Regulatory, Biomarkers, Commercial, and Clinical Operations teams.
  • Help ensure adherence to FDA, ICH, and GCP standards, including SOP compliance.

Required:
  • Advanced clinical degree: MD, DO, MBBS, or PharmD
  • Significant experience (5–10+ years) in drug development, with a proven track record across clinical development and medical affairs
  • Expertise in interfacing with KOLs and investigators; excellent public speaking and presentation skills
  • Strong interpersonal presence: articulate, thoughtful, personable, and collaborative
  • Experience supporting 1–2 (Phase 2+) trials
  • Comfort in high-accountability, fast-paced biotech environments
  • Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, the San Francisco Bay Area (near Palo Alto/Stanford Life Sciences Campus)

Nice-to-Have:
  • Background in rare disease, dermatology, hepatology, or non-malignant hematology
  • Familiarity with both early-stage development and medical affairs strategy
  • For MDs: completion of post-residency training
  • For PharmDs: early experience in a clinical or patient-facing setting