Executive Director, Clinical Pharmacology

The posting, as Kardigan wrote it

About Us

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.

It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.

Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.

We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.

At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families , we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic —leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn , we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.

These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.

About the Job

Job Title: Executive Director , Clinical Pharmacology

Level: Executive Director

Department: Early Development

Hiring Manager: Vice President, Early Development

Location: Princeton, NJ

Classification: Hybrid – On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs)

Job Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Early Development, the Executive Director , Clinical Pharmacology will provide enterprise-level strategic and scientific leadership for the Clinical Pharmacology function across Kardigan’s cardiovascular development portfolio. This individual will be responsible for defining, establishing, and driving clinical pharmacology strategies from early through late-stage development, supporting regulatory submissions, and serving as the company’s senior clinical pharmacology leader and strategic representative for FDA and other global health authority interactions. This role will partner cross-functionally with senior leaders to shape portfolio priorities, inform critical development decisions, and ensure successful development and registration strategies.

This is a highly visible executive-level leadership position requiring both strategic vision and hands-on execution within a fast-paced, collaborative biotechnology environment. The Executive Director will play a
[…]
ional strategy, manage external partnerships, and build organizational capabilities in a dynamic development environment.

• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and scientific writing skills, with demonstrated executive presence and the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting cardiovascular or cardiometabolic drug development programs.
• Previous experience playing a leadership role in one or more successful NDA and/or BLA submissions.
• Experience building or expanding clinical pharmacology capabilities within an emerging biotechnology company, including establishing functional infrastructure, operating models, and resource strategies.
• Familiarity with quantitative systems pharmacology approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and navigate complex development challenges with sound scientific and business judgment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kardigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.
Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.

Pay range
$255,000 — $332,000 USD