Executive Director, Clinical Lead/Asset Lead, Early Development – MD

Syndax Pharmaceuticals is looking for an Executive Director, Clinical Lead/Asset Lead, Early Development – MD

 

At Syndax, we are determined to realize a future in which people with cancer live longer and better than ever before. Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies.

  

The Role: 

Syndax is seeking an Executive Director, Clinical Lead / Asset Lead, Early Development - MD to provide integrated clinical and program leadership for a promising oncology asset advancing toward IND next year. This is a dual-role position in which the individual will serve as both the clinical lead and interim asset lead during the formative stages of development. The successful candidate will be accountable for the overall asset strategy including longer term vision, as well as designing and executing the clinical development strategy and advancing the program from pre-IND through Phase 1-2 development.

The role requires a highly strategic and collaborative leader who can integrate scientific, clinical, regulatory, operational, and commercial perspectives to maximize asset value and enable rapid, effective decision-making. This individual will work closely with senior leadership and represent the program across the organization.

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Clinical Leadership
• Lead development of the overall clinical strategy and clinical development plan for the asset from pre-IND through early clinical development.
• Provide medical and scientific leadership for IND-enabling activities, regulatory interactions, first-in-human study design, dose escalation strategy, and expansion cohort planning.
• Chair and lead the Clinical Sub-Team (CST), ensuring alignment on study objectives, timelines, execution, and data interpretation.
• Drive generation of clinical evidence and translational insights needed to support key development decisions, including candidate indications, patient selection strategies, and proof-of-concept.
• Represent the program in interactions with investigators, key opinion leaders, regulators, and external partners.
• Asset Leadership
• Lead the cross-functional Asset Strategy Team (AST), ensuring alignment on program objectives, milestones, risks, and resource requirements.
• Develop and maintain an integrated asset strategy, incorporating clinical, regulatory, translational, commercial, and competitive considerations.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision making, proactively identify development risks, and drive mitigation and contingency planning.
• Communicate program status, key decisions, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership and governance committees.
• Partner with Commercial, Regulatory, Clinical Operations, Translational Medicine, Biometrics, and Medical Affairs to define the Target Product Profile and overall value proposition.
• Leadership & Collaboration
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence.
• Build strong relationships across functions and effectively influence without formal authority.
• Serve as a visible champion for the asset internally and externally. 

 

Desired Experience/Education and Personal Attributes: 

• MD required; Hematology/Oncology specialization and/or clinical experience in that area strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience leading oncology clinical development programs.
• Demonstrated experience advancing programs through pre-IND, IND submission, and Phase 1 clinical development.
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic decisions in a matrix environment.
• Strong understanding of oncology drug development, translational medicine, regulatory strategy, and early clinical study execution.
• Experience designing and interpreting first-in-human and dose expansion studies.
• Ability to integrate scientific, clinical, operational, and business considerations into development strategy.
• Strong communication and executive presence, with experience presenting to governance committees, senior leadership, investigators, and external stakeholders.
• Prior asset leadership experience is a plus but not required.
• Experience in later-stage development, including global pivotal strategy is highly desirable. 

 

Location: Syndax’s corporate office is in New York, NY.

Syndax offers a total compensation and rewards package that is among the most competitive in the industry. Base pay is just one element of our package and is determined within a range based on several factors including market data, experience, qualifications, demonstrated skills, relevant education or training, travel requirements and internal equity. Our overall package also includes an equity offering, annual target bonuses, and an outstanding benefits program. The anticipated annualized salary range for this role is $390,000 - $420,000.

 

About Syndax:
Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative cancer therapies. Highlights of the Company’s pipeline include a menin inhibitor for R/R acute leukemia and a monoclonal antibody that blocks the CSF-1 receptor for chronic graft-versus-host disease. Fueled by our commitment to reimagining cancer care, Syndax is working to unlock the full potential of its pipeline and is conducting several clinical trials across the continuum of treatment. For more information, please visit www.syndax.com/ or follow the Company on X and LinkedIn.

 

Syndax Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

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