Sr. Director, Biostatistics

ALX Oncology; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working models

Competitive benefits

Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Job summary

ALX Oncology is seeking an experienced Senior Director of Biostatistics in South San Francisco, California. This role involves providing statistical leadership across oncology clinical development, leading Phase 1–3 trials, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD or MS, extensive experience in drug development, and strong leadership in adaptive designs. A competitive salary range of $240,000 - $280,000 is offered based on experience.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry (PhD), or 15+ years (MS).
• Experience with adaptive clinical trial designs and companion diagnostics.
• Prior experience with global regulatory submissions and health authority interactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic statistical leadership for oncology programs.
• Lead statistical design and execution of Phase 1–3 clinical trials.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance.

Skills

Leadership in Phase 3 oncology trials

Adaptive trial design expertise

Data analysis and statistical methodology

Communication skills

Education

PhD or MS in Biostatistics, Statistics, or related discipline

Tools

SAS

R

Adaptive design software (EAST, ADDPLAN)

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director of Biostatistics to provide statistical leadership across oncology clinical development programs, with strong expertise in Phase 3 registrational studies, adaptive clinical trial design, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing precision medicine strategies through innovative trial methodologies, biomarker-driven development, and global regulatory engagement.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Clinical Development & Statistical Leadership
  • Provide strategic statistical leadership for oncology programs from early development through registration and lifecycle management.
  • Lead statistical design and execution of Phase 1–3 oncology clinical trials, with substantial emphasis on registrational Phase 3 studies.
  • Develop innovative and efficient clinical trial designs, including
    • Adaptive designs
    • Biomarker-enrichment strategies
    • Basket, umbrella, and platform trials
  • Provide statistical guidance on:
    • Endpoint selection and Multiplicity control
    • Estimand strategy
    • Missing data methodology
    • Sensitivity analyses
  • Contribute to
    • Clinical development plans
    • Protocols
    • Statistical analysis plans (SAPs)
    • Clinical study reports (CSRs)
    • Regulatory briefing packages
    • Publications and scientific presentations
• Adaptive Design & Statistical Innovation
  • Lead development and evaluation of adaptive design methodologies using simulation-based approaches.
  • Conduct or oversee statistical simulations evaluating
    • Operating characteristics
    • Type I error control
    • Statistical power
    • Futility and efficacy boundaries
    • Adaptive enrichment strategies
  • Partner with programming teams to develop simulation frameworks in R and/or SAS.
  • Communicate complex adaptive design concepts effectively to cross-functional teams and regulatory agencies.
• Regulatory & Submission Leadership
  • Lead statistical support for:
    • End-of-Phase 2 meetings or Type B meetings
    • Scientific advice meetings
    • NDA/BLA submissions
  • Provide strategic input on:
    • Alpha allocation/Multiplicity adjustment
    • Interim/Final data analyses
    • IDMC/DMC support
    • Benefit-risk assessments
  • Ensure compliance with ICH, FDA, EMA, and global regulatory guidance for both therapeutics and diagnostics.
• Cross-Functional & Organizational Leadership
  • Function as a core member of oncology program teams
  • Mentor and provide technical leadership to statisticians and programmers.
  • Oversee CROs and external statistical vendors.
  • Drive adoption of statistical standards, innovative methodologies, and data quality best practices.
  • Support business development, due diligence, and portfolio strategy activities.

Qualifications

• Education
  • PhD or MS in Biostatistics, Statistics, or related quantitative discipline (PhD strongly preferred).
• Experience
  • Typically: PhD with 12+ years of biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry experience, or MS with 15+ years of industry experience.
  • Extensive oncology drug development experience required.
  • Demonstrated leadership in Phase 3 registrational oncology trials.
  • Strong experience with adaptive clinical trial designs and simulation methodologies.
  • Experience supporting companion diagnostic (CDx) co-development programs and biomarker-driven development strategies.
  • Prior experience with global regulatory submissions and health authority interactions required.
  • Biotech industry experience strongly preferred.
• Technical Expertise
  • Strong knowledge of oncology clinical trial methodology, survival analysis, time-to-event endpoints, multiplicity adjustment and alpha control, group sequential and adaptive methodologies, Bayesian and frequentist approaches, biomarker-driven clinical development, estimands framework, missing data methodology, interim monitoring and IDMC support, companion diagnostic statistical methodologies.
  • Proficiency in SAS, R, and adaptive design software such as EAST or ADDPLAN.
• Leadership Style
  • Strategic and innovative thinker with strong scientific judgment.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills.
  • Ability to explain complex statistical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Strong collaboration and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Proven ability to lead in a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Preferred Experience

• Immuno-oncology and targeted therapy development.
• Companion diagnostic (CDx) co-development and PMA support.
• Precision medicine and biomarker-enriched development programs.
• Global multi-regional clinical trials.
• Accelerated approval pathways.

SALARY RANGE: $240,000 – $280,000 DOE

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate in written and oral forms.
• Must be able to interact and communicate in written and oral forms with a diverse group of individuals on both technical and business topics.
• Ability to sit, stand, kneel, stoop, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, point, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to travel 25% of the time without restriction, domestically and/or internationally.
• Must be able to use the telephone and communicate clearly with a host of external individuals, domestically and globally.
• Ability to work at a computer for extensive periods of time.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced working environment managing multiple tasks.

Work Environment and Environmental Conditions

We offer flexible working models, competitive benefits, and an environment where you will have the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

ALX Oncology is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities and for qualified disabled veterans in job application procedures, as required by applicable law.

The above description is intended to describe the general nature of the job and may include other duties as assumed or assigned; it is not intended to be all inclusive or limit the duties of the position.