Director of Clinical Development Jobs
Director of Clinical Development jobs are open across pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, from associate director to vice president level, with specializations in oncology, rare disease, and early-phase drug development. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:
In collaboration with the Exelixis clinical teams, the primary role is to lead and execute early/late stage clinical trials for oncology products in development. Participates in the design/planning of clinical studies and helps with the interpretation of study results. Establishes and approves scientific methods for design and implementation of clinical protocols, data collection systems and final reports. May recruit clinical investigators for research studies. Responsibilities also include adverse event reporting and safety responsibilities monitoring. Monitors adherence to protocols and determines study completion.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities:
- Design, prepare and initiate study protocols and other required documentation in compliance with project plans, federal regulations, GCP and good medical practice.
- Act as medical monitor for company sponsored trials.
- Support project teams with therapeutic area specific information.
- Collaborate with internal safety group in analyzing and reporting of safety data from clinical trials.
- Analyze and interpret other clinical trial data and prepare reports for regulatory agencies and publication.
- Interact with key opinion leaders and investigators in relevant disease specific area.
- Ensure consistency of scientific and development strategies for oncology products in development. Maintain the highest level of scientific and clinical knowledge in relevant disease specific area.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None May on case-by-case basis supervise employees, both directly and indirectly through a dotted line structure or via other subordinate supervisors.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Education/Experience:
- MD (board certification or eligibility in Oncology or Hematology/Oncology desirable but not essential) required with a minimum of 8 years of post-residency experience.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience/The Ideal for Successful Entry into Job:
- Drug development experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, or a combination of academia and industry. Note: Individuals with extensive academic experience but without experience in the pharmaceutical industry may be considered
- Hands-on experience in the design, execution, and reporting of controlled clinical trials in oncology.
- Participated in clinical oncology studies with molecular targeted or immunological therapies. Understanding of basic science relevant to clinical oncology (biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology and/or genetics).
Knowledge/Skills:
- Proven ability to effectively work in a cross-functional/matrix environment
- Uses broad expertise or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways.
- Develops technical and/or business solutions to complex problems.
- Identifies and implements methods, techniques, procedures and evaluation criteria to achieve results.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with significant key opinion leaders.
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
JOB COMPLEXITY:
- Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors
- Works on abstract problems across functional areas of the business
- Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results. Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers.
#LI-JD1
Location: Alameda, CA Range for this position: $318,000 - $402,000 The base pay offered will take into account job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors. In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.
Exelixis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others would result.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.
Exelixis is an E-Verify employer.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.
DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:
In collaboration with the Exelixis clinical teams, the primary role is to lead and execute early/late stage clinical trials for oncology products in development. Participates in the design/planning of clinical studies and helps with the interpretation of study results. Establishes and approves scientific methods for design and implementation of clinical protocols, data collection systems and final reports. May recruit clinical investigators for research studies. Responsibilities also include adverse event reporting and safety responsibilities monitoring. Monitors adherence to protocols and determines study completion.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities:
- Design, prepare and initiate study protocols and other required documentation in compliance with project plans, federal regulations, GCP and good medical practice.
- Act as medical monitor for company sponsored trials.
- Support project teams with therapeutic area specific information.
- Collaborate with internal safety group in analyzing and reporting of safety data from clinical trials.
- Analyze and interpret other clinical trial data and prepare reports for regulatory agencies and publication.
- Interact with key opinion leaders and investigators in relevant disease specific area.
- Ensure consistency of scientific and development strategies for oncology products in development. Maintain the highest level of scientific and clinical knowledge in relevant disease specific area.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None May on case-by-case basis supervise employees, both directly and indirectly through a dotted line structure or via other subordinate supervisors.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Education/Experience:
- MD (board certification or eligibility in Oncology or Hematology/Oncology desirable but not essential) required with a minimum of 8 years of post-residency experience.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience/The Ideal for Successful Entry into Job:
- Drug development experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, or a combination of academia and industry. Note: Individuals with extensive academic experience but without experience in the pharmaceutical industry may be considered
- Hands-on experience in the design, execution, and reporting of controlled clinical trials in oncology.
- Participated in clinical oncology studies with molecular targeted or immunological therapies. Understanding of basic science relevant to clinical oncology (biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology and/or genetics).
