Senior Director, Clinical Development

Nektar Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 280,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vison

Disability Insurance

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off (PTO)

401(k) Match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Wellness Programs

Parental Leave Benefits

Job summary

Nektar Therapeutics is seeking an experienced physician leader to guide strategic clinical development across the full trial spectrum. You will shape trial design, data collection methods, and interpretation of results while ensuring high-quality scientific output for pipeline programs.

The role requires MD credentials, 9+ years in clinical science/medical affairs, and 7+ years in leadership. You will collaborate with Regulatory, Safety, and Biometrics teams and mentor clinical staff to drive

Qualifications

• MD degree required with extensive clinical science/medical affairs background.
• Minimum 9 years of relevant clinical science and/or medical affairs experience.
• 7+ years of leadership or management experience with direct reports.
• Thorough knowledge of ICH/GCP and global regulatory requirements.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem solving and decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic medical leadership for Phase I–IV trials.
• Establish scientific methods for protocol design and data collection.
• Recruit and manage relationships with investigators and key opinion leaders.
• Oversee safety monitoring, adverse events reporting, and risk assessment.
• Ensure compliance with FDA/global regulations and SOPs.
• Develop and execute Clinical Development Plans aligned with programs.
• Lead pivotal studies for registration, labeling, and commercialization.
• Maintain external collaborations with academia, CROs, and partners.
• Serve as clinical peer leader and mentor staff across programs.
• Author and contribute to publications, abstracts, and regulatory submissions.
• Act as medical liaison to Regulatory, Commercial, Safety, Biometrics teams.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Decision making

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Education

MD degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Word

Excel

Visio

PowerPoint

Job description

Provide strategic scientific and medical leadership across the direction, planning, execution, and interpretation of clinical trials and research data collection activities. Establish and approve scientific methods for protocol design, data collection systems, and final reports, ensuring high-quality clinical research that supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology pipeline development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and medical leadership for the design, planning, execution, and interpretation of Phase I–IV clinical trials.
• Establish and approve scientific methods for protocol design, implementation of data collection systems, and final clinical reports.
• Recruit, select, and manage relationships with clinical investigators and key opinion leaders; negotiate study design and operational parameters.
• Oversee medical monitoring, including evaluation and reporting of adverse events, safety data, and clinical risk assessment.
• Ensure compliance with FDA and global regulatory requirements, ICH/GCP guidelines, and company standard operating procedures for clinical research and reporting.
• Develop and execute Clinical Development Plans (CDPs) aligned with overall program goals, regulatory strategies, and commercial objectives.
• Lead the design, conduct, and analysis of pivotal clinical studies supporting registration, labeling, and commercialization.
• Establish and maintain external collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organizations, and strategic partners.
• Serve as the clinical peer leader and therapeutic-area expert for assigned programs; mentor clinical and medical staff.
• Author, review, and contribute to scientific publications, abstracts, presentations, and regulatory submission documents.
• Act as a medical liaison and consultant to internal cross‑functional teams (Regulatory, Commercial, Safety, Biometrics) and external stakeholders.
• Monitor the competitive landscape, scientific trends, and emerging data to inform development strategy and clinical trial design.
• Manage, develop, and lead a high‑performing clinical team; ensure resource planning, performance management, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• MD degree is required.
• Minimum of 9 years of relevant clinical science and/or medical affairs experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry.
• Demonstrated extensive experience in the design, execution, and analysis of clinical studies.
• Minimum of 7 years of previous management or leadership experience with direct‑report accountability.
• Thorough knowledge of ICH/GCP guidelines and FDA/global regulatory requirements governing clinical research.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex clinical programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; proven ability to influence senior management and external stakeholders.
• Senior management experience with cross‑functional leadership, team collaboration, and matrixed organizational effectiveness.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.

Required Skills

• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex clinical programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; proven ability to influence senior management and external stakeholders.
• Senior management experience with cross‑functional leadership, team collaboration, and matrixed organizational effectiveness.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of GMP/GLP and broader drug development and manufacturing processes.

Pay range and compensation package

Nektar currently anticipates the base salary for the Senior Director, Clinical Development (MD) to range from $280,000 to $330,000 for candidates and will depend, in part, on successful candidate location and qualifications for the role, including education and experience. This position will also be eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan, depending in part on company and individual performance and at the Company’s discretion. The compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described based on the market survey data.

About the Company

Nektar currently anticipates the base salary for the Senior Director, Clinical Development (MD) to range from $280,000 to $330,000 for candidates and will depend, in part, on successful candidate location and qualifications for the role, including education and experience. This position will also be eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan, depending in part on company and individual performance and at the Company’s discretion. The compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described based on the market survey data. Qualifying employees are eligible to participate in benefit programs such as:

• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Disability Insurance
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Wellness Programs
• Parental Leave Benefits (in accordance with the terms of applicable plans)

For general information on company benefits, please go to https://www.nektar.com/careers.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Nektar is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.