Clinical Director, Clinical Development

Position Summary

The Clinical Director, Clinical Development, leads the clinical and scientific aspects of one or more Natera-sponsored clinical studies and is accountable for study-level clinical data integrity and patient safety. This role contributes to broader program strategy while ensuring high-quality study execution within an established development framework.

The Clinical Director drives progress on defined assignments while anticipating challenges and proactively adjusting tactical direction in alignment with senior leadership. This individual serves as a key cross-functional partner, representing the clinical development perspective internally and externally, and plays an important role in advancing research and product vision.

Primary Responsibilities

Study Leadership & Clinical Oversight

• Lead the clinical and scientific aspects of one or more Natera-sponsored clinical studies.
• Ensure study-level clinical integrity, data quality, and patient safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional study team members to ensure successful adherence to study timelines and budget, and achievement of study milestones
• May oversee the work of Clinical Scientists working on the same or related studies.
• Contribute to program-level strategy in partnership with senior clinical leadership.
• Analyze and interpret study data to identify emerging trends, inform decisions and mitigate risks.
• Anticipate probable obstacles and implement appropriate changes in direction.
• Provide clinical input into study design, protocol development, study execution, and data interpretation.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with clinical investigators and other key external stakeholders in support of the Natera-Sponsored study portfolio.

Strategic Contribution & Execution

• Receive defined assignments from manager while effectively driving progress independently within established structures and communicating regularly on milestones and challenges.
• Participate in establishing strategic plans, objectives, and tactics in partnership with manager and Clinical Development team.
• Assess risks, analyze information and communicate trade-offs in order to facilitate decisions on goals and priorities.
• Work on problems of moderate scope requiring evaluation of multiple variables and data sources.
• Exercise sound judgment within defined procedures and practices, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and other quality standards for clinical research.

Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build productive relationships with cross-functional teams (e.g., Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Biostatistics, Safety, Medical Affairs).
• Develop and maintain strong external investigator relationships.
• Represent the clinical function in cross-functional meetings and project discussions.
• Regularly interact with senior management as a representative of the clinical team.
• Represent company and departmental interests with external stakeholders.
• Lead or support partnership discussions by engaging with senior external leaders.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to communicate research and product vision internally and externally.
• Manage executive stakeholders independently within assigned projects.
• Participate in limited regulatory interactions as appropriate.

Leadership & Team Development

• May provide indirect supervision, coaching, or mentoring to professional individual contributors.
• Serve as a resource to team members and support a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

Qualifications

• MD (or equivalent medical degree) required.
• Board Certification/Eligibility in Oncology & Hematology strongly preferred
• 3 or more years of experience in vitro diagnostics, life sciences or pharmaceutical clinical development; OR 5 or more years post-graduate clinical trials or clinical research experience in the academic setting
• Typically requires 3 or more years of medical monitoring experience
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in a matrixed organization in order to measure study progress against plans, proactively communicate challenges and propose solutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of clinical trial design, protocol development, informed consent development, case report form construction, study conduct, statistical analysis, data interpretation and clinical study reporting.
• Knowledge of GCP, ICH and applicable guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to assess clinical data and identify safety or operational risks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal English communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Developing stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently while aligning with broader strategic direction.

Primary Demands and Work Environment

• Operates in a dynamic, cross-functional, matrixed environment.
• Requires regular interaction with senior management and external investigators.
• May require periodic travel for site visits, investigator meetings, partnership discussions, or scientific presentations.
• Primarily office-based or hybrid environment with extended computer use.
• Must be able to manage multiple study responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail and clinical rigor.