Director, Scientific Affairs

Director, Scientific Affairs

The Director, Scientific Affairs will provide operational and strategic oversight for scientific and clinical activities within the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's (IASLC) project portfolio. This position works with internal and volunteer leadership to develop strategies and manage the framework and direction for IASLC's volunteer committees, which serve as the cornerstone of the Society's mission to advance the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of thoracic malignancies worldwide. The Director, Scientific Affairs will serve as the primary bridge between IASLC's scientific leadership, global volunteer experts, and internal departmentsensuring that committee activities and scientific collaborations advance the organization's strategic goals.

The Director will supervise selected members of the scientific affairs staff and serve as the staff liaison to the Multidisciplinary Global Practice Standards Committee (GMPSC). The role ensures effective collaboration among IASLC's scientific committees, alignment with the organization's strategic plan, and consistent execution of committee initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a scientist or clinician (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) with a strong understanding of thoracic oncology, global research networks, and professional society operations.

This full-time, exempt, supervisory position reports to the Chief Science & Education Officer and works a hybrid schedule out of our downtown Denver, Colorado office. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Essential Functions:

• Manage the operational framework for IASLC's 14+ volunteer committees, including scientific, clinical, and cross-disciplinary groups.
• Oversee the development, progress tracking, execution, and reporting of committee two-year plans and deliverables in partnership with committee chairs, staff liaisons, and board liaisons.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and integration across committees and task forces to maximize impact and reduce duplication of effort.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Multidisciplinary Global Practice Standards Committee (GMPSC), supporting global implementation of evidence-based guidelines and clinical practice standards for thoracic cancers.
• Develop and maintain policies, governance frameworks, and operational procedures (such as nomination/appointment processes) to support consistent committee effectiveness and engagement.
• Provide mentorship and support to staff liaisons assigned to scientific committees and subcommittees.

Scientific Collaboration and External Relations:

• Collaborate with the Chief Science Officer and other senior leaders to ensure committee activities align with IASLC's strategic plan and global mission.
• Provide scientific input and coordination for IASLC initiatives such as research collaborations, scientific projects, and programs for IASLC members.
• Represent IASLC in select scientific collaborations, multi-stakeholder consortia, and global oncology networks, as appropriate.

Administrative and Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise and mentor designated members of the Scientific Affairs staff, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and professional development.
• Ensure effective communication and documentation across departments, committees, and leadership.
• Oversee relevant budgets, contracts, and timelines for committee and scientific affairs activities.
• Develop and maintain metrics to evaluate the impact of IASLC's scientific and committee work.
• Serve as a scientific content resource for association staff.
• Attend and participate in scientific activities at IASLC-sponsored meetings and events, as assigned.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Requirements:

CURRENT CV/RESUME AND COVER LETTER REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A strong commitment to the mission of IASLC and compassion for those living with a lung cancer diagnosis.
• Advanced medical or scientific degree (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) required, preferably with expertise in thoracic oncology or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in a scientific, academic, and/or professional society setting, with demonstrated experience managing complex scientific or clinical initiatives.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Experience working with international scientific committees, working groups, or advisory panels strongly preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours when required and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (5-10%) in support of IASLC business needs, as required, including attendance at the World Conference on Lung Cancer and other IASLC events.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship (U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior or current IASLC membership preferred
• International experience and multicultural sensitivity.
• Multilingual fluency and/or literacy a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of clinical research, translational science, and multidisciplinary collaboration in thoracic cancers.
• Proven ability to engage and coordinate diverse groups of global experts toward shared goals.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong administrative and supervisory abilities with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience with professional or scientific societies, including volunteer engagement and governance processes.
• Commitment to IASLC's mission of improving care and outcomes for patients with thoracic malignancies worldwide.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to interact professionally, diplomatically, and effectively with external stakeholders and co-workers.
• Sincere appreciation and respect for international cultural differences.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit/work at computer workstation for extended period.
• Ability to lift/move 25-40 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, if necessary.

Work Environment:

• Frequent virtual meetings
• Moderate noise level
• Hybrid work schedule at Denver, Colorado headquarters. Remote options may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

We believe the best solutions come from diverse teams. We strive to have an environment where everyone has an opportunity to be successful regardless of any lawfully protected status.

International Assn. for the Study of Lung Cancer