Program Lead, Development - Rare Disease

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 247,000 - 334,000; Full time

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA seeks a Senior/Executive Director, Development Program Lead to shape and drive two early-stage rare disease programs in hepatobiliary space. You will build integrated development strategies and lead execution through critical milestones, guiding cross-functional teams and making investment decisions based on emerging data.

The role requires a leader who thrives in ambiguity, demonstrates strong strategic judgment, and communicates effectively with senior

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in medicine, science, pharmacy, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug development, including leading cross‑functional teams.
• Rare disease drug development experience preferred.
• Experience in early-stage development, including first‑in‑human studies and Phase 1.
• Broad understanding of drug development and interdependencies across clinical, regulatory, safety, nonclinical, CMC, and program management.
• Ability to lead through influence, align stakeholders, and drive decisions without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated, cross-functional strategies for early-stage rare disease programs.
• Establish program vision, milestones, and alignment across scientific, regulatory, and business considerations.
• Develop fit-for-purpose program plans reflecting asset stage, evidence base, and investment level.
• Define proof-of-concept strategies, decision criteria, and data requirements for evaluation and investment decisions.
• Integrate scientific evidence, clinical data, regulatory considerations, patient needs, and external landscape into strategy.
• Translate complex information into clear recommendations and executable plans.
• Anticipate risks and interdependencies; establish mitigation plans and escalate issues as needed.
• Partner with functional leaders to align resources with milestones and deliverables.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing team with transparent communication and timely decisions.
• Prepare and present strategy, status, risks, and scenarios to governance and senior leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Influence without authority

Data-driven decision making

Executive presence

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The Senior/Executive Director, Development Program Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership for two early-stage rare disease programs in the hepatobiliary space. The Program Lead will be accountable for building integrated development strategies and leading their execution through critical early clinical milestones. This individual will guide cross-functional teams in establishing the right priorities, anticipating future program needs, and making thoughtful investment decisions based on emerging clinical and scientific evidence.

This role requires an experienced drug development leader who can operate effectively in ambiguity, create clarity around the milestones that matter most, and maintain engagement across programs. The successful candidate will bring meaningful rare disease and early development experience, along with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives and influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.

The Program Lead will work collaboratively across Research, Early Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Drug Safety, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Clinical Supply, Commercial, and Finance.

This position is hybrid based to Alnylam's Cambridge MA office, although consideration will be given to US-remote candidates with exceptional applicable experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of integrated, cross-functional strategies for early-stage rare disease programs.
• Establish a clear program vision, strategy, and set of prioritized milestones that align scientific, clinical, regulatory, operational, and business considerations.
• Develop fit-for-purpose program plans that reflect each asset's stage, evidence base, investment level, and future potential while maintaining readiness to accelerate if emerging data support further development.
• Lead cross-functional teams in defining proof-of-concept strategies, decision criteria, critical assumptions, and data requirements needed to evaluate therapeutic potential and inform future investment decisions.
• Integrate scientific evidence, clinical data, regulatory considerations, patient needs, and the evolving external landscape into program strategy and decision‑making.
• Translate complex and sometimes incomplete information into clear recommendations, priorities, and executable plans.
• Anticipate program risks, barriers, and interdependencies; establish mitigation and contingency plans and elevate issues appropriately to support timely decisions.
• Partner with functional leaders to align resources, capabilities, and subject‑matter expertise with program milestones and deliverables.
• Foster an inclusive, high‑performing team environment that encourages rigorous debate, transparent communication, shared accountability, and timely decision‑making.
• Prepare and present program strategy, status, risks, scenarios, and recommendations to governance bodies and senior leadership.
• Ensure key decisions, assumptions, dependencies, and program risks are clearly documented and communicated across the broader organization.
• Serve as a visible and credible champion for the programs, articulating their scientific rationale, patient impact, strategic value, and development path.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in medicine, science, pharmacy, or a related discipline. MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced scientific or clinical training preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug development, including significant experience leading cross‑functional development teams or complex development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in rare disease drug development preferred.
• Meaningful experience with early‑stage development, including first‑in‑human studies, Phase 1 development, proof‑of‑concept planning, and/or progression into Phase 2.
• Broad understanding of the drug development process and the interdependencies among clinical development, regulatory strategy, clinical operations, safety, biometrics, nonclinical development, CMC, and program management.
• Experience developing integrated program strategies, evaluating development scenarios, and translating scientific and clinical evidence into program decisions.
• Therapeutic‑area flexibility, intellectual agility, and the ability to rapidly build sufficient knowledge to lead programs in complex or evolving disease areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, align stakeholders with differing perspectives, and drive decisions without relying on formal authority.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, identify the decisions and milestones that matter most, and create clarity for cross‑functional teams.
• Strong strategic judgment combined with a willingness to work at a detailed, hands‑on level when required.
• Ability to anticipate future development needs and plan for program success while appropriately balancing evidence, risk, resources, and organizational priorities.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to communicate complex program considerations clearly and persuasively to senior leaders and governance forums.
• Collaborative, decisive, and adaptable leadership style with a commitment to data‑driven decision‑making.
• Demonstrated commitment to patients, scientific rigor, integrity, accountability, and high performance.
• Clear alignment with Alnylam's Core Values: Fiercely Innovative, Open Culture, Passion for Excellence, Purposeful Urgency, and Commitment to People

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics- a revolutionaryapproach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possibleand are just at the beginning of what's possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, wherean authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinkingfuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's CandidatePrivacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

The pay range below reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam's robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

U.S. Pay Range

$246,500 — $333,500 USD