VP, Clinical Development (Cardiology) | Executive Leadership Oppty, True Program Ownership | Rapidly Scaling Biotech | Transformative Late-Stage CV Franchise

Cornerstone Search Group; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Search Group is assisting a fast-growing clinical-stage biotech to appoint a VP, Clinical Development (Cardiology) to lead the cardiovascular program strategy, development plans, and regulatory shaping for a flagship asset.

You will work directly with the CEO, CMO, and senior leadership to influence portfolio decisions, build a high-performing clinical development team, and drive the program toward regulatory submission.

Qualifications

• Medical degree required; board certification strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of clinical drug development experience in pharma/biotech.
• Experience leading cardiovascular programs through late-stage trials.
• Strong understanding of trial design and regulatory strategy.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Clinical Lead with end-to-end ownership of the clinical strategy for a major program.
• Own development plans, protocols, indication selection, and target product profile development.
• Lead the Clinical Strategy Sub-Team and mentor physician scientists.
• Represent the company at scientific congresses, advisory boards, and regulatory meetings.
• Present strategy, progress, and risks to executive leadership and the Board.
• Build relationships with investigators and cardiovascular Key Opinion Leaders.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Cardiology

Regulatory strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Education

MD

Board certification

Fellowship in Cardiology

Job description

VP, Clinical Development (Cardiology) | Executive Leadership Oppty, True Program Ownership | Rapidly Scaling Biotech | Transformative Late-Stage CV Franchise

Our client is an attractive, well-funded and fast growing clinical-stage biotech company building a robust and differentiated pipeline of “first-in-class” precision cardiovascular therapies and redefining/ modernizing the approach to cardiovascular drug development

As the company is entering an exciting pivotal phase of clinical advancement, portfolio expansion and organizational growth, they are seeking an accomplished physician executive to lead/shape clinical strategy and direction of its highest-priority cardiovascular program while partnering directly with the CEO, CMO, executive leadership to influence corporate strategy, portfolio decisions, and the evolution of a world-class clinical development organization. This is a unique opportunity to assume significant strategic and operational ownership of a major cardiovascular asset, drive critical development decisions, and play an influential role in advancing a potentially transformative therapy toward regulatory approval.

You will play a central role in shaping both the program/portfolio strategy and the long-term direction of the organization. This is a rare combination of meaningful program ownership, executive visibility, exceptional science, and a chance to influence portfolio and company strategy, as well as building out a high-performing clinical development organization within one of the industry’s fastest growing biotech companies.

For an accomplished cardiovascular physician leader seeking greater ownership, broader strategic influence, and the opportunity to help shape an emerging leader in cardiovascular medicine, this represents a very unique and compelling career opportunity.

ATTRACTIVE FEATURES ABOUT THIS COMPANY & OPPORTUNITY:

• High Visibility & Executive-level Strategic Influence: Work directly with the CEO, CMO, executive leadership, and cross-functional leaders, an opportunity to directly shape/own development strategy, influence executive decision-making, and bring transformative cardiovascular therapies in white-space disease areas to patients with significant unmet medical needs.
• Build, Lead & Make a Lasting Impact: Play an instrumental role not only in advancing an important clinical program, but also in helping shape organizational growth and the company's expanding Clinical Development organization and long-term cardiovascular franchise.
• Best of Both Worlds: Entrepreneurial Agility & Financial Runway: Supported by strong financial foundation, an expanding pipeline and seasoned industry leadership, the company offers the resources to execute ambitious clinical programs while maintaining the agility, speed, and entrepreneurial culture of an innovative startup biotech company
• Perfect Time to Join | Key Inflection Point: Join an innovative biotech company pursuing a differentiated, precision-driven approach to cardiovascular therapeutics, advancing in development with an exciting portfolio of potentially first-in-class medicines.
• Own/Shape Clinical Strategy for Flagship Late-Stage Program: This a unique opportunity to assume significant strategic and operational ownership of a major cardiovascular program, drive critical development decisions, and play an influential role in advancing a potentially transformative therapy toward regulatory approval.

RESPONSIBILITIES IN A NUTSHELL:

• Serve as Clinical Lead and core member of the Global Program Team with end-to-end ownership/accountability for the clinical strategy and execution for one of the company's most strategically important development programs.
• Own clinical development plans and protocol design, with critical input for indication selection and target product profile development.
• Lead the Clinical Strategy Sub-Team with cross-functional leadership in developing and executing an innovative clinical development plan.
• Building and mentoring a team of physician and clinical scientist talent
• Lead clinical decision-making based on emerging data, benefit–risk assessments and evolving regulatory expectations.
• Act as a senior clinical representative in Executive Committee discussions. Represent the company at major scientific congresses, advisory boards, and regulatory meetings
• Act as a trusted strategic thought partner to the Global Program Head, Chief Medical Officer, CEO, and Executive Committee
• Design and oversee clinical protocols, development plans, and evidence-generation strategies that maximize the program's probability of technical and regulatory success
• Help shape portfolio decisions by providing scientific and clinical insight across programs as the pipeline continues to expand
• Present clinical strategy, progress, and risks to executive leadership and, when needed, the Board of Directors.
• Build trusted relationships with leading investigators and cardiovascular Key Opinion Leaders.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Medical Degree is required; board certification is strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant clinical drug development experience working in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, ideally with cardiomyopathy or heart failure programs.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Clinical Lead for a cardiovascular program, ideally through late-stage milestones and regulatory submissions.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, and proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth or emerging biotech environment.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping design future-state organizations.