Executive Director, Clinical Program Management

MapLight Therapeutics, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 276,000 - 321,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunity

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(K) plan with match

Stock options

Flexible paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. is looking for an experienced Executive Director of Clinical Program Management. This role provides leadership across the clinical development portfolio and oversees program management practices to enhance effectiveness.

Candidates should have a strong background in biotech, proven leadership in managing complex clinical programs, and effective communication skills. The position allows for hybrid work opportunities in the U.S., with compensation ranging from $276,000 to $321,000.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in biotech or pharmaceutical clinical development.
• Demonstrated success at program and portfolio levels.
• Strong grounding in clinical development principles.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Fluent in written and verbal business English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Clinical Program Management function with standards and best practices.
• Be accountable for Clinical Program Management effectiveness across the portfolio.
• Align with leadership to deliver corporate goals.
• Work with teams on program planning and timelines.
• Anticipate cross-program risks and mitigate issues.

Skills

Leadership in clinical development

Strong communication skills

Risk management

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Job description

Overview

MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotech company that focuses on drug discovery for central nervous system disorders. We combine cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, in vivo physiology, and spatial transcriptomics to identify novel drug targets and develop effective therapies to address psychiatric symptoms.

What You’ll Do

The Executive Director, Clinical Program Management provides leadership and direction across the MapLight clinical development portfolio, supporting programs across all stages of development. The role is accountable for portfolio oversight, functional leadership, and consistency of program management practices, strengthening the quality and effectiveness of program management across Clinical Development. The role reports to the Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and may have one or more direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Clinical Program Management function by defining standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives, and by developing the team through coaching, feedback, and role modeling to strengthen Program Management as a discipline within the organization.
• Be accountable for Clinical Program Management effectiveness across the clinical development portfolio.
• Align with leadership to deliver corporate and departmental goals and initiatives.
• Partner with Clinical Leads and cross-functional teams on program planning, deliverables, and timelines, supporting effective execution across the portfolio.
• Work with Nonclinical Program Management on seamless progression of programs from preclinical into clinical development.
• Ensure quality, consistency, accountability, and responsiveness of the Clinical Program Management function across planning, execution, communication, and governance-related processes as they evolve.
• Enable high-quality development decision making by anticipating and addressing gaps, misalignment, or inefficiencies.
• Anticipate cross-program risks, conflicts, and resource constraints, and intervene proactively to mitigate issues appropriately.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in biotech or pharmaceutical clinical development, with a documented track record of leadership across complex, multi-stage clinical programs and portfolios.
• Demonstrated success operating at both program and portfolio levels, including participation in governance, prioritization, and development decision-making forums.
• Strong grounding in clinical development principles, regulatory strategy, and cross-functional execution sufficient to engage credibly with Clinical Program Leads, functional experts, and senior leadership.
• Proven experience partnering effectively with Clinical, Regulatory, Operations, CMC, and related functions.
• Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment under ambiguity, anticipate risk, and enable high-quality development decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop Program Management professionals while remaining engaged as needed.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Fluent in written and verbal business English.
• Highly motivated, self-driven and dependable.
• Committed to MapLight's Core Beliefs and Values.

Travel

• Ability to travel, as necessary.

Location: Remote US position. Hybrid 3 days in office for employees located within 50 miles of Redwood City, CA or Burlington, MA.

MapLight does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, staffing agencies, or search firms.

Compensation for this role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills. Additional compensation/benefits include annual bonus opportunity, medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D, short term and long term disability, 401(K) plan with match, stock options, flexible non-accrual paid time off, and parental leave.

Salary Range

$276,000—$321,000 USD

EEOC Statement: MapLight Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.