Senior Director, Clinical Science - Oncology

BioNTech is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to fill the pivotal role of Director/Senior Director, Clinical Science. In this leadership position, you will play a key role in shaping and driving innovative clinical development strategies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational drugs. With a focus on advancing cutting-edge therapies, particularly in oncology and immuno-oncology, you will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to execute global clinical studies. Your expertise will guide the creation of critical study-level and regulatory documents as well as drive continuous process improvements across clinical data collection and analysis. Your ability to foster collaboration, promote best practices, and align cross-functional processes is essential in achieving BioNTech's ambitious clinical and organizational goals.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Clinical Development Lead, develop the design of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational drug. This includes developing the study protocol, identifying patient populations, and selecting study endpoints.
• Support the Clinical Development Lead in the medical oversight of clinical trials to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with the protocol, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards. This includes monitoring study progress, reviewing study data, and ensuring that adverse events are reported and managed appropriately.
• Contribute to and/or lead the creation of study-level documents, including protocol development, preparation of clinical sections of key regulatory documents, such as Investigator’s Brochures, briefing books, safety updates and submission dossiers. Contribute to the review and writing of clinical trial documents for CTR activities, and publications (if applicable).
• Under guidance of Clinical Development Lead, address regulatory/health authority queries and ensure compliance with guidelines.
• Contribute to the development of the Clinical Development Plan, Integrated Evidence Plan and the clinical component of the TPP.
• Facilitate alignment within Clinical Development by promoting best practices and driving cross-functional process enhancements.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Clinical Science team, overseeing talent acquisition, onboarding, training, workforce planning, performance management, and talent development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including, but not limited to, clinical operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs, to ensure the successful execution of clinical development programs.
• Build and foster relationships with PIs and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in relevant therapeutic areas.
• Develop training materials to support the understanding of the clinical trial protocol and/or disease indication.
• Provide training to study team members, CRO staff, investigator staff, etc.
• Present at key meetings (e.g. SIVs, investigator meetings, IDMC meetings, etc.)
• Collaborate with medical safety and pharmacovigilance on safety evaluations and signal detection. Contribute to aggregate reports, patient narrative reviews, attendance of pharmacovigilance monitoring meetings)
• Support regulatory activities, like preparation of meetings with regulatory agencies.
• Support preparation and (if applicable) participate in study level meetings, for example Investigator Meetings, Data Monitoring meetings, and others.
• Supports and guides the development of data review strategy, ensuring that protocol-level deviations, eligibility criteria, study assessments & other aspects of the protocol are implemented consistently across the study (across countries/ sites). This could also include support for Case Report Form (CRF) development, and implementation of data capture tools.
• Oversee the medical data review and analysis of clinical trial data across a platform/indication/asset to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational drugs. This includes working with biostatisticians to develop analysis plans, reviewing study data, and interpreting study results. Work to improve the quality of reviews/ insights with an emphasis on subject safety and eligibility, data integrity, trend identification, analysis and remediation.
• Provide insights and facilitate data review process improvements, for example by identification of redundant reports, implementation of innovative data analysis processes and tools, and their continuous improvement.
• Line management of clinical science personnel inclusive of development, coaching, performance evaluations, etc.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, or nursing required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant industry experience, with a proven track record in clinical development.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing high-performing teams.
• Extensive knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and comprehensive understanding of drug development processes across Phases 1–3, with a strong preference for expertise in Oncology and Immuno-Oncology.
• Significant experience in the design, organization, and execution of global clinical studies within pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or academic research settings.
• Deep understanding of clinical data collection and reporting principles; advanced proficiency with data management systems and analytical tools (e.g., EDC systems, Microsoft Excel), including a demonstrated ability to optimize and innovate processes for continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels without direct authority.
• Exceptional flexibility, adaptability, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success working under tight deadlines while upholding the highest quality standards.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively prioritize and implement tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.to improve and accelerate processes, systems and tools and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience to work in a matrix, ability to influence without authority
• High flexibility and adaptive working style, ability to work on several tasks at the same time Ability to work effectively under high time pressure, while maintaining high quality standards
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks, and implement accordingly
• High proficiency in English (written and spoken)

Expected Pay Range (US): $260000/year to $330000/year + benefits, annual bonus & equity (bonus and equity is variable and dependent on company and individual performance). *Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Your Benefits:

BioNTech US is committed to employee wellbeing and offers best-in-class benefits & HR programs to support an inclusive & diverse workforce. Salaried/Position-Targeted Hourly Employees working 30+ hours per week are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D, Critical Illness Insurance
• Pre-tax HSA & FSA, DCRA Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance & Concierge Program (EAP) available 24/7
• Parental and Childbirth Leave & Family Planning Assistance
• Parental and Childbirth Leave & Family Planning Assistance
• Sitterstream: Virtual Tutoring & Childcare Membership
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Bereavement, Holidays (including Floating) & Year-End U.S. Shutdown.
• 401(K) Plan with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement & Student Loan Assistance Programs
• Wellbeing Incentive Platforms & Incentives
• Professional Development Programs
• Commuting Allowance and subsidized parking
• Discounted Home, Auto & Pet Insurance

…and more! More details to be shared.

Home to dozens of research institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, life science incubators, venture capital firms, and over 30 million square feet of laboratory space, Cambridge, Massachusetts has earned a reputation as the #1 life science cluster in the world. As part of the Greater Boston area, the city is often referred to as the "biotech supercluster" due to its high concentration of life sciences firms. This unique ecosystem is the result of a model partnership between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation and driving the development of new therapies, medical devices, and diagnostics. As Cambridge’s thriving life sciences industry continues to evolve, the city remains a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, poised to shape the future of science and technology.

Apply now - We look forward to your application!

Apply for our Cambridge, US; London, United Kingdom; Mainz, Germany; Munich, Germany location and simply send us your documents using our online form.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.