Knowledge/Skills:
- Proven ability to effectively work in a cross-functional/matrix environment
- Uses broad expertise or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways.
- Develops technical and/or business solutions to complex problems.
- Identifies and implements methods, techniques, procedures and evaluation criteria to achieve results.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with significant key opinion leaders.
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
JOB COMPLEXITY:
- Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors
- Works on abstract problems across functional areas of the business
- Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results. Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers.
#LI-JD1
Location: Alameda, CA Range for this position: $318,000 - $402,000 The base pay offered will take into account job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors. In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.
Exelixis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others would result.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.
Exelixis is an E-Verify employer.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.
DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Director of Clinical Development Jobs by Experience Level
See All 191+ Director of Clinical Development Jobs
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Find JobsDirector of Clinical Development Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Syneos Health Commercial Solutions18
- AbbVie17
- Regeneron16
- Gilead Sciences11
- サイネオス・ヘルス8
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals14
- Science & Research2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of clinical development jobs.
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or a related clinical field
- Demonstrated experience leading Phase I through Phase III clinical trials
- Expertise in IND and NDA or BLA submission strategy and execution
- Proficiency with clinical trial management systems and GCP compliance frameworks
- Experience managing cross-functional teams across regulatory, biostatistics, and clinical operations
- Familiarity with FDA and international regulatory agency interactions and guidance documents
Tips for Your Director of Clinical Development Job Search
Align your resume to IND milestones
Hiring teams for this role scan for concrete trial progression achievements. Reframe your experience around IND submissions, protocol design decisions, and Phase I through III advancement rather than listing therapeutic areas without context.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of clinical development openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target companies by pipeline stage
Early-stage biotechs hiring a director of clinical development need someone who can build from scratch, while large pharma wants process expertise. Filter openings by company size and pipeline maturity before applying so your cover letter speaks to their actual situation.
Quantify your cross-functional leadership
Job descriptions routinely ask for experience leading clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and biostatistics teams without direct authority. Cite specific trials where you coordinated those functions and name the deliverables you drove to completion.
Prepare a development strategy case answer
Interviewers at this level frequently present a mock asset or early data package and ask you to outline a development plan. Practice walking through go or no-go decisions, endpoint selection rationale, and FDA alignment strategy out loud before your panel interview.
Negotiate start date around trial timelines
If you're mid-trial at your current company, propose a start date that lands between key data locks or database freezes. Hiring managers in clinical development understand protocol obligations and often respect candidates who raise this proactively rather than after an offer.
Director of Clinical Development Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of clinical developments?
Syneos Health Commercial Solutions, AbbVie, and Regeneron are hiring the most director of clinical developments right now, with openings concentrated in California, Massachusetts, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity tends to cluster at companies advancing assets through mid-to-late stage development.
How many director of clinical development jobs are remote?
About 73% of director of clinical development openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's heavy reliance on cross-functional collaboration and site oversight. Medical writing, regulatory strategy, and data review functions within the role tend to offer the most location flexibility, while roles tied to active site management are more likely to require onsite presence.
How do you become a director of clinical development?
Most directors of clinical development move up through clinical operations, medical affairs, or regulatory roles after earning an advanced degree in a life sciences or clinical discipline. Building trial leadership experience across multiple phases, taking ownership of protocol development, and gaining direct FDA or agency interaction exposure are the clearest paths to qualifying for director-level postings.
Can you get a director of clinical development job without direct trial leadership experience?
Candidates without direct trial leadership can compete by demonstrating deep protocol design or regulatory strategy experience in adjacent roles such as medical affairs, translational medicine, or clinical pharmacology. Emphasizing therapeutic area expertise, cross-functional project ownership, and any involvement in IND or NDA submissions helps close the gap when formal trial leadership is thin.
What does the director of clinical development interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a recruiter screen, moves to a hiring manager conversation focused on therapeutic area depth and trial history, and then advances to a panel with medical, regulatory, and operations stakeholders. A final stage often includes a case presentation where candidates outline a clinical development strategy for a hypothetical or blinded asset, followed by executive leadership alignment.
Where can I find and apply to director of clinical development jobs?
You can find and apply to director of clinical development jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your therapeutic area and phase experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 191+ Director of Clinical Development Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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