Sr. Director

The Role:

Programs in Therapeutics Development are a key part of Moderna’s portfolio. Comprising a dynamic & collaborative community of clinical development physicians and scientists across Rare and Autoimmune, Diseases, we are driving scientific innovation to deliver transformational medicines.

Moderna is seeking an MD with experience in rare disease/immunology clinical development to lead the clinical strategy for one or more assets within the Therapeutic portfolio and oversee a clinical team accountable for trials to execute the strategy. This role offers you the opportunity to utilize advanced scientific and statistical principles and digital technology in collaboration with your peers to help build Moderna’s pipeline.

This role will report to Moderna’s Clinical Head for Therapeutics (Rare Disease, Autoimmune or Exploratory Disease). The position is based at one of Moderna’s offices in: Cambridge, MA; Princeton, NJ; Bethesda, MD. 

The successful candidate is driven, curious, and collaborative, with a bold ambition to contribute to the development of ground-breaking mRNA-based therapeutics. The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills, and a collaborative way of working. 

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Providing integrated and innovative clinical development strategy to lead the creation and management of the Clinical Development Plan (CDP) for an asset in development

• Integrating scientific rationale, regulatory requirements, product development plan and commercial goals to optimize clinical study designs aligned with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and CDP

• Generating the data and evidence required to determine a medicine’s potential efficacy, safety profile, key areas of product differentiation and value to patient in the shortest possible timeframe

• Establishing expeditious clinical development timelines, incorporating key decision points and Go/No Go criteria for the CDP

• Developing and maintaining relationships with program counterparts in Commercial, Research, Regulatory, Clinical Operations and Statistics

• Contributing to and partnering on the development of strategic initiatives, specific Business Development activities and various organizational initiatives in Clinical Development

• Playing an active role in the technical and leadership development of Clinical Sciences staff via coaching and mentoring and potential direct line management

Scientific Leadership, Direction and Strategy:

• Employs visioning and strategic thinking to provide expert leadership of disease/therapeutic area specific strategy for a drug(s) or program(s). Leads selected clinical development projects for products/franchise of compounds

• Leading and positively interfacing with and influencing across a diverse range of scientific external experts (e.g. regulators, payors, CROs, consultants, investigators) in order to deliver integrated clinical development strategy, which align to the business strategy and achieves mutual goals related to patient need

• Integrating inputs from across disciplines (scientific, clinical commercial, regulatory) to contribute to the Target Product Profile. Accountable for the clinical components of the Target Product Profile.

• Accountable for risk/benefit of the asset. Actively leads and makes decisions which balance risk/benefit at the project level with clear understanding of impact on study/project indication approvals; takes action to mitigate risk where appropriate

• Anticipating problems and proactively seeking input from other teams’ members/functional lines within R&D. Uses scientific/operational expertise to solve study and/or project related problems

• Accountable for the evaluation of clinical study/program probability of technical success

Study & Program Design and Evidence Generation:

• Drives the end to end integrated clinical development strategy that is appropriately resourced to achieve regulatory approvals, reimbursable medicines, and successful lifecycle management

• Leads clinical development discussions at regulatory interactions and clinical components of the submissions (e.g. IND, NDA, BLA, MAA) including briefing documents, presentations, addressing questions and responses

• Delivers value and access insights to inform medical strategy, expand market access and to address unmet patient need

Creating Innovative Scientific and Technical Solutions:

• Overcomes obstacles by experimenting with and adopting new ways of working including digital tools and technology

• Champions implementation of innovative methods and processes within clinical development and gains stakeholder support; encourages others to think differently and come up with business solutions

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:

• MD degree and 5 years’ experience or advanced degree (Ph.D, pharm D) with extensive experience in clinical development, preferably in rare disease

• Advanced medical training  or experience in an internal medicine or pediatric-related field

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

• Attention to detail, internal drive to generate high-quality work, and sense of passion and urgency to achieve team and program goals

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic planning skills

• Extensive experience in clinical drug development with an understanding of multiple diseases, the underlying biology and potential therapeutic targets as well as current and future potential treatment options in all clinical trial phases.

• Extensive clinical training and/or applicable clinical research experience; understanding of clinical development planning and running clinical trial from concept study idea to publication.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders regarding new strategies to ensure consistent communication

• Proven ability to maximize and integrate genetic data to advance disease understanding and inform and guide clinical development plans

• Thorough understanding of clinical research methodology and biostatistics principles, to facilitate innovative and efficient clinical trial design, and clinical development plans with clear data-driven decision rules

• Demonstrated experience using new learning and digital tools to create innovation in other areas

• Expertise in inductive and deductive reasoning, statistics, and in providing mechanisms to interpret and analyze highly complex information including digital content

• Embodies Moderna’s core values of Bold, Relentless, Curious and Collaborative.

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize your well-being journey
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities
• Location-specific perks and extras

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.  

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. 

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. 

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. 

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. 

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment. 

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply! 

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law.  

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. 

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [email protected].  (EEO Employer)  

-