Senior Director, Early Clinical Development

Daiichi Sankyo; Basking Ridge (NJ); On-site; USD 280,000 - 467,000; Full time

Job summary

Daiichi Sankyo is seeking a Senior Director in Early Clinical Development to lead oncology trial programs from early development through regulatory strategy. You will supervise CRO activities, partner with Discovery and Translational Medicine, and shape development plans, biomarker strategies, and submissions.

You will engage with health authorities and senior management to align on program goals. The role requires extensive leadership of cross-functional teams across regions, with travel up to

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD with relevant clinical and industry experience required in clinical oncology.
• Postgraduate training in TA or related specialty required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee CRO clinical monitoring activities and sponsor oversight; coordinate internal communications.
• Monitor safety data and ensure global consistency of monitoring across projects.
• Develop study strategy with function leaders; approve TM and biomarker strategy; attend regulatory meetings.
• Plan and execute contingency plans; define priorities and execution plans across projects and regions.
• Assess study design, statistics, and endpoints for registrational trials and early-stage work.
• Lead external collaborations and advisory panels; maintain relationships with KEEs and CROs.

Skills

Oncology leadership

Clinical development

CRO management

Regulatory strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Postgraduate TA training

Job description

At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Early Clinical Development role oversees early-stage oncology trials, such as global clinical development program for multiple product candidates with one or more indications; Interacts with our Discovery and Research programs for development of early clinical studies. Provides senior level clinical representation at meetings with health authorities; Leads the creation of developmental and regulatory strategy; Accountable for performance of CROs; Routine interactions with senior management of CRO, as needed; Accountable for clinical development plans, protocol profiles and sections of key submission documents; Represents Clinical Development as team leader or as supervisor of team leaders; Accountable for Clinical Development input into commercial strategy including Translational Medicine and biomarker strategy; Thought partner in driving Business Development decisions in collaboration with External Scientific Affairs dept.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Monitoring Planning : Oversees and coordinates Sponsor oversight of CRO clinical Monitoring activities, including plan for internal communication and issue escalation with Clinical Study Lead (CSL)
• Clinical Surveillance: Documents ongoing Clinical Monitoring review of data for safety (with Clinical Safety Pharmacovigiliance) and quality at project level; Ensures global consistency of clinical Monitoring activities; Defines or contributes to department level surveillance activities across projects
• Study strategy: Interacts with leaders of each function to develop study strategy; Approves project or TA-level TM and biomarker strategy in collaboration with Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology; Attends regulatory agency meetings and leads clinical strategy discussions
• Study planning and execution: Develops prospective contingency plans for management of key risks across a large project or a portfolio of projects or across the Therapeutic Area; Clearly defines priorities and high-level execution plans across projects within and outside of Daiichi Sankyo; Supports effective communication and decision-making process cross-functionally and cross-regionally at department level
• Study Outputs: Has strong understanding of statistics and study design principles applicable to primary and efficacy and safety endpoints in registrational trials to critically assess study conclusions and new study designs for early stage.
• External collaboration: Ensure continuous, effective alignment within / between CRO and vendors; For large, multiple indication project in late development, develops and leads Ad-Board with top tier KEEs for project level strategic advice; Consults with KEEs for advice on complex development or safety issues; Maintains and leads external collaborations and advisory panels at department level
• Matrix and Cross-Functional Leadership: Leverage scientific expertise and organizational influence to lead and align global cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of clinical development objectives. Build effective partnerships across functions, regions, and external stakeholders to navigate complex issues, resolve competing priorities, and advance program goals without direct supervisory authority. Additional Non-Study related activities: Routine senior management interactions; Influential relationship with top KOLs; Committee member, in-licensing and acquisitions

Education Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD with relevant clinical and industry experience required in clinical oncology required
• Postgraduate training in TA or related specialty required

Experience Qualifications

7 or More Years relevant clinical experience required

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. Domestic and International travel will be required.

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Range

USD$280,350.00 - USD$467,250.00