Director, Development Strategy and Operations, Clinical Development

Verastem; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Verastem Oncology seeks a Development Strategy and Operations Lead to advance the VS-7375 program by connecting clinical insights with strategy and execution. This role leads critical projects, aligns cross-functional teams, and supports key development decisions.

You will coordinate with Medical Affairs, Market Access, and development teams to ensure data-driven decisions, prioritize initiatives, and drive efficiency across the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related field required.
• 7+ years pharma/biotech experience, or 4+ years in life sciences consulting.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional projects and meet timelines.
• Knowledge of pharma R&D, clinical development, and oncology regulatory environment.
• Excellent communication and presenting skills, including with senior leadership.
• Ability to influence across functions and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic projects, define deliverables, timelines, and ownership; coordinate contributors and resolve risks.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to improve development efficiency and manage vendors, budgets, timelines, and quality.
• Monitor the competitive landscape and translate data into strategic recommendations.
• Coordinate external communication with Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, and development teams for data disclosure and publications.
• Synthesize clinical and investigator insights to inform research priorities and translational strategy.
• Support launch readiness and evidence generation with Commercial, Market Access, and Medical Affairs.
• Facilitate critical decisions on priorities and resource allocation and ensure follow-through.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Influence stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Advanced degree (PhD/MBA/MD)

Job description

Company Profile

At Verastem Oncology, we address urgent needs of patients living with cancers driven by RAS/MAPK pathway mutations, a key driver of tumor growth and treatment resistance. FDA approval of AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK delivered the first therapy for women living with recurrent KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a rare cancer with significant unmet need. We've launched this novel/novel combination therapy in the U.S. and are exploring pathways for Europe and Japan. We continue to advance our pipeline of drugs to help block cancer cell survival, inhibit tumor growth, and overcome treatment resistance. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of cancer care and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients.

Position Overview

We seek a Development Strategy and Operations Lead to advance our VS-7375 program by connecting clinical insights with strategy and execution. This role leads critical projects, aligns cross-functional teams, and supports key development decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic projects: Manage high-priority projects and workstreams, defining deliverables, timelines, and ownership; coordinate contributors, manage dependencies, and resolve risks.
• Improve operational effectiveness: Drive cross-functional initiatives to increase development efficiency and manage relevant vendors, including scope, budgets, timelines, and deliverable quality.
• Monitor the competitive landscape: Track emerging data, competitor progress, and regulatory milestones; translate findings into recommendations for strategy and operating plans.
• Coordinate external communication and engagement: Partner with Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, and development teams on data disclosure, publications, congress activities, and stakeholder engagement to build oncology community awareness and support trial enrollment.
• Connect clinical insights with research: Work with development teams to synthesize clinical and investigator insights that inform research priorities, translational strategy, and future development.
• Support launch readiness and evidence generation: Work with Commercial, Market Access, and Medical Affairs to align development activities with product launch readiness and evidence generation plans.
• Drive critical decisions: Communicate key messages, progress, risks, and recommendations; facilitate decisions on priorities and resource allocation and ensure follow-through.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences or a related scientific discipline.
• At least 7 years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology experience, or 4 years of management consulting experience focused on life sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects and deliver against timelines.
• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical R&D, clinical development, and the regulatory environment in oncology.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to translate complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including with senior leadership.
• Ability to influence across functions, build alignment, and manage competing priorities.

Preferred

• Advanced degree, such as a PhD, MBA, or MD.
• Management consulting experience and/or experience managing complex projects in life sciences.

• Oncology experience in development, strategy, or program management.
• Experience with scientific communications, stakeholder engagement, vendor management, or process improvement.