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Associate Director, Therapeutic Development

🇺🇸 United States

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Associate Director, Therapeutic Development

from 🇺🇸 United States

It’s More Than a Career, It’s a Mission.


Our people are the foundation of our success. By joining our growing team at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a subsidiary of McKesson, you will have the opportunity to become part of one of the largest community-based cancer programs to advance oncology treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients across the globe. We look for mission-driven candidates who have a desire to advance the fight against cancer and make a difference in the lives of patients diagnosed with cancer every day.

Our Mission


People who live with cancer – those who work to prevent it, fight it, and survive it – are at the heart of every decision we make. Bringing the most innovative medical minds together with the most passionate caregivers in their communities, we are transforming care and personalizing treatment. Through clinical excellence and cutting-edge research, SCRI is redefining cancer care around the world.

Provide scientific leadership and operational oversight for early-phase Therapeutic Development programs. This role manages Clinical Program Scientists and is responsible for driving program execution, ensuring scientific rigor, and supporting the development and advancement of research strategies aligned to SCRI research priorities. 

This position operates as a working manager, balancing people leadership, scientific direction, and program execution in support of early-phase clinical research. 

Duties include but are not limited to: 

Program & Scientific Leadership 

  • Provide oversight and direction for Therapeutic Development programs, with a focus on early-phase (Phase I/Ib) clinical research initiatives 

  • Guide scientific strategy in partnership with Physician Leaders, ensuring programs align with disease strategy and pipeline priorities   ​

  • Review and provide input on:  

    • Clinical development plans (CDPs) 

    • Study feasibility and evaluation 

    • Protocol-related scientific considerations 

  • Lead program-level discussions and contribute to decision-making across study prioritization, pipeline gaps, and research opportunities 

 

Team Leadership 

  • Directly manage and develop a team of Clinical Program Scientists (CPS) 

  • Provide coaching, prioritization guidance, and performance management 

  • Ensure appropriate workload distribution across programs and initiatives 

  • Partner with leadership on hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of CPS team members  

  • Serve as the primary escalation point for scientific/program-related challenges 

 

Program Execution & Oversight 

  • Oversee execution of key program activities led by CPS team, including:  

  • Study evaluation workflows and tracking 

  • Scientific materials (slide decks, summaries, literature reviews)  

  • Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across all scientific deliverables 

  • Identify gaps in processes and implement improvements to optimize efficiency and program outcomes 

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

  • Partner with:  

    • Clinical Operations 

    • Lead Management/Study Activation 

    • Business Development / Sponsors 

    • Physician Program Leaders 

    • Development Innovations 

  • Facilitate communication across stakeholders to ensure alignment on program goals and study priorities 

  • Represent Therapeutic Development in internal and external discussions as needed 

 

Strategic & Operational Contributions 

  • Support development of early-phase pipeline strategy and trial positioning 

  • Contribute to internal planning discussions related to:  

    • Site capabilities 

    • Study gaps and opportunities 

    • Competitive landscape 

  • Provide updates to leadership on program progress, risks, and performance 

 

 

Mandatory: The following are mandatory expectations of all SCRI employees. 

  • Practices and adheres to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement.” 

  • During your employment with SCRI, you will be routinely assigned training requirements. You are expected to complete any training assignments by the due date. 

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master's Degree required; PhD preferred

  • 7+ years of experience working in a scientific capacity within clinical research

  • People leadership and team development experience required

  • Strong understanding of oncology drug development, particularly early-phase trials 

  • Knowledge of clinical research processes (Phase I–III), with emphasis on study design and feasibility  

  • Ability to interpret and apply scientific literature to program strategy  

  • Strategic thinking with operational follow-through 

  • Strong communication and stakeholder management 

  • Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment 

  • Balance scientific rigor with execution needs 

  • Influence without direct authority across functions 

  • Adapt quickly to evolving program priorities 

This is a remote position based in the United States. Preference will be given to candidates located in the Nashville, TN area or those able to commute to our Nashville home office one day per week. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available.

Interested candidates should submit their application throughhttps://www.scri.com/careers/. Applications will be accepted through July 6th, 2026. Please ensure all required materials are included as outlined in the posting.

About Sarah Cannon Research Institute


Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) is one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. Focused on advancing therapies for patients over the last three decades, SCRI is a leader in drug development. In 2022, SCRI formed a joint venture with former US Oncology Research to expand clinical trial access across the country. It has conducted more than 850 first-in-human clinical trials since its inception and contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA in the past decade. SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are enrolling patients into clinical trials at more than 200 locations in 20+ states across the U.S. Pleaseclick here to learn more about our research offerings.

We care about the well-being of the patients and communities we serve, and that starts with caring for our people. That’s why we have a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive benefits to support physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our Total Rewards offerings serve the different needs of our diverse colleague population and ensure they are the healthiest versions of themselves. For more information regarding benefits through our parent company, McKesson, pleaseclick here.

As part of Total Rewards, we are proud to offer a competitive compensation package. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered.

McKesson has become aware of online recruiting-related scams in which individuals who are not affiliated with or authorized by McKesson are using McKesson’s (or affiliated entities, like CoverMyMeds or RxCrossroads) name in fraudulent emails, job postings or social media messages. In light of these scams, please bear the following in mind:

McKesson Talent Advisors will never solicit money or credit card information in connection with a McKesson job application.


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McKesson job postings are posted on our career site:careers.mckesson.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

by @maxrusakovic