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How much do clinical development lead jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for clinical development lead in the United States is $81,196.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a clinical development lead?

A Clinical Development Lead oversees the strategy, planning, and execution of clinical trials for new drugs or medical treatments. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medical, regulatory, and commercial groups, to ensure trials meet safety, efficacy, and compliance standards. This role involves designing study protocols, monitoring trial progress, and analyzing results to guide regulatory submissions. Strong leadership, scientific expertise, and project management skills are essential.

What are the typical responsibilities of a clinical development lead?

As a Clinical Development Lead, your daily and weekly responsibilities can include overseeing the design and execution of clinical trials, collaborating with cross-functional teams such as regulatory, data management, and medical affairs, and ensuring adherence to protocols and timelines. You may review and interpret clinical data, monitor project progress, help resolve operational issues, and maintain communication with key stakeholders including investigators and external partners. Regular tasks often involve preparing and presenting project updates, managing budgets and resources, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This role requires a balanced mix of project oversight, leadership, and hands-on problem solving to ensure clinical development goals are met efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a clinical development lead?

To thrive as a Clinical Development Lead, you generally need a strong background in life sciences or medicine, experience in clinical research management, and a relevant advanced degree, such as an MD, PharmD, or PhD. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), regulatory guidelines (GCP, ICH), and certifications like PMP or RAC are highly valuable. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills help you drive cross-functional teams and manage complex projects. These abilities are crucial to ensuring clinical trials are planned, executed, and delivered on time and in compliance with regulatory standards.

What does a clinical development lead do?

A clinical development lead oversees the planning, execution, and management of clinical trials to ensure they meet regulatory standards and project timelines. They coordinate with cross-functional teams, analyze data, and ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Strong project management skills and knowledge of clinical research processes are essential for this role.
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Clinical Development Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Clinical Development Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,196 per year, or $39 per hour.

Executive Director, Clinical Development Lead

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals

Lexington, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for diseases with unmet need, with a focus on cardiovascular indications. With deep expertise in immunology and inflammation, Kiniksa is advancing a growing portfolio of approved and investigational medicines, anchored by its lead product, ARCALYST®, the first and only FDA-approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis. Grounded in rigorous science and bold innovation, the company fosters a highly collaborative, patient-first culture led by accomplished life sciences leaders. At Kiniksa, talented individuals are trusted and empowered to make a real impact-shaping the future of medicine while improving the lives of patients who need it most.
We are seeking a Clinical Development Lead (CDL) reporting to the Chief Medical Officer to oversee and drive strategic planning, execution, and oversight of clinical development programs across one or more assets. This role provides medical and scientific leadership to ensure the successful design, implementation, and interpretation of clinical studies, working cross-functionally to advance compounds from early development through regulatory approval.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a hands-on understanding of the operational complexities of drug development and is eager to bring therapies to patients with a sense of urgency.
This role is based in our Lexington, MA office and requires employees to be onsite five days per week.
Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):
  • Serve as the clinical lead on cross-functional development program teams to develop and execute the overall clinical development strategy for assigned programs, in collaboration with key stakeholders and leadership, while providing scientific and medical input into target product profiles, development plans, and lifecycle strategies.
  • Lead the development of clinical trial design and strategies based on the scientific rationale and development and program objectives, including development of study protocols, investigator brochures, and clinical study reports.
  • Partner closely with Clinical Operations to execute on clinical trials, including study execution, recruitment and enrollment, development of study specific management plans and materials, and data management activities.
  • Collaborate with Program Management, Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Data Management, Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Affairs, and Medical Affairs to ensure high-quality study and program execution.
  • Ensure internal study teams, investigators and site personnel, and external vendors are trained on clinical trial design and rationale, and provide support for data management activities, including development of case report forms, review of protocol deviations, and resolution issues.
  • Support medical monitors in evaluating safety data, including review of safety reports, contribution to risk assessment and mitigation plans, and interfacing with investigators as applicable.
  • Lead preparation for and serve as medical representative for Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs), Safety Review Committees (SRC), or similar safety data review boards.
  • Contribute to development of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND/CTAs), participate in health authority agency interactions (e.g., FDA/EMA), and engage with thought leaders and investigators.
  • Provide clinical insights to support business development, licensing, and due diligence activities.
  • Drive a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
  • Ensure activities are executed in accordance with regulatory requirements, ICH/GCP guidance, and company standards.

Standout Skills for Impact:
  • Deep clinical experience in clinical trial design and ability to clearly articulate scientific concepts.
  • Proven cross-functional leadership driving alignment and results.
  • Strong ability to build credibility and influence external stakeholders, including scientific and thought leaders.
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills across diverse audiences.
  • Translates strategy into effective, actionable plans and delivers with impact.

Qualifications and Experience:
  • MD, PhD, or PharmD in a relevant life sciences discipline
  • Minimum 8-12+ years of experience in clinical research and drug development within biotech/pharma
  • Demonstrated experience leading clinical programs and interacting with regulatory authorities, including successful submissions of IND/CTAs
  • Strong understanding of clinical trial design, including endpoint development, patient selection criteria, statistical analyses, sponsor oversight responsibilities, and regulatory requirements.
  • Experience across multiple phases of development
  • Strategic thinking and decision-making ability.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation decisions are based on objective criteria including role responsibilities, experience/qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and external market benchmarks.
Pay Range
$315,000-$370,000 USD
Kiniksa is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, genetics, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or any other legally protected category. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Kiniksa does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without a signed agreement will be considered property of Kiniksa, and no fees will be paid.

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