Distinguished Scientist – Asset Development Team Leader

MSD

Executive Director planning and directing clinical research activities for oncology indications. Managing clinical development cycles and providing scientific leadership to teams and stakeholders.

Posted 5/15/2026full-timeRahway • California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $255,800 - $402,700 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

The Executive Director has primary responsibility for the planning and directing clinical research activities involving new or marketed drugs for oncology indications.
The Executive Director will manage and oversee the entire cycle of clinical development, including study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, publication, and presentation at national and international meeting.
They will provide internal scientific leadership for cross-functional areas supporting clinical trials and will interact externally with key opinion leaders.
Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications
Developing clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed vaccines that incorporate the latest scientific developments, regulatory requirements, the competitive landscape, and commercial considerations
Planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies
Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed vaccines
Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication
Participation in internal and joint internal/ external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds, and the further study of marketed compounds and support of business development assessments of external opportunities.
The Executive Director may manage other Directors and/or Senior Directors responsible for oncology clinical development programs or projects.
Mentoring and career development for direct reports (when applicable) will be a key function of the role.
Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and assist the Vice President in ensuring that appropriate corporate personnel is informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to their areas of responsibility.
The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:
Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within their area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies
Identification of scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational and marketed drugs
Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in their particular field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our company's drugs
Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain their competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in their area of responsibility.
Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development or biomedical research experience in academia or an equivalent combination of academic and industry experience.
Minimum of 3 years of clinical and/or safety medicine experience
Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
Understanding of full E2E drug development process and ideally candidate would have in-depth experience in early and/or late development.
Has demonstrated success in being a critical team member for multiple studies and protocols
Knowledge and ability to originate new program ideas and recommends expansion or curtailment of clinical trials on the basis of results and/or scientific information, including business development and in-licensing opportunities.
Good evidence of an ability to devise and implement strategic initiatives across functional groups and global pharma teams
Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and analysis of clinical trials, including safety
Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential
High level of verbal and written communication, including presentation skills.
Strong learning agility and growth mindset

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
retirement benefits, including 401(k)
paid holidays
vacation
compassionate and sick days

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

clinical researchstudy designclinical developmentregulatory reportingclinical trialssafety and efficacy analysisInvestigational New Drug applicationsclinical study reportsbiomedical researchdrug development

Soft Skills

scientific leadershipmentoringteam collaborationstrategic initiative implementationinterpersonal skillsverbal communicationwritten communicationpresentation skillslearning agilitygrowth mindset