Director Clinical Development

Job Title: Clinical Development Medical Director (CDMD)

Location: London / Hybrid (location flexible)

The Clinical Development Medical Director (CDMD) is the global clinical leader for assigned programme-level activities and/or clinical trials, providing strategic medical and scientific leadership to ensure the successful delivery of clinical development objectives under the direction of the GPCH or Senior CDMD.

• Provide clinical leadership and strategic medical input across assigned programme activities and deliverables, aligned to Integrated Development Plans (IDP) and Clinical Development Plans (CDP).
• Lead the development of clinical sections of regulatory and submission documents, including protocols, Investigator’s Brochures, briefing books, safety updates, submission dossiers, and Health Authority responses.
• Drive execution of assigned clinical programme components in partnership with global line functions, Clinical Trial Heads (CTHs), and regional medical teams.
• Provide medical oversight of clinical trials, acting as medical monitor where required, and contribute to data interpretation, Clinical Study Reports (CSRs), publications, and internal/external presentations.
• Support overall benefit–risk assessment and safety monitoring, contributing to Safety Management Teams (SMTs) and safety deliverables such as PSURs, DSURs, and other regulatory safety reports in collaboration with Patient Safety.
• Contribute medical expertise to IDP/CDP and Clinical Trial Protocol (CTP) reviews, and support development of disease-area clinical standards.
• Represent the organisation as a medical and scientific expert in interactions with regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, data monitoring committees, advisory boards, and patient advocacy groups.
• Support early development activities, including pre-Proof of Concept to Development Decision Point transitions, and provide medical input to Business Development & Licensing activities and due diligence as required.
• Lead, mentor, and develop clinical colleagues and programme reports, supporting performance management, talent planning, onboarding, and training.
• Contribute to medical and scientific training across the organisation and may act as a speaker for franchise or therapeutic-area training initiatives.
• Participate in or lead global initiatives such as process improvement, SOP development, training, and other Clinical Development function activities.
• Where assigned, act as Clinical Scientific Lead for individual clinical trials, providing end-to-end clinical leadership.

• ≥5 years’ experience in clinical research or global drug development (academic or industry), spanning Phases I–IV.
• ≥3 years’ experience leading or contributing to global clinical trials in a pharmaceutical industry, matrixed environment; late-phase development experience preferred.
• Advanced scientific and medical expertise, with strong ability to analyse and interpret clinical data and literature.
• Deep knowledge of the assigned therapeutic area.
• Strong understanding of ICH, GCP, clinical trial design, statistical methodologies, and regulatory development processes.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a complex, global matrix organisation.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to shape global clinical development strategy, influence regulatory success, and work at the forefront of innovative medicines that improve patient outcomes worldwide.