Early Development Program Lead – Cambridge

At Insmed, every moment and every patient counts — and so does every person who joins in. As a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases, you’ll be part of a community that prioritizes the human experience, celebrates curiosity, and values every person’s contributions to meaningful progress. That commitment has earned us recognition as Science magazine’s No. 1 Top Employer for five consecutive years, certification as a Great Place to Work® in the U.S., and a place on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list in the UK.

For patients, for each other, and for the future of science, we’re in. Are you?

About the Role:

We’re looking for an Early Development Program Lead to help us expand what’s possible for patients with serious diseases. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Early Development Program Lead will serve as the scientific and operational leader for one or more early-stage drug development programs emerging from the Cambridge Research team.

This individual will be an experienced leader in the translational clinical science space. Serving as the critical bridge between discovery and development, they will drive cross-functional project teams as they evolve from late-stage lead optimization through IND, onboarding and engaging development functions to ensure scientific rigor, strategic alignment, and on-time delivery of program milestones.

Our research facility in Cambridge, UK - a state-of-the-art hub on the Babraham Research Campus - is home to a world-class team pioneering a Synthetic Rescue drug discovery platform, generating first-in-class small molecule and oligonucleotide therapeutics for diseases with no adequate treatment options.

What You'll Do:

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to serve as the primary bridge between the Cambridge Research organization and Insmed's Development functions; lead and coordinate cross-functional early development project teams spanning medicinal chemistry, CMC, formulation, biology, toxicology, DMPK/ADME, translational science, regulatory, clinical, and patient advocacy.  You’ll also:

Project Leadership

• Provide strategic scientific project leadership and oversight for the cross-functional team to spearhead the definition of project objectives. 

• Lead the definition and oversee execution of the scientific strategy for assigned small molecule and/or ASO programs, from late lead optimization up to IND.

• Establish productive working relationships with CROs and CDMOs to ensure timely completion of outsourced activities, partnering with relevant Insmed functions to identify, assess, and oversee.

• Integrate multi-disciplinary data to drive candidate selection decisions aligned with the Target Product Profile (TPP).

• Facilitate resource allocation and decision-making across functions with competing priorities and timelines.

• Set ambition and define & drive project strategy through key milestones; accountable for project timeline and execution to facilitate meeting deliverables necessary for project continuation. 

• Lead identification and management of key risks across scientific, CMC, and clinical domains, including appropriate mitigation and contingency planning. 

Project Management

• Work with Program Management to develop, maintain, and communicate integrated project plans, timelines, budgets, and risk registers.

• Lead cross functional discussions to develop early TPPs.

• Facilitate team meetings, drive decision-making, and ensure accountability across functions; prepare and present program updates to senior leadership and governance committees.

• Proactively identify and communicate risks and develop mitigation strategies to keep programs on track.

• Collaborate with portfolio management to ensure alignment with corporate strategy.

• Oversee provision of updates to the Cambridge Development Program team, to ensure timely awareness of approaching project needs and approaching development milestones.

Communication & Reporting

• Author and review key program documents including early TPPs, project charters, integrated development plans, and support of any regulatory briefing documents; present program status and support presentations of scientific findings to internal leadership.

Who You Are:

You must have a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Translational Medicine, Biochemistry, or a related discipline with direct relevance to small molecule or oligonucleotide drug discovery and development.  Additionally, you have:

• 15+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, with demonstration of increasing levels of responsibility. 

• 5+ years of industry experience in small molecule drug and/or oligonucleotide therapeutic discovery and development.

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional drug development matrix teams in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment.

• A track record of advancing programs from lead optimization through IND and into FIH.

• Experience engaging with regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA) in early development settings (e.g., pre-IND meetings; INTERACT meetings) and Type B/C meetings.

• Highly effective and proactive communication skills with the ability to manage in a matrix environment by influence.

• Proficiency in building trust, inspiring confidence, clearly articulating challenges and opportunities, and bringing teams into alignment across complex decision making.

Where You’ll Work  

This is a fully remote role. It can be performed effectively from anywhere while staying connected to your Insmed team and community. Occasional travel for team meetings or events will be expected.

Travel Requirements 

This position involves occasional domestic and/or international travel (approximately 10%).

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Pay Range:

$255,000.00-347,500.00 Annual

Life at Insmed
 

At Insmed, you’ll find a culture as human as our mission—intentionally designed for the people behind it. You deserve a workplace that reflects the same care you bring to your work each day, with support for how you work, how you grow, and how you show up for patients, your team, and yourself.

Highlights of our U.S. offerings include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage and mental health support, annual wellbeing reimbursement, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Generous paid time off policies, fertility and family-forming benefits, caregiver support, and flexible work schedules with purposeful in-person collaboration

• 401(k) plan with a competitive company match, annual equity awards, and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and company-paid life and disability insurance

• Company Learning Institute providing access to LinkedIn Learning, skill building workshops, leadership programs, mentorship connections, and networking opportunities

• Employee resource groups, service and recognition programs, and meaningful opportunities to connect, volunteer, and give back

Eligibility for specific programs may vary and is subject to the terms and conditions of each plan. 

Current Insmed Employees: Please apply via the Jobs Hub in Workday.

Insmed Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please refer to our Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement on our Careers site.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Insmed is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application   or interview process, please contact us by email at [email protected]  and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Applications are accepted for 5 calendar days from the date posted or until the position is filled.