Sr. Director/Vice President of Clinical Development

Sr. Director/Vice President of Clinical Development

At Merida Biosciences, we are pioneering true precision medicines for antibody-driven diseases. We specifically target pathogenic antibodies and their cellular sources with bespoke Fc biotherapeutics engineered to selectively and completely eliminate the root causes of autoimmune and allergic diseases, and to achieve deep, durable responses while preserving essential immunity. We are looking for passionate individuals to join our mission to transform treatment paradigms across the spectrum of antibody-driven diseases.

Merida Biosciences is seeking an experienced and strategic Sr. Director/Vice President of Clinical Development to lead the clinical strategy and execution across two innovative development programs. This individual will play a critical leadership role in shaping and advancing early- and mid-stage clinical development plans, driving cross-functional collaboration, and serving as a key contributor to the overall development strategy of the company.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in allergy, immunology, autoimmune, and antibody-mediated diseases, along with a strong track record of advancing novel therapeutics through clinical development. This role requires both strategic vision and operational excellence in a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical development strategy and execution for two Merida Biosciences therapeutic programs from IND through proof-of-concept and beyond
• Serve as the clinical leader and subject matter expert in allergy and antibody-driven diseases, helping shape indication strategy and development priorities
• Serve as clinical development lead for 2 cross-functional Program Teams focused on providing strategic input into target product profiles, indication prioritization, competitive positioning, and lifecycle planning across allergic and autoimmune indications; facilitate alignment of Program Strategy across the clinical organization
• Responsible for clinical development deliverables for each Program, including design and oversight of clinical development plans, protocols, study endpoints, and clinical trial execution in collaboration with Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Translational Sciences, Biometrics, and Medical Affairs
• Serve as the medical and scientific lead for assigned programs internally and externally, including interactions with investigators, advisors, partners, and regulatory agencies
• Collaborate closely with translational and research teams to integrate biomarker and mechanistic insights into clinical strategy
• Contribute to regulatory submissions and represent Clinical Development in interactions with FDA and global health authorities
• Build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, clinical investigators, and patient advocacy organizations within the allergy and immunology communities
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure alignment on timelines, budgets, and development milestones
• Support data interpretation, safety reviews, and presentation of clinical findings to leadership, boards, and external stakeholders
• Mentor and help build a high-performing clinical development organization as the company grows

Requirements

• MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent advanced medical/scientific degree required
• 12+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience, including significant clinical development leadership experience
• Deep expertise in allergy and immunology required, including experience in allergic diseases, antibody-mediated disorders, or related inflammatory conditions
• Demonstrated success advancing clinical-stage therapeutics through Phase 1 and Phase 2 development
• Experience with biologics, antibody therapeutics, Fc-engineering platforms, or precision medicine approaches highly desirable
• Strong understanding of clinical trial design and endpoints in allergy and immunology indications
• Deep understanding of regulatory strategy, safety assessment, and translational medicine
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence across organizations
• Strong communication and presentation skills with experience interacting with executive leadership and external stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving biotech environment

Compensation: We understand that compensation is an important part of considering a new opportunity. Our goal is to be transparent so there are no surprises at the end of the process, and you can feel confident that your offer is both fair and equitable. To support that, we're sharing our hiring range for this role upfront: typically for the Senior Director level we target $245,000 to $300,000. The final offer will take into account a number of factors, including your skills, experience, location, market data, and internal equity. Along with a competitive salary, we're proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both personally and professionally.

Merida Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.