Senior Neurology Clinical Development Executive — Remote

Ionis-Pharmaceuticals; Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 269,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Ionis Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Director, Neurology Clinical Development to lead strategic and operational directions for our neurology programs. You will shape integrated development plans, drive clinical trial execution, and manage regulatory interactions, while mentoring a high‑performing cross‑functional team.

You will collaborate across departments to advance programs through early development toward potential registration, and you will travel as needed for investigator

Qualifications

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or another advanced degree in medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, biology, or related field with 15+ years in biotech/pharma and 10+ years in clinical drug development.
• Significant biopharmaceutical industry experience leading early- through mid-stage programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in rare disease, pediatric neurology, neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, or related areas; experience with genetically defined populations preferred.
• Ability to develop and execute integrated development plans and clinical strategies across multiple programs or indications.
• Experience designing, planning, and executing clinical studies with meaningful endpoints and diverse populations.
• Experience preparing regulatory submissions and interacting with health authorities.
• Strong end-to-end understanding of drug development from preclinical through potential registration.
• Demonstrated scientific credibility and engagement with external experts and the medical community.
• Proven ability to work effectively with external partners, investigators, vendors, patient organizations, and key opinion leaders.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing direct reports and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and governance for ongoing Neurology Clinical Development programs and integrated development plans.
• Lead cross‑functional governance and external interactions, communicating strategy and risk to senior leadership.
• Oversee early-stage planning to first-in-human development and progression toward registrational strategies.
• Design and oversee neurology studies with appropriate endpoints, dose rationale, and population definitions.
• Collaborate with Research, Biomarkers, HEOR, Patient Advocacy, and external experts for natural history and biomarker needs.
• Guide regulatory strategies and interactions with health authorities including submissions and meetings.
• Provide scientific leadership during study conduct, data interpretation, and safety assessments.
• Build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, investigators, advocacy groups, and external advisors.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Rare disease experience

Pediatric neurology

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory strategy

Mentoring & coaching

Strategic development planning

Clinical study design

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD or related advanced degree

Job description

Ionis Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Director, Neurology Clinical Development to lead strategic and operational directions for our neurology programs. You will shape integrated development plans, drive clinical trial execution, and manage regulatory interactions, while mentoring a high‑performing cross‑functional team.

You will collaborate across departments to advance programs through early development toward potential registration, and you will travel as needed for investigator