New · posted Nov 1
Novartis · Pharmaceuticals
Clinical Program Lead (CPL) - RLT Focus
- Cambridge, MA
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- Senior & Principal
The role
Location: Cambridge, MA. Hybrid
May consider DWA, but candidates local to onsite preferred
Experience will determine which level 6 (Senior CPL or CPL) is appropriate after interview process based on skills and experience.
CPL: Provides strategic medical guidance and leads the development of experimental oncology agents in the TCO portfolio, beginning with PE / DC (Portfolio Entry / Drug Candidate) of preclinical development and continuing through TDP (Transition Decision Point).
Languages
Fluent English – Oral and written
What you need
Education
MD or DO degree
Board-certification in an oncology specialty and PhD-level science are preferred
Major Accountabilities
Provides strategic medical and scientific leadership and expertise to all line functions on the project team for the development of new oncology agents (e.g., small molecules, biologics, radioligand therapies) that are in preclinical development, typically beginning at the PE / DC
Creates clinical development strategies for new oncology agents within the PE/ DC to TDP timeframe. The development strategy combines the CPL’s medical knowledge with the expertise of colleagues in a wide range of other disciplines (e.g., Clinical Pharmacology, Biostatistics) to optimize the clinical development strategy. Delivers solutions within functions, across functions, and on global projects, developing independent approach to TCO strategy.
Although registration studies are not within the responsibility of TCO, the CPL must provide an early clinical development strategy that foresees and supports subsequent registration trials. Development of the Integrated Development Plan Approval (IDPA) in alignment with CPL Disease Area Leads (DALs), Development (DEV), Strategy & Growth (S&G), and Commercial teams
Lead Biomedical Research Early Program Teams (BPTs) to enable the start of clinical development and continuing through clinical trials needed to support TDP. May lead multiple global project teams
Integrates preclinical information (pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics) and interprets implications for clinical development, as articulated in the Investigator’s Brochure and First-in-Human protocol
Collaborates with clinical scientists to develop clinical protocols for TCO compounds and develop the instruments needed to implement, interpret and report them (e.g., case report forms, report and analysis plans, clinical study reports)
Applies own medical knowledge to guide the safe, ethical and efficient conduct of the trials under own responsibility. Knowledgeable in Good Clinical Practice guidelines and Novartis Standard Operating Procedures and strives to maintain compliance with them
Liaises with outside experts, investigators, and regulatory authorities in oncology, and represents own projects to those groups and authorities
Writes and reviews abstracts/manuscripts etc. for presentation/publications at internal/external meetings
Participates in task forces to support continuous improvement and other management objectives. Operational responsibility for quality and compliance
May provide informal mentorship to less experienced CPLs
Experience/Professional requirement
At least 2 years of pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience in oncology clinical trials plus the equivalent duration experience from an academic medical center. If limited or no Pharmaceutical industry experience, then comparable senior academic experience in translational oncology and clinical research
Experience within RLT preferred
Recognized as an expert in your field by external medical experts. External candidates have a substantial record of publication and international recognition
Excellent interpretation of oncology preclinical data (molecular biology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology)
Strong knowledge of the application of PK/PD and biostatistics to clinical development and clinical trials
Proven ability to analyze and interpret efficacy and safety data relating to oncology
Knowledge of GCP and world-wide regulatory requirements for clinical trials and oncology
Excellent medical/scientific writing skills
Successful track record of strategic thinking
Proven ability to develop and inspire project/line/matrix multidisciplinary teams in a global environment
Excellent personal ethical integrity and a commitment to improving the outcomes for patients with malignancies
Excellent written and oral English communication/presentation skills
Strong office IT skills
Skills Desirednice to have
Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Protocols, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Decision Making, Drug Development, Health Sciences, Medical Strategy (Inactive), Regulatory Compliance
Pay and benefits
$248,500 – $461,500 a year
Employer providedNovartis Compensation and Benefit Summary
The salary for this position is expected to range between $248,500.00 - 461,500.00 USD Annual per year.
The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.
Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
$248,500.00 - $461,500.00
Performance-based cash incentive
Annual equity awards eligibility
Health, life and disability benefits
401(k) with company match
Vacation, personal days and holidays
Where you'll work
Cambridge, MAHybridOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
More jobs in Cambridge, MAEqual opportunity, accessibility and legal noticesNovartis's statements, word for word
EEO Statement
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility and reasonable accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Job intelligence
The context around this role
Live data · November 1, 2026
Salary intelligence
How the pay compares
This role's midpoint is 90% above the US median for Clinical Development roles at this level.
This roleEmployer provided
Senior & Principal roles in Massachusetts5 roles publishing pay
Senior & Principal roles in the US11 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $248,500 | — | $461,500 |
| Massachusetts (middle half) | $176,000 | $355,500 | $360,000 |
| All US (middle half) | $177,250 | $186,500 | $300,500 |
This role: Novartis's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Clinical Development roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, November 1, 2026. Nothing is estimated.
Career trajectory
Where this role sits in Clinical Development
The general path across 263 open Clinical Development roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not Novartis's own promotion track.
Skills DNA
What this role leans on
How many of the posting's 31 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.
- Clinical trial conduct12
- Collaboration and leadership9
- Documentation and SOPs5
- GMP and compliance4
- Investigations and CAPA2
- Lab testing and methods1
- Quality systems and risk1
Regulatory intelligence
The rules behind this role
Frameworks and standards this posting's work falls under, matched from its own words, each linked to the official source.
Company hiring pulse
Novartis on Regulatory Jobs
- 17
- Open roles
- 17
- Distinct roles
- 8
- Locations
By discipline
- Quality10 59%
- Clinical5 29%
- Regulatory2 12%
By level
- Senior & Principal8 47%
- Director4 24%
- Associate & Specialist3 18%
More roles at Novartis
- View role
Executive Clinical Program Leader - Translational Clinical Oncology
Cambridge, MAVP & ExecutivePharmaceuticals$288K–$536K
- View role
Senior Clinical Sciences Trial Leader
Cambridge, MA · HybridSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticals$126K–$234K
- View role
Senior Clinical Research Associate
Remote, US - Western RegionSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticals$109K–$202K
- View role
Site Quality Head (Director)
Morrisville, NCDirectorPharmaceuticals$168K–$312K
Similar Clinical Development roles elsewhere
- View role
Global Clinical Program Lead – Neuroimmunology, Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D
AstraZenecaCambridge, MA · HybridSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticals$288K–$432K
- View role
Global Clinical Program Lead, Immunology
AstraZenecaCambridge, MA · HybridSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticals$288K–$432K
- View role
Clinical Scientist - Oncology
TakedaBoston, MA · HybridSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticals$137K–$215K
- View role
Clinical Study Physician - Oncology - FSP
ParexelRemote, USSenior & PrincipalPharmaceuticalsSalary not listed
Clinical Program Lead (CPL) - RLT Focus at Novartis
Applications close November 2. $249K–$462K a year, employer provided.