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Exelixis
Alameda, California

Senior Clinical Development Medical Director

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$318k-$402k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Posted 50m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Summary/Job Purpose

In collaboration with the Exelixis clinical teams, the primary role is to lead and execute early/late stage clinical trials for oncology products in development. Participates in the design/planning of clinical studies and helps with the interpretation of study results.

Establishes and approves scientific methods for design and implementation of clinical protocols, data collection systems and final reports. May recruit clinical investigators for research studies. Responsibilities also include adverse event reporting and safety responsibilities monitoring. Monitors adherence to protocols and determines study completion.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Design, prepare and initiate study protocols and other required documentation in compliance with project plans, federal regulations, GCP and good medical practice.

  • Act as medical monitor for company sponsored trials.
  • Support project teams with therapeutic area specific information.
  • Collaborate with internal safety group in analyzing and reporting of safety data from clinical trials.
  • Analyze and interpret other clinical trial data and prepare reports for regulatory agencies and publication.
  • Interact with key opinion leaders and investigators in relevant disease specific area.
  • Ensure consistency of scientific and development strategies for oncology products in development.
  • Maintain the highest level of scientific and clinical knowledge in relevant disease specific area.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

May on case-by-case basis supervise employees, both directly and indirectly through a dotted line structure or via other subordinate supervisors.

Education/Experience/Knowledge & Skills

Education/Experience:

MD (board certification or eligibility in Oncology or Hematology/Oncology desirable but not essential) required with a minimum of 8 years of post-residency experience.

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience/The Ideal for Successful Entry Into Job

Drug development experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, or a combination of academia and industry. Note: Individuals with extensive academic experience but without experience in the pharmaceutical industry may be considered

Hands-on experience in the design, execution, and reporting of controlled clinical trials in oncology.

Participated in clinical oncology studies with molecular targeted or immunological therapies.

Understanding of basic science relevant to clinical oncology (biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology and/or genetics).

Knowledge/Skills

  • Proven ability to effectively work in a cross-functional/matrix environment
  • Uses broad expertise or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways.
  • Develops technical and/or business solutions to complex problems.
  • Identifies and implements methods, techniques, procedures and evaluation criteria to achieve results.
  • Ability to develop and maintain relationships with significant key opinion leaders.
  • Strong interpersonal, influencing, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills

Job Complexity

Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors

  • Works on abstract problems across functional areas of the business
  • Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results.
  • Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers.

Location

Alameda, CA Range for this position: $318,000 - $402,000 The base pay offered will take into account job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.

In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan.

Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.

Exelixis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others would result.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.

Exelixis is an E-Verify employer.

Working Conditions

Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and execute early to late-stage clinical trials for oncology products while ensuring compliance with federal regulations and GCP. Act as a medical monitor, analyze safety data, and collaborate with internal teams and key opinion leaders to drive development strategies.

Requirements

Requires an MD degree with at least 8 years of post-residency experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Hands-on experience in the design and execution of controlled clinical trials in oncology is essential.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification (preferred)

Key Skills

Clinical trial designMedical monitoringProtocol developmentRegulatory reportingSafety data analysisClinical researchCross-functional leadershipProject managementStrategic planning

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$360k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $325k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Medical Affairs pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

What does the Medical Affairs market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$318k–$402kMedical Affairs median $315k (middle half $285k–$338k)18 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$325k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Medical Affairs listings in California41 active274 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusCalifornia physician listings (all specialties): 31% state a sign-on bonus (median $100k) · 28% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
Medical Affairs hiring demand#6 of 28 specialtiespostings stay open a median 69 daysWeekdayDoc Hiring Index, October 2026 · 162 postings, 36 closed
New Medical Affairs listings97 in the last 30 days94 the 30 days before (+3%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Medical Affairs pay trend+4.6% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), WeekdayDoc Hiring Index; as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Medical Affairs Jobs

1 matches · ranked by pay
#1

Payer & Health Systems Oncology, Medical Affairs Director (PHSO MAD) (PA, MD, Upstate NY)

MSD · Baltimore, Maryland

$210k-$331k

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 50% of Medical Affairs listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 272 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Exelixis logo

About Exelixis

Biotechnology Research
Alameda, California
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

401k with generous company contributions
Medical, dental, vision coverage
Life and disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Discretionary annual bonus program
Stock purchase opportunity
15 vacation days first year
17 paid holidays including winter shutdown

Living in Alameda

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.20M≈ 3.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,876/mo≈ 11% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
32 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.