Medical Director, Rheumatology Clinical Development

Medical Director, Rheumatology – Clinical Development Position Summary An innovative biotechnology organization focused on immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases is seeking an experienced Rheumatologist to serve as Medical Director within Clinical Development. This physician leader will play a critical role in advancing therapeutic programs from early development through late-stage clinical studies by providing strategic medical leadership, scientific expertise, and cross-functional collaboration. The position requires deep knowledge of rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, strong clinical judgment, and experience contributing to drug development programs in biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings. Key Responsibilities Provide medical leadership for rheumatology and immunology clinical development programs. Lead the clinical strategy and execution of Phase I–IV clinical trials in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Author and review clinical protocols, investigator brochures, clinical study reports, safety narratives, and regulatory documents. Collaborate with translational medicine and biomarker teams to integrate precision medicine strategies into development programs. Serve as the medical monitor for clinical studies, including safety review and adverse event assessment. Interpret and communicate clinical data to internal stakeholders, investigators, regulatory agencies, and external partners. Support interactions with regulatory authorities, ethics committees, and institutional review boards. Develop relationships with key opinion leaders, investigators, academic collaborators, and advocacy organizations in rheumatology. Contribute to publication strategy, scientific presentations, and congress activities. Partner closely with clinical operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical affairs, and research teams. Monitor competitive landscape, emerging therapies, and scientific advancements relevant to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Provide strategic input for indication selection, lifecycle planning, and portfolio development. Qualifications MD or DO or PharmD with board certification in Rheumatology. Active medical license preferred. Minimum of 5–8 years of clinical experience in rheumatology and/or biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience. Prior experience in clinical development, medical monitoring, or translational medicine strongly preferred. Strong understanding of autoimmune disease biology, immunology, and inflammatory pathways. Experience designing and managing clinical trials in rheumatologic or immunologic diseases. Familiarity with FDA, EMA, ICH-GCP, and global regulatory requirements. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex clinical and scientific data. Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. Preferred Experience Rheumatoid arthritis Lupus and systemic autoimmune diseases Fibrotic and inflammatory disorders Biologic therapies and immune-targeted treatments Biomarker and translational research integration Early-stage biotechnology or emerging therapeutic platforms Leadership Competencies Strategic scientific thinking Collaborative leadership Strong medical and ethical judgment Data-driven decision making Effective stakeholder engagement Adaptability and innovation mindset Work Environment Highly collaborative and mission-driven culture Opportunity to shape Client therapies in immunology and inflammation Cross-functional engagement with research and executive leadership Hybrid or remote work flexibility based on organizational needs