Director, Development Strategy and Operations, Clinical Development

Company Profile:

At Verastem Oncology, we address urgent needs of patients living with cancers driven by RAS/MAPK pathway mutations, a key driver of tumor growth and treatment resistance. FDA approval of AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK delivered the first therapy for women living with recurrent KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a rare cancer with significant unmet need. We’ve launched this novel/novel combination therapy in the U.S. and are exploring pathways for Europe and Japan. We continue to advance our pipeline of drugs to help block cancer cell survival, inhibit tumor growth, and overcome treatment resistance. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of cancer care and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients. 

Position Overview

We seek a Development Strategy and Operations Lead to advance our VS-7375 program by connecting clinical insights with strategy and execution. This role leads critical projects, aligns cross-functional teams, and supports key development decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic projects: Manage high-priority projects and workstreams, defining deliverables, timelines, and ownership; coordinate contributors, manage dependencies, and resolve risks.
• Improve operational effectiveness: Drive cross-functional initiatives to increase development efficiency and manage relevant vendors, including scope, budgets, timelines, and deliverable quality.
• Monitor the competitive landscape: Track emerging data, competitor progress, and regulatory milestones; translate findings into recommendations for strategy and operating plans.
• Coordinate external communication and engagement: Partner with Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, and development teams on data disclosure, publications, congress activities, and stakeholder engagement to build oncology community awareness and support trial enrollment.
• Connect clinical insights with research: Work with development teams to synthesize clinical and investigator insights that inform research priorities, translational strategy, and future development.
• Support launch readiness and evidence generation: Work with Commercial, Market Access, and Medical Affairs to align development activities with product launch readiness and evidence generation plans.
• Drive critical decisions: Communicate key messages, progress, risks, and recommendations; facilitate decisions on priorities and resource allocation and ensure follow-through.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related scientific discipline.
• At least 7 years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology experience, or 4 years of management consulting experience focused on life sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects and deliver against timelines.
• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical R&D, clinical development, and the regulatory environment in oncology.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to translate complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including with senior leadership.
• Ability to influence across functions, build alignment, and manage competing priorities.

Preferred

• Advanced degree, such as a PhD, MBA, or MD.
• Management consulting experience and/or experience managing complex projects in life sciences.

• Oncology experience in development, strategy, or program management.
• Experience with scientific communications, stakeholder engagement, vendor management, or process improvement.