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Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development, Obesity

Neurocrine Biosciences • San Diego, CA

Not Applicable Posted April 17, 2026 Job link

Thinking about this job

Responsibilities

This role provides independent medical leadership across Phase 1–3 clinical programs and partners closely with cross-functional teams including Clinical Operations, Clinical Project Management, Biometrics, Regulatory Affairs, Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, and Preclinical/Clinical Pharmacology.
As the Program/Therapeutic Medical Lead, the Senior Medical Director is accountable for the creation and execution of clinical development plans that support regulatory approval and advance Neurocrine’s development portfolio.
This role provides expert medical and strategic guidance to navigate complex scientific, clinical, and regulatory challenges, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and efficient development of novel therapies.
Clinical Development Strategy & Leadership
Develops and leads clinical development strategies for assigned obesity programs, with accountability for study design and medical integrity of clinical trials across Phase 1–3.
Serves as the Program/Therapeutic Medical Lead on cross-functional Program Teams, providing medical leadership and clinical input into integrated development plans.
Drives execution of the clinical development plan, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, regulatory strategy, and scientific rationale.
Translates clinical strategy into actionable study designs and operational plans that deliver high-quality data and meaningful outcomes.
Study Design, Execution & Oversight
Leads preparation of clinical study synopses and is a major contributor to protocols, major amendments, and clinical study reports.
Oversees the design of data collection strategies and ensures appropriate interpretation and integration of clinical data.
Partners with Clinical Operations to oversee clinical trial execution in accordance with NBI SOPs, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and applicable regulatory requirements.
Conducts medical assessment and disposition of adverse events in collaboration with Drug Safety, and provides ongoing evaluation of benefit–risk throughout clinical development.
Cross-Functional & External Engagement
Collaborates closely with internal stakeholders to support study activities requiring medical expertise.
Engages external experts, investigators, and key opinion leaders to inform strategy, optimize trial design, and advance programs.
Assists in identification and selection of clinical investigators and serves as Sponsor medical monitor/representative.
Works with Medical Affairs and external partners to communicate clinical data and establish new collaborations.
Data Interpretation & Scientific Communication
Leads analysis, interpretation, and presentation of clinical study results to internal and external audiences.
Provides strategic direction for scientific disclosures, including conference abstracts, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
Partners with Research and Translational Medicine to define biomarker strategies that enhance early clinical evaluation and decision-making.
Portfolio & Organizational Leadership
Interfaces with Research, Product Development, and Business Development to assess new product opportunities and shape clinical research strategies.
Identifies resource needs and contributes to budget planning, personnel forecasting, and development of clinical teams.
Plays a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing clinical staff, and in identifying and managing external consultants and CROs.
Contributes to the development and implementation of clinical development policies, processes, and best practices.

Not Met Priorities

What still needs stronger evidence

Requirements

Accredited residency training required; fellowship training in Endocrinology and board certification strongly preferred.
Minimum of 4+ years of clinical experience with broad biopharmaceutical and/or CRO experience in drug development.
Experience & Expertise
Recognized internal thought leader with deep expertise in clinical development.
Comprehensive understanding of the drug development process, including regulatory, technical, and business considerations.
Proven track record providing clinical leadership for INDs, NDAs, or other regulatory submissions and interactions with global regulatory agencies.
Strong knowledge of GCP, regulatory procedures, translational medicine, biomarker development, study design, biostatistics, and data interpretation.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional, matrixed teams and managing external CROs and vendors, particularly in small or agile organizations.
Experience driving program strategy from early development through late-stage execution.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable plans and deliver results.
Strong mentoring and people leadership skills, with experience leading direct and indirect teams.
Highly collaborative with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to influence across functions and externally.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Flexible, adaptable, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated project management capability and attention to detail.
Proficiency with standard business and clinical documentation tools (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and archiving systems).

Preferred Skills

Accredited residency training required; fellowship training in Endocrinology and board certification strongly preferred.

Education

(Not required) – Education
(Not required) – MD or DO (or equivalent) in a relevant clinical specialty.
(Required) – Accredited residency training required; fellowship training in Endocrinology and board certification strongly preferred.

