Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company developing clinical programs, with a focus on ophthalmology and related therapeutic areas. The Vice President, Clinical Development will provide strategic and scientific leadership across clinical development from first-in-human studies through registration, oversee clinical functions, drive innovative trial strategy, and build a high-performing clinical development organization.
Responsibilities
- Maintains an active, hands-on role in clinical strategy and execution, directly contributing to protocol development, study design decisions, data interpretation, and cross-functional problem solving that can rapidly and robustly assess proof-of-concept in early trials
- Provides leadership and strategic oversight in the determination of study strategy, objectives, scope and schedule to meet business needs; align the team on common priorities and initiatives
- Builds, develops, and retains a world-class Clinical Development team; establishes clear role expectations, performance standards, and growth pathways that attract exceptional talent and reduce attrition; actively mentors and sponsors emerging clinical leaders, providing hands-on coaching, stretch assignments, and deliberate succession planning to grow the organization’s long-term leadership depth
- Ensures the leadership team is kept informed of study progress and that all critical issues are appropriately escalated within the organization
- Fosters a close partnership with CMO and Medical Affairs team on all studies, from study design, site selection to KOL partnerships and BD Due Diligence
- Fosters a close partnership with Innovation Lab Leadership and help advance IL programs into Early Development and beyond
- Key Partner to BD in all due diligence for clinical assessment and development pathways along with appropriate risk assessment
- Exhibits and fosters key leadership competencies, including an innovative mindset, strong business acumen, an outcome-driven orientation, and a commitment to growing and expanding the capabilities and capacity of the team
- Drives innovation by identifying and integrating cutting-edge technologies and methodologies into early development clinical trial design
- Shapes clinical plans including timelines, budgets and oversight of clinical teams
- Represents the company with investigators, regulators and executive leadership
- Drive contributions focused on generating information that supports safe use, patient targeting, and clinical/commercial positioning
- Reviews and interprets clinical data across all development stages — with particular depth in early and mid-stage studies — applying flexible analytical frameworks and innovative data evaluation strategies to generate insights that accelerate decision-making and de-risk late-stage investment
- Serve as a senior leader, participating in the broader leadership team and guiding strategic decisions
- Actively partners with Regulatory Affairs, Translational Sciences, Operations, Medical Affairs, BD and Commercial teams to drive company and asset strategy
- Shapes and sustains a high-performance team culture grounded in scientific excellence, psychological safety, and a shared commitment to patients; instils accountability while creating an environment where bold ideas are encouraged, tested rigorously, and translated into actionable clinical decisions
- Oversees full-stage clinical development strategy — from Phase 1 through registrational trials — ensuring that the scientific rigor and adaptive thinking applied in early development translate effectively into robust late-stage programs; provides key connectivity between early exploratory work and the disciplined execution required for regulatory approval
Skills
- Advanced degree(s) in relevant field (e.g. PharmD, MD, PhD) with deep experience and demonstrated success in early clinical development
- Minimum of 15 years of biotech/pharmaceutical industry based clinical experience with broad exposure across all clinical development stages (Phase 1 through registration) and demonstrated hands-on experience designing and executing early proof-of-concept and Phase 1 clinical trials
- Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts across internal and external audiences, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams
- Established strategic leadership track record with evidence of excellent people management experience, problem solving, collaboration, and cross functional leadership
- Demonstrated track record of mentoring and developing clinical leaders; known for creating environments where high-potential scientists and physicians grow into senior decision-makers, and for building teams that consistently outperform in both scientific quality and execution speed
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute drug development strategic plans, to develop contingency plans, to provide technical and strategic advice, and to meet milestones and budgets
- Must be willing to be “hands on” and delve into details
- Travel is required – up to 40%
- Experience in ophthalmology is preferred; dermatology, inflammatory diseases or infectious diseases a plus
- Prior experience in clinical development at a start-up or small pharmaceutical company preferred
Benefits
- Bonus
- Stock equity
- Onsite gym
- Pool
- Snacks and drinks
- Occasional catered meals
- Hybrid work environment
- Remote work is an option
- Health insurance benefits
- Dental insurance benefits
- Vision insurance benefits
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days
Company Overview