Senior Director, Oncology Small Molecule

MSD; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 306,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Boston seeks a visionary leader to shape the discovery and advancement of Oncology small molecule therapeutics. You will oversee a cross-functional team, develop a comprehensive pipeline strategy, and partner across the company to progress assets from discovery through late-stage development.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 10+ years in industry, a strong track record in cancer biology, IND experience, and excellent leadership.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Oncology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Biophysics, Immunology, or related STEM subject area with 10+ years of post-degree industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking pipeline strategy for Oncology small molecules.
• Be a strategic thought leader for small molecule medicines that are first‑in‑class and best‑in‑class.
• Leverage cancer biology expertise to evaluate opportunities and drive portfolio decisions.
• Provide strategic oversight for programs transitioning from discovery to late-stage development.
• Drive milestones from preclinical to IND-enabling studies and support early clinical development.
• Lead business development evaluations from a scientific perspective.

Skills

Cancer Research

Drug Development

External Collaboration

High Performance Team Building

Immunotherapy

IND Submission

Innovation

Investigational New Drug (IND)

Motivation Management

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Oncology

People Leadership

Program Leadership

Project Leadership

Small Molecules

Strategic Management

Strategic Planning

Education

Ph.D. in Biology or related STEM with 10+ years post-degree experience

Job description

Job Description

Discovery Oncology is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to shape and drive the discovery and advancement of the next generation of our Company’s Oncology small molecule therapeutics. Come join an incredible team steeped in a history of scientific excellence and successful drug discovery.

The successful candidate will lead a team at our company’s Boston site delivering on the small molecule Oncology pipeline. They will be the strategic leader for Oncology small molecule therapeutics in Boston, with opportunities to contribute across additional modalities. They will develop and execute a comprehensive pipeline strategy, partnering across our company to expand our portfolio. This leader will work tightly with chemistry, clinical, translational, and business development to build and progress an effective pipeline of compelling medicines, from discovery through late-stage development. The successful candidate will have a strong record of scientific excellence, thoughtful strategic planning, late-stage research and IND experience, and inspiring people leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking pipeline strategy, shaping the future of our Company’s Oncology therapeutics with a focus on small molecules.

• Be a strategic thought leader for the employment of small molecules to create effective, tolerable, and combinable medicines that are both first-in-class and best-in-class.

• Leverage your deep understanding of cancer biology (including intrinsic pathways and key cancer drivers) and the current internal and external oncology landscape to evaluate the opportunity of new therapeutics and drive portfolio decisions.

• Provide strategic oversight for programs as they transition from early discovery into and through late-stage clinical development, ensuring continuity and alignment with the overall asset strategy.

• Drive key milestones for pipeline advancement, from preclinical candidate selection through to IND-enabling studies and support for early clinical development. Ensure compelling engagement with regulatory agencies.

• Lead business development evaluations from a scientific perspective, identifying and championing external assets and platforms that align with our strategic vision.

• As a member of the Discovery Oncology Leadership team, meaningfully contribute to the development and execution of strategy and the growth and development of staff. Act as an experienced Program Lead and mentor others to become strong Program Leaders.

• Foster a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability, and inclusion. Establish strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively drive drug discovery initiatives.

Required Qualifications / Education:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Oncology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Biophysics, Immunology, or a related STEM subject area with 10+ years of post-degree experience in industry or equivalent.

• An extensive background in cancer biology with a proven ability to translate deep scientific insights into drug development strategies from discovery through late-stage development.

• Evidence of innovative approaches to small molecule design, particularly induced proximity.

• A proven track record of successfully advancing multiple well-designed investigative small molecule drug candidates into the clinic, with a focus on patient experience and successful clinical execution.

• Clear experience in late program leadership partnering with regulatory, translational sciences, and clinical development. Direct, hands‑on experience writing IND modules and filings.

• Experience managing a group of senior and junior scientists with a track record of achievements, including project leadership and strategic contributions.

• Ability to build strong relationships within highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to effectively drive drug discovery initiatives.

• Excellent attention to detail and strong communication (oral and written) skills.

• Highly self‑motivated and capable of prioritizing deliverables.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Preference will be given to candidates with a large breadth of small molecule experience, including novel approaches.

• Experience with modalities beyond traditional small molecules is beneficial, particularly including small molecule payloads.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Cancer Research, Drug Development, External Collaboration, High Performance Team Building, Immunotherapy, IND Submission, Innovation, Investigational New Drug (IND), Motivation Management, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Oncology, People Leadership, Program Leadership, Project Leadership, Small Molecules, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

San Francisco Residents Only:

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

Yes

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

11/2/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

The salary range for this role is

$194,100.00 - $305,600.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.