Director, Clinical Scientists

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine. Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.

• Lead clinical team in new therapeutic areas or highly complex projects including the development of multiple, complex clinical protocols, informed consents, and other study materials
• Lead, develop, and manage a team of clinical scientists, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and career development
• Set clinical science strategy across programs or therapeutic areas, ensuring alignment with overall development and regulatory objectives
• Oversee the design and execution of clinical studies, providing direction on protocols, endpoints, biomarkers, and data strategies
• Ensure scientific rigor and consistency in data monitoring, data review, interpretation, and decision‑making across studies and programs
• Guide preparation and review of key regulatory documents, including INDs, CTAs, NDAs, briefing documents and BLAs, ensuring quality and strategic alignment
• Partner with senior leaders in clinical development, development operations, regulatory, translational sciences, and biometrics to drive integrated program strategies
• Establish and scale best practices, tools, and standards for clinical science to improve quality, efficiency, and inspection readiness
• Contribute to portfolio governance, providing clinical science input into prioritization, risk assessment, and milestone decisions
• Support business development activities, including due diligence and evaluation of external opportunities
• Represent the organization in regulatory interactions, scientific forums, and external collaborations as a clinical science leader

• Ph.D. in a scientific or medical discipline; typically 15+ years of experience in clinical science or clinical development within biotech or pharmaceutical environments, including prior people leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and influencing cross‑functional strategy across multiple clinical programs or a therapeutic area
• Deep expertise in clinical study design, data interpretation, and regulatory submissions across early‑ and late‑phase development
• Proven ability to operate at a strategic level, driving decisions in complex, matrixed environments
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders internally and externally
• Experience in biomarkers, rare disease, or complex indications (e.g., neurology, pediatrics) strongly preferred
• Track record of building processes, mentoring talent, and scaling organizational capability

Salary Range: $ to $. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at  This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.