Associate Director, Program Leader, Preclinical Development

The Role:

We seek a talented, experienced and motivated Associate Director for the Preclinical Program Lead role supporting the Cancer Vaccine Research Therapeutic Area.  The Preclinical Program Lead will be responsible for defining the overall strategy for the development of the preclinical program, aligning with the company’s business objectives, to support the advancement of Moderna’s mRNA technology platform and pipeline. The successful candidate will lead a cross-functional team and will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for preclinical studies, ensuring that a drug candidate is comprehensively evaluated for safety and efficacy to support IND submission and enable clinical evaluation. The Preclinical Program Lead will report progress and findings to senior management, scientific advisory boards, and cross-functional teams, providing updates on the project status, risks, and go/no-go decisions. Experience in Cancer Vaccines, Immuno-Oncology, and/or Oncology is required.

Applicants should be outstanding team members and have extensive experience in project leadership.  The ability to effectively communicate across internal multi-disciplinary teams and with external partners is required.  The candidate will need to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving and results-oriented environment.  Experience in IND filing is required as the candidate will facilitate programs moving into Development.

Here's What You’ll Do:

• Manage multiple projects of moderate to large size and scope involving cross-functional collaboration within Research and across departments. Provide scientific expertise, guidance and strategy to successfully drive programs through Go/No Go decisions.

• Lead a cross-functional team to develop, optimize, validate and execute preclinical studies to support IND submission

• Support programs through IND filing collaborating with multiple functions within Moderna, working closely with clinical development teams to ensure a smooth transition and transfer of program data and leadership to enable Phase I clinical trials.

• Author and review regulatory documents

• Communicate effectively to discuss project progress, interpret and present data internally and externally.

• Provide expert level guidance in designing and implementing cell biology, biochemistry and biomarker related studies for immuno-oncology and oncology

• Ability to manage and supervise team members to meet project timelines

• Support scientific engagement with external collaborations. Act as a scientific resource providing guidance and mentorship to colleagues.

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

• Ph.D. with 7+ years of experience specifically in drug discovery in pharmaceutical, biotech or CRO (or equivalent experience)

• Solid background and training in Oncology and/or Cancer Vaccine Research

• Managerial capabilities such as strategic thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and delegation, good knowledge and experience in oncology research and biologics, and track record of making contributions to advance therapeutics from concept to proof-of concept in-vivo into a clinical candidate

• Familiarity with disease biomarkers

• Experience in drug discovery or translational research in a biotech setting

• Experience in IND filing required

• This role is based in our new LEED-certified HQ in Cambridge, MA and is expected to be in office 70% of the time with flexibility to work from home up to 30%.

Moderna is pleased to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:

• Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
• Lifestyle Spending Account funds to help you engage in personal enrichment and self-care activities
• Family care benefits, including subsidized back-up care options and on-demand tutoring
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes 
• Exclusive preferred pricing on Peloton fitness equipment
• Adoption and family-planning benefits
• Dedicated care coordination support for our LGBTQ+ community
• Generous paid time off, including:
  •    Vacation, sick time and holidays
  •    Volunteer time to participate within your community
  •    Discretionary year-end shutdown
  •    Paid sabbatical after 5 years; every 3 years thereafter
• Generous Paid Leave offerings, including 18 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents <