Head of Translational Medicine

The Role:Moderna is seeking an enterprise-minded Head of Translational Medicine to lead and integrate translational medicine, translational research, and clinical pharmacology & pharmacometrics into a unified, high-impact organization.This role will define and execute a cohesive translational strategy across the full lifecycle of Moderna’s oncology and therapeutics pipeline—from discovery through clinical development and lifecycle management. The Head of Translational Medicine will ensure seamless integration of biological insights, biomarker strategies, quantitative pharmacology, and clinical translation to accelerate decision-making, optimize development pathways, and maximize the probability of technical and regulatory success.This is a senior leadership role at the core of Moderna’s ability to translate its mRNA platform into transformative medicines. As a key member of the Development leadership team, this individual will unify translational disciplines to drive innovation at the intersection of Research and Development, shaping how the company makes development decisions, accelerates programs, and delivers differentiated medicines for patients at scale, while leading a large, multidisciplinary organization.Here’s What You’ll Do:Enterprise & Portfolio StrategyDefine and lead an integrated, end-to-end translational strategy across Translational Medicine, Translational Research, and Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacometrics, spanning discovery through lifecycle managementEstablish a unified framework connecting biological insights, biomarkers, and quantitative pharmacology to enable rapid, data-driven decision-makingEnsure alignment of translational strategies with overall program and portfolio objectives, including development pathways, target product profiles, and regulatory strategiesLead translational input into governance, ensuring rigorous, data-driven go/no-go decisions across the pipelineOrganizational & Scientific LeadershipLead and unify a high-performing, multidisciplinary translational organization, connecting scientific, clinical, and quantitative capabilities into a cohesive, highly integrated modelServe as a senior leader and thought partner across Research and Development, influencing strategy, prioritization, and executionRepresent Moderna’s translational strategy externally, engaging regulators, scientific leaders, and partners to shape scientific direction and advance best-in-class approaches across the portfolioTranslational MedicineLead execution of early clinical translational plans, including biomarker implementation, endpoint operationalization, and data interpretation to enable clear proof-of-concept decisionsPartner with clinical development to translate scientific hypotheses into actionable clinical strategies and high-quality study executionDefine and validate novel endpoints and patient stratification approaches to enable early decision-making and differentiationServe as a senior clinical leader in internal and external settings, including study teams, governance, and interactions with investigators and key opinion leadersTranslational ResearchBuild and advance differentiated translational capabilities (e.g., molecular assays, sequencing, immune monitoring, CDx) to enable patient selection and mechanistic insightOversee generation and delivery of stage-appropriate translational data packages to support IND readiness and early clinical developmentDrive forward and reverse translation, ensuring clinical insights inform discovery, platform innovation, and next-generation therapeuticsLead development of patient identification, pharmacodynamic, and disease monitoring strategies to support clinical entry and advancementClinical Pharmacology & PharmacometricsDrive quantitative integration of PK/PD, exposure-response, and modeling & simulation into program-level decision-making and trial designLead pharmacology contributions to regulatory strategy, including authorship and defense of clinical pharmacology components in health authority interactionsEnsure innovative application of pharmacometrics to dose prediction, first-in-human studies, and lifecycle optimization across the pipelineRepresent clinical pharmacology in governance and partner cross-functionally to inform critical dose and development decisions across programsHere’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications):Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline15+ years of experience across translational science, clinical pharmacology, and/or drug development, with at least 10 years in a leadership roleDeep expertise spanning translational medicine, biomarker strategy, experimental medicine, and quantitative pharmacologyDemonstrated ability to develop scientific hypotheses on human disease and translate this between the clinic and the laboratoryDemonstrated success influencing development strategy, including dose selection, study design, and regulatory interactionsStrong understanding of the end-to-end drug development process, from discovery through commercializationStrong publication record and ability to represent Moderna externally to scientific communityProven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and operate effectively in a complex matrix environment.Experience mentor, hiring, and growing talented scientistsTrack record of driving innovation and delivering measurable impact across a portfolioExceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex science into strategic decisionsHere’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications):Experience with companion diagnosticsLeadership roles contributing to BLAs for oncology or immunology programsDeep expertise in immunology, oncology and autoimmune diseaseNetwork of external academic expertsPay & BenefitsAt Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needsA holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health supportFamily planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy supportGenerous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdownSavings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the futureLocation-specific perks and extrasThe salary range for this role is $272,200.00 - $490,100.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.About ModernaSince our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. Our Working Model As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment. Equal OpportunitiesModerna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. AccommodationsWe’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at  Export Control Notice This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Only U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are currently eligible to access such information without an export license. Candidates who do not meet these criteria may still be considered, contingent on the company’s ability to obtain any required export control license. #LI-AG2-SummaryLocation: Cambridge, Massachusetts; Clinical DevelopmentType: Full time Moderna