Who We Are
At Neurocrine Biosciences, we pride ourselves on having a strong, inclusive, and positive culture based on our shared purpose and values. We know what it takes to be great, and we are as passionate about our people as we are about our purpose - to relieve suffering for people with great needs.
What We Do
Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading neuroscience-focused, biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids,* as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X and Facebook. ( *in collaboration with AbbVie )
About The Role
The Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development will serve as a key medical and scientific leader responsible for defining and executing clinical development strategies for Neurocrine’s obesity pipeline. This role provides independent medical leadership across Phase 1–3 clinical programs and partners closely with cross-functional teams including Clinical Operations, Clinical Project Management, Biometrics, Regulatory Affairs, Drug Safety, Translational Medicine, and Preclinical/Clinical Pharmacology.
As the Program/Therapeutic Medical Lead, the Senior Medical Director is accountable for the creation and execution of clinical development plans that support regulatory approval and advance Neurocrine’s development portfolio. This role provides expert medical and strategic guidance to navigate complex scientific, clinical, and regulatory challenges, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and efficient development of novel therapies.
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Your Contributions (include, But Are Not Limited To)
Clinical Development Strategy & Leadership

Develops and leads clinical development strategies for assigned obesity programs, with accountability for study design and medical integrity of clinical trials across Phase 1–3.
Serves as the Program/Therapeutic Medical Lead on cross-functional Program Teams, providing medical leadership and clinical input into integrated development plans.
Drives execution of the clinical development plan, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, regulatory strategy, and scientific rationale.
Translates clinical strategy into actionable study designs and operational plans that deliver high-quality data and meaningful outcomes.
Study Design, Execution & Oversight

Leads preparation of clinical study synopses and is a major contributor to protocols, major amendments, and clinical study reports.
Oversees the design of data collection strategies and ensures appropriate interpretation and integration of clinical data.
Partners with Clinical Operations to oversee clinical trial execution in accordance with NBI SOPs, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and applicable regulatory requirements.
Conducts medical assessment and disposition of adverse events in collaboration with Drug Safety, and provides ongoing evaluation of benefit–risk throughout clinical development.
Cross-Functional & External Engagement

Collaborates closely with internal stakeholders to support study activities requiring medical expertise.
Engages external experts, investigators, and key opinion leaders to inform strategy, optimize trial design, and advance programs.
Assists in identification and selection of clinical investigators and serves as Sponsor medical monitor/representative.
Works with Medical Affairs and external partners to communicate clinical data and establish new collaborations.
Data Interpretation & Scientific Communication

Leads analysis, interpretation, and presentation of clinical study results to internal and external audiences.
Provides strategic direction for scientific disclosures, including conference abstracts, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
Partners with Research and Translational Medicine to define biomarker strategies that enhance early clinical evaluation and decision-making.
Portfolio & Organizational Leadership

Interfaces with Research, Product Development, and Business Development to assess new product opportunities and shape clinical research strategies.
Identifies resource needs and contributes to budget planning, personnel forecasting, and development of clinical teams.
Plays a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing clinical staff, and in identifying and managing external consultants and CROs.
Contributes to the development and implementation of clinical development policies, processes, and best practices.
Requirements
Education

MD or DO (or equivalent) in a relevant clinical specialty.
Accredited residency training required; fellowship training in Endocrinology and board certification strongly preferred.
Minimum of 4+ years of clinical experience with broad biopharmaceutical and/or CRO experience in drug development.
Experience & Expertise

Recognized internal thought leader with deep expertise in clinical development.
Comprehensive understanding of the drug development process, including regulatory, technical, and business considerations.
Proven track record providing clinical leadership for INDs, NDAs, or other regulatory submissions and interactions with global regulatory agencies.
Strong knowledge of GCP, regulatory procedures, translational medicine, biomarker development, study design, biostatistics, and data interpretation.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional, matrixed teams and managing external CROs and vendors, particularly in small or agile organizations.
Experience driving program strategy from early development through late-stage execution.
Leadership & Core Competencies

Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable plans and deliver results.
Strong mentoring and people leadership skills, with experience leading direct and indirect teams.
Highly collaborative with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to influence across functions and externally.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Flexible, adaptable, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated project management capability and attention to detail.
Proficiency with standard business and clinical documentation tools (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and archiving systems).
Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.
We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.
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The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $301,100.00-$411,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.