Director, Clinical Development Rare Disease

Meet Life Sciences; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Meet Life Sciences is seeking a Director, Clinical Rare Disease for a London-based role. This permanent, full-time position offers three days onsite in London and strategic leadership over a portfolio of rare disease programs, guiding assets from development through key milestones.

The candidate will lead cross-functional teams, drive regulatory interactions, and shape clinical strategy in a highly collaborative, matrix environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive global clinical development experience in pharma/biotech.
• 10+ years in clinical development and portfolio leadership.
• Bachelor's in Life Sciences; advanced degree a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the clinical development strategy for rare disease programs.
• Lead cross-functional teams with oversight of execution, governance, budgets.
• Drive regulatory interactions and support submissions with authorities.
• Evaluate collaboration opportunities and advise portfolio expansion.
• Build and mentor a high-performing clinical team in a matrix environment.

Skills

Rare disease development

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic portfolio management

Regulatory interactions

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Life Sciences

PhD or MD (plus)

Clinical research qualifications

Job description

Director, Clinical Rare Disease for UK-based Medical Research Organization

Permanent, full-time role

Based in London - 3 days onsite

We're partnered with a mission-driven life sciences organization dedicated to advancing innovative therapies for patients with rare diseases through collaborative research and clinical development. As the Director, Clinical Rare Disease, you will provide strategic leadership for a portfolio of clinical programs, guiding assets from development through key clinical milestones while ensuring scientific excellence and operational success. Working within a highly collaborative matrix environment, you will partner with internal leadership, external stakeholders, and global collaborators to shape clinical strategy and drive portfolio decisions. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to influence clinical development strategy, build high-performing teams, and represent the organization across regulatory, scientific, and industry forums. The role is ideal for an experienced clinical development leader with deep expertise in rare diseases and a passion for bringing innovative therapies to patients.

Job Duties

• Develop and execute the clinical development strategy for a portfolio of rare disease programs, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and successful delivery of clinical milestones.
• Lead cross-functional clinical development teams, providing strategic oversight for program execution, risk management, governance, budgets, and portfolio prioritization.
• Drive regulatory and clinical interactions by supporting submissions, engaging with global regulatory authorities and external stakeholders, and contributing to key clinical documentation.
• Evaluate new collaboration opportunities, assess program viability and clinical development potential, and provide strategic recommendations for portfolio expansion and investment.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing clinical team while representing the organization as a senior clinical leader across external partnerships, scientific forums, and collaborative initiatives.

Job Requirements

• Extensive global clinical development experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or medical technology sectors, with significant expertise in rare disease drug development -- ideally 10+ years of experience in clinical development.
• Proven experience developing and implementing clinical strategy, leading cross-functional teams, and managing clinical programs from early development through regulatory approval.
• Strong knowledge of global clinical research regulations, including experience with IND/CTA submissions, NDA/MAA/BLA filings, and interactions with international regulatory authorities.
• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences required; PhD or MD is a plus, but not required. Professional qualifications in clinical research or clinical project management are advantageous.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships, manage budgets, influence senior stakeholders, and lead high-performing teams in a matrixed environment.