Olema Oncology logo
Olema Oncology
Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid

Medical Director, Clinical Development

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$275k-$300k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 30m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the standard of care and improving outcomes for patients living with breast cancer and beyond. With our transformation into a fully integrated oncology company well underway, it’s an exciting time to be part of Team Olema.

Our lead product candidate, palazestrant, is a novel, orally available complete estrogen receptor antagonist (CERAN) and selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) currently in two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials.

We expect top-line data from OPERA-01, our ongoing Phase 3 trial of palazestrant as a monotherapy in patients with second- or third-line ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC), in Q1 2027 which, if positive, could lead to our first potential approval and commercial launch in 2028.

OPERA-02, our Phase 3 trial of palazestrant in combination with ribociblib in patients with frontline ER+/HER2- MBC, is enrolling patients.

Together with its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic properties, and the potential to demonstrate activity in both ESR1 wild-type and mutant tumors, palazestrant could transform the metastatic breast cancer treatment paradigm and provide access to a $15 billion global market opportunity.

Our follow-on product candidate, OP-3136, is a potent KAT6 inhibitor with the potential to generate further value and meaningfully impact the metastatic breast cancer treatment landscape – particularly in combination with palazestrant. We recently presented encouraging Phase 1 monotherapy data from this program across multiple solid tumor types, are advancing patient enrollment in the ongoing combination arms in MBC, and expect to initiate a Phase 1 study of OP-3136 in combination with Bayer’s darolutamide in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by the end of this year.

Aspiring to transform the metastatic treatment paradigm is an ambitious endeavor that requires a resolute approach to developing better therapies and passionate colleagues dedicated to helping the patients we serve feel better, longer.

Team Olema possesses a deep commitment to a shared purpose, the sustained pursuit of excellence, cultivating the courage required to advance our programs, the drive to succeed, and a collective capacity for adaptability through learning, growth, and evolution.

We are a small group of nimble self-starters who bring consistency in our quest for the extraordinary every single day.

If you’re ready to be part of a tenacious, courageous, agile, and growing team, join us in making a profound impact, together – for our patients, for your career, and for what’s beyond.

About the Role >>> Medical Director, Clinical Development

As the Medical Director, you will serve as an Oncology Physician for palazestrant and play a pivotal role in advancing Olema’s late and early-stage clinical pipeline in breast cancer.

You will contribute to registration-enabling studies by shaping study design, evaluating clinical data, and engaging with regulatory authorities, investigators, and key opinion leaders. Partnering closely with experienced physicians and cross-functional teams, you will ensure scientific rigor, data integrity, and patient-centric decision-making while contributing to biomarker development, publication planning, and external scientific communications.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute at a pivotal moment in the program’s trajectory and support the advancement of therapies for patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

This role will be based in Cambridge, MA and may require up to 20% travel.

Key Responsibilities

Provide Medical Leadership and Expertise

Contribute to registration-enabling studies for palazestrant in combination with other therapies, including study design, regulatory engagement, and investigator collaboration

Partner across functions to define and implement clinical development strategies and plans for multiple programs

Serve as the medical expert and point of contact for clinical and scientific questions across internal and external stakeholders

Participate in interactions with investigators, academic collaborators, thought leaders, and regulatory authorities

Maintain strong clinical and scientific acumen through ongoing engagement with the oncology community and key scientific meetings

Design and Deliver High-Impact Clinical Studies

Provide medical oversight and partner with CROs for the palazestrant program and ensure alignment with Olema’s values, SOPs, and ethical standards

Contribute to the development and execution of clinical protocols, amendments, investigator brochures, study reports, abstracts, and manuscripts

Ensure scientific rigor and data integrity in partnership with cross-functional internal teams (i. e. Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Safety) and CRO teams

Evaluate safety, pharmacology, and efficacy data from ongoing and completed studies to inform program strategy and decision-making

Contribute to Regulatory Submissions and Communications

  • Collaborate with preclinical and translational scientists to develop and integrate biomarker strategies
  • Support data generation, publication planning, and external communication of study results
  • Ideal Candidate Profile: Experienced Oncology Physician Leader

You are an accomplished clinical development physician who thrives on meaningful, challenging work and is motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives. You bring clinical and scientific expertise,]a collaborative mindset, and a hands-on approach to execution.

You are also eager to grow professionally, broaden your leadership capabilities, and expand your career by taking on increasing responsibility and helping shape the future of Olema’s clinical development programs.

  • Knowledge
  • MD (US Board Certified) is required

Board certification in Oncology, Hematology/Oncology, or related specialty; significant academic or industry experience

A minimum of 2+ years of direct biotech or pharmaceutical experience in clinical development, conducting clinical studies; strong Academic background may substitute

Strong understanding of breast cancer treatment paradigms

Experience

Experience in designing and managing clinical studies in oncology; strong experience as a PI or academic breast cancer expert is also valued

Thorough understanding of the drug development process and ability to translate strategy into action—meeting milestones, and adapting to change

Strong knowledge of GCP, FDA, and EMA/CHMP regulations; familiarity with other global regulatory standards is advantageous

Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed environment, influence without direct authority, and drive cross-functional alignment

Exceptional communication skills—able to convey complex clinical data with clarity and purpose to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, verbal and written

  • Demonstrated problem-solving ability with urgency, focus, and creativity
  • Proven record of participating in collaborative, high- performing teams and partnerships
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to fast-paced, evolving priorities
  • Attributes
  • Thoughtful, decisive, and collaborative leader who inspires confidence and trust
  • Systems thinker who can connect complex information, anticipate downstream impacts, and translate strategy into action
  • Strong communicator who builds credibility with internal teams and external stakeholders
  • A skilled relationship builder who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment
  • Committed to continuous learning, professional growth, and the development of others

The base pay range for this position is expected to be $275,000 - $300,000 annually, however the base pay offered may vary depending on location, market, job related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes equity, bonus, and benefits.

#LI-MK1

Important Information >>>

We provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and believe that great ideas and discoveries come from a mix of expertise, background, and experience. Olema is building a culture where the value of difference is celebrated.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants.

Please note: Olema doesn’t accept agency resumes and is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.

Fraud Alert: We are aware of employment scams where individuals pose as representatives of Olema Oncology and make false use of our company name to defraud job seekers. To protect yourself, please note that Olema’s official email addresses end in @olema.com.

Our official corporate website is olema.com; our careers page is olema.com/careers; our LinkedIn page is linkedin.com/company/olema-oncology. Please visit these links for official information from Olema. Communication from any other variant is fraudulent.

Olema does not conduct interviews via text message/messaging platforms, will not ask you to download anything as part of your interview, will never request any form of payment, provide upfront payments of any kind, and does not make job offers without an in-person interview.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an MD with board certification in Oncology or Hematology/Oncology and have at least 2 years of direct biotech or pharmaceutical experience in clinical development. A strong understanding of drug development processes, regulatory standards, and the ability to work in a matrixed environment are essential.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Regulatory AffairsScientific CommunicationFDA Regulations

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$288k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $272k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 4.2this job 4.2
Better work-life than 50% of Medical Affairs listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 225 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
Olema Oncology logo

About Olema Oncology

Biotechnology Research
San Francisco, California
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Equity
Bonus
Benefits package