Executive Director, Program Leader, Oncology

The Role:

Moderna is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Program Leader for our Oncology programs to drive program strategy and maintain accountability of program execution in a manner consistent with Moderna’s mindsets and core values. The successful candidate will work in close coordination with the program manager to drive program strategy and delivery according to established timelines.  The Program Leader will lead a cross-functional matrix team consisting of functional representatives from clinical development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, translational medicine, clinical pharmacology, clinical biomarkers, CMC, non-clinical sciences, and medical affairs to deliver against an ambitious program strategy. The successful candidate will have experience in the successful and innovative development of Oncology programs from IND to early development and into late development.

The successful candidate can lead independently and thrive in a proactive can-do culture and dynamic team milieu to lead the clinical development activities for our innovative mRNA-based therapies for our current and emerging Oncology programs while leveraging success in those to catalyze development across the most promising programs for accelerated development. The candidate will work closely with colleagues in Oncology Development and other therapeutic areas in Moderna as needed. The ideal candidate will be a highly effective internal and external team player and terrific communicator and collaborator to ensure program success.  He or she must have excellent skills at building high performing teams and be able to exert influence without authority across many diverse functions.

Come join Moderna at an exciting time to realize the transformative potential of mRNA therapeutics in Oncology!

Here’s What You’ll Do:

The Program Leader will be involved in high-level leadership of the assigned program(s):

• Lead the cross-functional development team for Oncology programs

• Represent the program status, development scenarios, and trade-offs with senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and external stakeholders

• Align on a program direction in coordination with senior functional leaders and program representatives

• Support development of regulatory documents and Health Authority (HA) interactions

• Engage external stakeholders including KOLs and key PIs; engage advisory boards to inform an effective program strategy

• Accountable for the integrated development plan for the Oncology programs

• Lead the program team to make data informed decisions and recommendations (dose selection, go/no go decisions etc)

• Develop a realistic program budget in coordination with the program manager, finance and functional representatives; identify trade-offs

• Work with senior leadership to support late-stage development activities including clinical endpoints for registration, patient reported outcomes, and health-economics

• Provides strong scientific and project leadership, balancing pragmatism and innovation consistent with Moderna R&D strategy

• Creates, leads, and delivers continuous improvement of the R&D mission and improve productivity within each phase of development

• Model and build highly effective team behaviors to achieve ambitious project goals

• Lead the program team to solve and overcome unforeseen obstacles with innovation and agility

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

• Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years’; or MS with 10+ years’; or MD or PhD with 5+ years’ relevant experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting

• Experience in oncology drug development including the transition of novel candidates from discovery through early development.  Experience with filing and approval a plus.

• Proven track record of successful cross functional program leadership or management supporting early- and late-stage programs through regulatory milestones(IND/BLA)

• Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams; engage senior leadership, health authorities, and KOLs

• Prior experience managing or working within cross-functional project teams with timeline management and budgetary responsibility

• Must be adept at working in a dynamic and fluid environment and foster a strong collaborative spirit internally and externally.

• Strong written and oral communication skills as well as demonstrated organizational aptitude

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment.

• Exceptional problem solving skills

Moderna is pleased to provide you and