Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development - Type 1 Diabetes

About the role

Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who are passionate about delivering the possible to patients, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. We are seeking a highly motivated and hands-on Senior Director of Clinical Development – Type 1 Diabetes who has deep expertise in endocrinology, ideally with a focus on Type 1 Diabetes, to lead clinical strategy and execution for our innovative cell therapy program. This role is ideal for a physician-scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about transforming care for patients with autoimmune diabetes. You’ll report to the Chief Medical Officer.

Below is a list of the types of activities for which you will be responsible.  This list is not all-inclusive, as there may be other related tasks within and outside the Type 1 Diabetes program to which you will be asked to leverage your skills to support and contribute.

What you’ll do

• Clinical Strategy & Execution
  • Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of clinical trials for cell therapy in Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Develop and refine clinical development plans in alignment with regulatory, scientific, and commercial objectives.
  • Contribute to regulatory submissions, including IND, protocol amendments and BLA, as well as author and review clinical sections.
• Study Oversight & Site Engagement
  • Serve as medical monitor for clinical trials, ensuring patient safety and data integrity.
  • Build strong relationships with clinical trial sites, investigators, and study coordinators to ensure high-quality execution.
  • Collaborate with internal functional groups, as well as the clinical research organization and other vendors to proactively identify and resolve study-related issues.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Regulatory Affairs, Translational Medicine, CMC, Quality Assurance, Pharmacovigilance, and Program Management, among others, to ensure seamless integration of clinical insights across the development lifecycle.
  • Partner with external advisors and KOLs to shape program strategy and ensure scientific rigor.
• Innovation & Agility
  • Apply creative thinking and learning agility to solve complex clinical and operational challenges.
  • Stay abreast of emerging science, competitive landscape, and regulatory trends in diabetes and cell therapy.
• Leadership & Influence
  • Mentor junior clinical team members and contribute to a culture of excellence, integrity, and innovation.
  • Represent the company at scientific and medical conferences, advisory boards, and regulatory meetings.

What we’re looking for

• MD, MD/PhD, or MD with another advanced degree (eg MPH) with board certification in Endocrinology or Immunology; either adult or pediatric training.
• Clinical and/or Clinical Research experience working with patients with Type 1 Diabetes
• 5+ years of industry experience in clinical development, ideally in metabolic and/or autoimmune diseases, with experience working on Type 1 diabetes drug development being a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in early- to mid-stage clinical trials, preferably including cell and/or gene therapy.
• Strong strategic and tactical thinking, with a track record of driving programs forward.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative and humble leadership style.
• Willingness to be hands-on and detail-oriented while maintaining a big picture perspective.
  
  

What you should bring to the role

• Experience working with patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
• Familiarity with regulatory pathways for advanced therapies (e.g., Fast Track, RMAT).
• Passion for innovation and improving patient outcomes through transformative science.

What you should know 

• The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $300,000 - $350,000 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

How we work together for patients

• Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
• Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity<