VP, Clinical Development

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 336,000 - 405,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Clinical Development to provide executive leadership for clinical research and development activities.

The role partners with Biometrics, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, and Drug Safety to align programs with corporate strategy and regulatory standards. Onsite or hybrid staff are expected to be in South San Francisco during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with remote work allowed and quarterly onsite

Qualifications

• M.D. degree with advanced knowledge in hematology/oncology required; board certification preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years in clinical research or drug development (Phase 1–4) in academic or industry settings; at least 6 years in industry.
• Experience with global Health Authorities and regulatory strategy involvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight for design, planning, and execution of clinical development programs across assigned areas/assets.
• Lead development and implementation of clinical development plans aligned with product strategy and lifecycle management.
• Ensure high-quality execution of trials in compliance with GCP and regulatory standards.
• Oversee preparation and review of key clinical documents and regulatory submissions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient trial execution and safety monitoring.
• Translate emerging data into insights to inform development strategy.

Skills

Executive leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

GCP knowledge

Clinical data interpretation

Regulatory strategy

Hematology/Oncology expertise

Education

MD degree in hematology/oncology

Board certification preferred

Job description

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Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Vice President, Clinical Development provides executive leadership for the company’s clinical research and development activities within designated therapeutic areas and/or programs. The Vice President is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and oversight of clinical trials and related data generation activities in support of Rigel’s product development and regulatory objectives.

The Vice President, Clinical Development serves as a senior leader within Clinical Development, accountable for clinical trial execution, data integrity, regulatory readiness, and cross-functional alignment. The role partners closely with Biometrics, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, and Drug Safety to ensure clinical programs are executed in accordance with corporate strategy, regulatory requirements, and medical standards. The Vice President, Clinical Development contributes to portfolio-level decision-making and represents Clinical Development in internal governance forums and selected external engagements.

Employees designated as onsite or hybrid are expected to be onsite at Rigel’s South San Francisco headquarters during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. Employees designated as remote are not subject to the weekly onsite requirement but are expected to onsite at least quarterly and as business needs require.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Strategy & Execution

Provide executive oversight for the design, planning, and execution of clinical development programs across assigned therapeutic areas or assets.

Lead the development and implementation of clinical development plans aligned with Rigel's product strategy, registration pathways, and lifecycle management objectives.

Ensure high-quality execution of clinical trials, including protocol development, data collection, analysis, and reporting in compliance with GCP, regulatory, and medical standards.

Oversee preparation and review of key clinical documents, including protocols, Investigator's Brochures, clinical study reports, and regulatory submission materials.

Organizational & Cross-Functional Leadership

Serve as a senior Clinical Development representative on cross-functional project teams, governance committees, and internal review bodies.

Partner with Clinical Operations and external CROs to ensure efficient trial execution, appropriate medical monitoring, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

Collaborate with Drug Safety to ensure ongoing evaluation of safety data and integration of pharmacovigilance considerations into clinical programs.

Contribute to enterprise decision-making through participation in portfolio reviews, investment discussions, and development governance forums.

Regulatory & External Engagement

Support interactions with global Health Authorities by contributing to briefing packages, responses, and strategic positioning for assigned programs.

Engage with external experts, investigators, key opinion leaders, and advisory boards to inform clinical strategy and execution.

Provide clinical development input to Business Development activities, including due diligence for potential in-licensing or partnering opportunities.

Strategic Contribution

Translate emerging clinical data into actionable insights to inform development decisions and portfolio strategy.

Support the CMO in shaping long-term clinical development capabilities, processes, and talent.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• M.D. degree; advanced knowledge in hematology/oncology required. Board certification in hematology or oncology preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in clinical research or drug development (Phase 1 through 4) in an academic or industry environment; =6 years in an industry (pharmaceutical or biotech) setting
• Experience leading or supporting interactions with global Health Authorities and contributing to regulatory strategy
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, interpret, and communicate complex scientific and clinical data to inform development and portfolio decisions
• Thorough knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, statistics, and clinical trial design
• Proven executive-level leader with experience driving clinical development strategies and delivering high-quality outcomes across multiple stakeholders
• Significant experience working cross-functionally within a matrixed organization and establishing productive scientific partnerships with external experts
• Excellent executive communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $336,000 to $405,000. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs.

This position is eligible to participate in Rigel's annual bonus program and is eligible for equity incentive awards, subject to the terms of the applicable plans. This position is not commission-based.

• Rigel offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) plan; paid time off; paid company holidays; and other benefits.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some travel may be required.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.