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Vice President Clinical Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Warman O'Brien

VP Clinical Development

Boston, MA

Vice President/Executive Director, Clinical Development - Oncology US East Coast/Boston Area Preferred An innovative, clinical-stage biotech is seeking a senior Clinical Development leader to help ...

Travere Therapeutics

Vice President, Clinical Development

$92K - $125K/yr

The Vice President, Clinical Development (Nephrology) will be the project co-lead responsible for overall clinical, scientific, and strategic oversight for Travere's Rare Kidney Disease development ...

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Vice President Clinical Development information

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How much do vice president clinical development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president clinical development in the United States is $160,591.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,000.00 and $193,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Vice President of Clinical Development do?

A Vice President of Clinical Development is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and management of clinical trials and research activities within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. They lead teams that design clinical study protocols, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and collaborate with cross-functional departments to advance drug candidates from early development through to approval. This role also involves strategic input into product development, budget management, and fostering relationships with external partners such as clinical research organizations and regulatory agencies. Their leadership is crucial to ensuring that clinical programs are scientifically sound, ethically conducted, and aligned with company goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vice President Clinical Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vice President Clinical Development, you need extensive experience in clinical research, a strong background in medicine or life sciences (often with an MD or PhD), and proven leadership in drug development. Familiarity with regulatory requirements, clinical trial management systems, and certifications such as GCP (Good Clinical Practice) are typically necessary. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and cross-functional team leadership distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for successfully guiding clinical programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving innovation in pharmaceutical development.

What are the main challenges faced by a Vice President of Clinical Development when overseeing multiple clinical trials simultaneously?

A Vice President of Clinical Development often manages several clinical trials at different phases, which can present challenges such as balancing timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements across projects. Coordinating cross-functional teams—including clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and data management—requires strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, adapting to evolving scientific data and ensuring compliance with global regulations are ongoing demands. Success in this role often depends on the ability to make strategic decisions quickly while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and data integrity.

What is the difference between Vice President Clinical Development vs Director of Clinical Development?

AspectVice President Clinical DevelopmentDirector of Clinical Development
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire clinical development strategy, manages senior teams, and interacts with executive leadershipManages clinical trial operations, oversees project teams, and ensures trial compliance
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD), extensive industry experience, leadership skillsRelevant degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD), clinical trial experience, project management skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaboration, high-level decision makingOperational focus, team management, trial execution oversight

The Vice President Clinical Development typically holds a higher strategic and leadership role, overseeing the entire clinical development process and interacting with executive teams. The Director of Clinical Development focuses more on managing clinical trials and operational activities. Both roles require relevant advanced degrees and industry experience, but the VP position emphasizes strategic oversight and leadership.

What cities are hiring for Vice President Clinical Development jobs? Cities with the most Vice President Clinical Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Development jobs? The most popular types of Clinical Development jobs are:
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Vice President Clinical Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vice President Clinical Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 67% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,591 per year, or $77.2 per hour.
Vice President, Clinical Development

Vice President, Clinical Development

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

South San Francisco, CA

$336K - $405K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and located at our headquarters in South San Francisco, the Vice President, Clinical Development provides executive leadership for the company’s clinical research and development activities within designated therapeutic areas and/or programs. The Vice President is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and oversight of clinical trials and related data generation activities in support of Rigel’s product development and regulatory objectives.

The Vice President, Clinical Development serves as a senior leader within Clinical Development, accountable for clinical trial execution, data integrity, regulatory readiness, and cross-functional alignment. The role partners closely with Biometrics, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, and Drug Safety to ensure clinical programs are executed in accordance with corporate strategy, regulatory requirements, and medical standards. The Vice President, Clinical Development contributes to portfolio-level decision-making and represents Clinical Development in internal governance forums and selected external engagements.

Salary Range: $336,000 to $405,000

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Strategy & Execution

  • Provide executive oversight for the design, planning, and execution of clinical development programs across assigned therapeutic areas or assets.
  • Lead the development and implementation of clinical development plans aligned with Rigel's product strategy, registration pathways, and lifecycle management objectives.
  • Ensure high-quality execution of clinical trials, including protocol development, data collection, analysis, and reporting in compliance with GCP, regulatory, and medical standards.
  • Oversee preparation and review of key clinical documents, including protocols, Investigator's Brochures, clinical study reports, and regulatory submission materials.

Organizational & Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Serve as a senior Clinical Development representative on cross-functional project teams, governance committees, and internal review bodies.
  • Partner with Clinical Operations and external CROs to ensure efficient trial execution, appropriate medical monitoring, and adherence to safety and quality standards.
  • Collaborate with Drug Safety to ensure ongoing evaluation of safety data and integration of pharmacovigilance considerations into clinical programs.
  • Contribute to enterprise decision-making through participation in portfolio reviews, investment discussions, and development governance forums.

Regulatory & External Engagement

  • Support interactions with global Health Authorities by contributing to briefing packages, responses, and strategic positioning for assigned programs.
  • Engage with external experts, investigators, key opinion leaders, and advisory boards to inform clinical strategy and execution.
  • Provide clinical development input to Business Development activities, including due diligence for potential in-licensing or partnering opportunities.

Strategic Contribution

  • Translate emerging clinical data into actionable insights to inform development decisions and portfolio strategy.
  • Support the CMO in shaping long-term clinical development capabilities, processes, and talent.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

  • M.D. degree; advanced knowledge in hematology/oncology required. Board certification in hematology or oncology preferred
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in clinical research or drug development (Phase 1 through 4) in an academic or industry environment; =6 years in an industry (pharmaceutical or biotech) setting
  • Experience leading or supporting interactions with global Health Authorities and contributing to regulatory strategy
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate, interpret, and communicate complex scientific and clinical data to inform development and portfolio decisions
  • Thorough knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, statistics, and clinical trial design
  • Proven executive-level leader with experience driving clinical development strategies and delivering high-quality outcomes across multiple stakeholders
  • Significant experience working cross-functionally within a matrixed organization and establishing productive scientific partnerships with external experts
  • Excellent executive communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
  • WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some travel may be required.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.