The Program Leader will oversee the development of emerging neuromuscular disease programs, bridging scientific development and commercialization while managing cross-functional teams and risks.
Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.
Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.
Summary of Position:
Scholar Rock is seeking a Program Leader, Next Wave to serve as a Program Leader (PL) for our emerging portfolio of programs to address rare, neuromuscular diseases. This individual will act as the key point of contact for early-stage or "next wave" assets and drive these programs through critical developmental transition points.
This utility player must possess an entrepreneurial spirit and an enterprise mindset, capable of bridging the gap between scientific discovery, clinical reality, and commercial landscape. You will lead cross-functional teams, define the integrated development strategy, and ensure the successful delivery of projects within scope, time, and budget. You will work in a fast-paced dynamic environment with a sense of urgency, acting as a primary driver of value creation for the company’s future.
This position reports to the Head of Program Leadership and Management.
Position Responsibilities:
- Strategic Program Leadership
- Serve as the Program Leader (PL) for assigned pipeline assets, holding accountability for the development and execution of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), consisting of overall project timeline to regulatory approval
- Drive assets through major inflection points (e.g., advancing program to development, IND enablement, Clinical Phase 1 to 2 transitions).
- Lead the cross-functional Program Team (PT), facilitating high-quality decision-making and ensuring alignment across cross-functional partners and integrating across Research & Development
- Lead the definition and maintenance of the Target Product Profile (TPP), in collaboration with cross-functional partners
- End-to-End Process & Risk Management
- Apply a strong understanding of end-to-end drug development, process management, and organizational interdependencies to anticipate challenges before they become critical path blockers and partner with the team to develop mitigation strategies
- Proactively identify, articulate, escalate, and manage program risks; collaborate with key stakeholders to recommend constructive solutions rather than just reporting on status.
- Communication & Enterprise Leadership
- Act as the central communication hub, ensuring effective and timely communication to team members and senior leadership regarding program status, key milestones, and strategic pivots.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, resolving conflicts within the team and ensuring all functions are moving in lockstep.
Candidate Requirements:
- Advanced degree preferred (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or MBA); real-world experience in life sciences is required
- The ideal candidate will have prior experience working on pre-clinical or clinical stage programs in either neurology or neuromuscular diseases.
- The ideal candidate will have direct, hands-on experience on drug development in a clinical stage program across either clinical research, biostatistics, or regulatory affairs
- Proven track record of moving a clinical-stage molecule through a major inflection point or interface (e.g., Research to Development, Clinical Phase 1 to 2, or Clinical to Commercial)
Skills & Capabilities:
- Utility Player: Demonstrated ability to flex between high-level strategy and hands-on execution with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- End-to-End Fluency: Strong understanding of the drug development lifecycle, from discovery target validation through to commercial launch.
- Leadership: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead without authority and influence stakeholders across the organization.
- Operational Excellence: Extremely well-organized with the ability to manage multiple programs and drive clarity in complex, ambiguous situations
Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Top Skills
Biostatistics
Clinical Research
Drug Development
Regulatory Affairs
Scholar Rock Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Office
301 Binney St, , Cambridge, Massachusetts , United States, 02142
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