Demo

Clinical Program Leader (CPL)

Novartis Group Companies
Cambridge, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 10/9/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/9/2026

Job Description Summary

Location: Cambridge, MA. Hybrid
May consider DWA, but candidates local to onsite preferred
#LI-Hybrid

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).


Job Description

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

Qualifications:

Education:

MD or DO degree

Board-certification in an oncology specialty and PhD-level science are preferred

Languages:

Fluent English - Oral and written

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
  • 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

Novartis 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.


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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com 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.


Salary Range

$248,500.00 - $461,500.00


Skills Desired

Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Protocols, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Decision Making, Drug Development, Health Sciences, Medical Strategy (Inactive), Regulatory Compliance
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

 

Salary : $248,500 - $461,500

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Clinical Program Leader (CPL)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Clinical Program Leader (CPL) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$119,588 - $195,537
Income Estimation: 
$215,108 - $309,517
Income Estimation: 
$278,973 - $420,535
Income Estimation: 
$87,704 - $110,366
Income Estimation: 
$120,989 - $162,093
Income Estimation: 
$74,806 - $91,633
Income Estimation: 
$71,928 - $87,026
Income Estimation: 
$145,337 - $174,569
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Novartis Group Companies

  • Novartis Group Companies Cambridge, MA
  • Job Description Summary The Novartis Strategy & Growth, Therapeutic Area Strategy team for Neuroscience is seeking a new Therapeutic Area Strategy Director... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Novartis Group Companies East Hanover, NJ
  • Job Description Summary #LI-Remote This is a field-based and remote opportunity supporting key accounts in an assigned geography. Novartis is unable to off... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Novartis Group Companies East Hanover, NJ
  • Job Description Summary #LI-Remote This is a field-based and remote opportunity supporting key accounts in an assigned geography. Novartis is unable to off... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Novartis Group Companies East Hanover, NJ
  • Job Description Summary Job Description Summary #LI-Remote This is a field-based and remote opportunity supporting key accounts in an assigned geography. N... more
  • 14 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Clinical Program Leader (CPL) jobs in the Cambridge, MA area that may be a better fit.

  • Novartis Cambridge, MA
  • Summary Location: Cambridge, MA. Hybrid May consider DWA, but candidates local to onsite preferred Experience will determine which level 6 (Senior CPL or C... more
  • Just Posted

  • CSL Waltham, MA
  • Work Environment This is a hybrid position based onsite at any of the posted locations with a minimum of 3 days onsite weekly. Relocation assistance and vi... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!