Head of Clinical Excellence & Innovation - Inflammation & Immunology (I&I)

Position Summary

The Head of Clinical Excellence & Innovation – I&I will be a pivotal leader driving the company’s clinical innovation and excellence across Pfizer’s global I&I portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer for I&I, Christian Antoni, this leader will set and execute a compelling vision for clinical program performance, leveraging technology, data, and industry-leading strategies to accelerate the development of transformative therapies in I&I. This position will be based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Oversight & Vision: Shape and drive the strategic direction for I&I clinical programs, championing the adoption of innovative trial designs while upholding the highest standards of scientific rigor and regulatory excellence.
• Team Leadership & Culture: Inspire, mentor, and develop our clinical leaders and scientists in I&I drug development, fostering an environment of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning, while championing Pfizer’s commitment to patient-centricity, entrepreneurial thinking, and data-driven excellence. This role will have direct responsibility for all physicians and clinical scientists who do not report directly to the other head’s of development in I&I.
• Technology & Data Leadership: Spearhead the integration of AI, digital health solutions, and advanced analytics to transform trial operations, enhance data integrity, and empower data-driven decision-making throughout the clinical development journey.
• Process Optimization: Proactively identify, implement, and scale best-in-class practices to streamline processes, boost operational efficiency, and build a flexible clinical infrastructure that supports Pfizer’s growth ambitions and accelerates impact.
• External Engagement: Act as a visible ambassador for Pfizer at scientific conferences, regulatory forums, and partner or investor engagements - articulating the company’s vision and cultivating strong relationships with KOLs, CROs, academic collaborators, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Safety, Operations, and Business Development teams to harmonize and advance I&I clinical strategies and standards across the organization.
• Industry Foresight: Continuously scan and interpret the evolving scientific and competitive landscape, leveraging emerging technologies and disruptive trends to inform and evolve Pfizer’s clinical strategy in I&I.

Candidate Profile

The Global Head, Clinical Excellence & Innovation will drive the vision for clinical program excellence and transformative innovation within Pfizer’s I&I division. This leader will be responsible for shaping and executing robust clinical trial performance, protocol development, and strategic leadership in a highly dynamic, patient-focused, and data-driven environment. He/she will be responsible for leading the pool of physicians and clinical scientists who perform the studies and are the pool we will recruit from our future leaders (Global Clinical Leads and Global Project Leads). The successful candidate will be a hands-on thought-leader with expertise in clinical development, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration—combined with a passion for leveraging new technologies and approaches to expand impact for patients and partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic oversight for the design, execution, and ongoing excellence of clinical programs, championing innovation across all phases of drug development.
• Lead the group of physicians and clinical scientists including mentorship, career building and effective staffing of the projects.
• Lead the Protocol Review Committee in the development, review, and optimization of clinical trial protocols, ensuring scientific rigor and regulatory compliance.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement best practices for process improvement and operational efficiency throughout the clinical development lifecycle.
• Drive the adoption of innovative trial designs to enhance clinical impact and accelerate value creation.
• Champion the integration of advanced analytics, AI, and digital solutions to improve operational efficiency and embed cutting-edge technologies across the clinical development continuum.
• Lead initiatives to enhance data quality, promote robust data cleaning processes, and uphold the highest data standards across all clinical programs.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous professional growth by mentoring and guiding clinical scientists and team members.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Safety, Operations) to align and integrate clinical strategies and standards across the I&I portfolio.
• Serve as an influential representative of Clinical Excellence in internal and external forums, including interactions with regulatory authorities, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Leverage Pfizer’s wealth of data and emerging technologies to generate new opportunities for impactful clinical trials, drug development, and patient outcomes.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, evolving methodologies, and competitive landscapes to inform and advance strategic direction.

Requirements:

• M.D. with at least 10 years’ experience leading development I&I clinical trials.
• Proven success in I&I clinical project/program management, with experience in both large pharma and nimble biotech environments.
• Deep understanding of I&I drug development, protocol writing, study conduct, data analysis, and regulatory submissions.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to manage and mentor teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in process improvement, change management, and digital transformation within clinical research.
• Experience with global I&I regulatory submissions and interactions with major regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with CROs, KOLs, regulatory authorities, and the broader I&I research community.
• Track record of leveraging data, technology, and innovative approaches to scale clinical operations and deliver value for patients.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $308,600.00 to $514,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 30.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

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