Senior Director, Clinical Development (CNS)

Piper Companies is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Development (CNS) to provide strategic portfolio leadership across complex global clinical development programs within a leading Clinical Research Organization (CRO). The Senior Director will oversee high-profile CNS portfolios, drive client success, support commercial growth initiatives, and lead cross-functional teams responsible for delivering exceptional clinical development outcomes.

Location: Remote

Work Arrangement: Fully Remote with occasional travel for sponsor governance meetings, bid defenses, and leadership initiatives.

Responsibilities of the Senior Director, Clinical Development (CNS):

• Provide executive oversight for multiple global CNS clinical development programs and portfolios.

• Serve as a strategic partner to sponsor leadership teams and executive stakeholders.

• Lead portfolio governance, resource planning, risk management, and strategic program execution activities.

• Support business development initiatives including proposal strategy, bid defenses, and client presentations.

• Maintain accountability for portfolio performance, quality, timelines, financial metrics, and client satisfaction.

• Oversee financial forecasting, budget performance, profitability, and KPI tracking across assigned programs.

• Lead and mentor Project Directors, Program Leaders, and Project Management teams.

• Partner with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Biometrics, Regulatory Affairs, and Medical teams to ensure successful delivery of global clinical programs.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen sponsor relationships and expand strategic accounts.

• Drive organizational excellence through leadership development, coaching, and succession planning initiatives.

Requirements of the Senior Director, Clinical Development (CNS):

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Life Sciences, Clinical Research, or a related field.

• 15+ years of experience in clinical research, including 10+ years in project management, portfolio management, or clinical development leadership roles.

• Deep expertise within CNS clinical development.

• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO environments strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of clinical trials, drug development, and regulatory requirements including ICH-GCP.

• Proven experience leading large, complex clinical development programs and global cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated success managing executive-level client relationships and stakeholder governance.

• Strong business development experience including proposal strategy, bid defenses, account growth, and client retention.

• Proven people leadership experience managing Directors, Project Managers, and portfolio leadership teams.

• Financial management experience including budget ownership, forecasting, profitability, and KPI oversight.

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance client success, operational excellence, and organizational growth.

Compensation for the Senior Director, Clinical Development (CNS):

• Salary Range: $260,000 - $380,000 base salary

• Target Bonus: 25%

• Full Comprehensive Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO, Paid Holidays, and Retirement Benefits

• Executive Leadership Opportunity within a Growing Global CRO

Keywords:

Senior Director Clinical Development, CNS, Clinical Development Leadership, Clinical Research, CRO, Neurology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Portfolio Management, Clinical Operations, Project Management, Global Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Sponsor Management, Business Development, Program Management, Clinical Development Programs, ICH-GCP, Pharmaceutical Research, Biotechnology, Executive Leadership, CNS Therapeutic Area

This job opens for applications on 11/03/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

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