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Senior Director, Clinical Science Liaisons

South San Francisco, CA

Pliant Therapeutics is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies for fibrotic diseases. Founded by Third Rock Ventures with world-renowned academic thought leaders, Pliant is raising the bar to meet the unmet medical needs of physicians, patients and families impacted by fibrotic diseases. As the leader in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic diseases, Pliant is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically designed to impact the fibrotic process.

The Company’s lead product candidate, bexotegrast (PLN-74809), is an oral small molecule, selective inhibitor of the αvβ1 and αvβ6 integrins that play a key role in multiple fibrotic pathways. Bexotegrast has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency in IPF and PSC. Pliant is currently conducting BEACON-IPF, a Phase 2b/3 trial of bexotegrast for the treatment of IPF. 

Pliant is conducting a Phase 1 study for its third clinical program, PLN-101095, a small molecule, dual-selective inhibitor of αvß8 and αvß1 integrins, that is being developed for the treatment of solid tumors. The Company also has discovery and development programs in oncology and muscular dystrophies.

Description

The Senior Director, Clinical Science Liaisons, is a key role within Pliant’s Development Operations team and will be responsible for program and team oversight, and co-developing strategic plans to provide non-promotional clinical, educational, and study support across Pliant’s development portfolio. The Senior Director, Clinical Science Liaisons, reports to the Vice President, Clinical Operations.

This is a field-base or local position (South San Francisco).

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a people leader for the global clinical science liaison team, training and empowering the team to co-develop, manage, and implement strategic plans to support clinical trial education, recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
  • Provide global functional leadership, creating effective processes and engagement plans that are customized as needed for global regions and delegating team tasks as applicable.
  • Lead budget review, negotiation, and payment approvals for functional service provision of CSLs supporting Pliant’s development portfolio.
  • Develop training materials and instructions to support CSL team actions and responsibilities.
  • Develop clinical site engagement communications and presentations for site initiation, office visits, investigator meetings, advisory boards to enhance current and future clinical trial awareness.
  • Identify and communicate key clinical trial issues and insights to the VP, Clinical Operations, and any other appropriate functional stakeholders to help influence clinical trial execution including, but not limited to, site identification, site start-up, patient screening and recruitment, and patient retention.
  • Oversee and drive the CSLs’ education, analysis, and resolution of issues with clinical study sites and investigators to support efforts to improve recruitment and activation timelines
  • Collaborate with Development Operations, Clinical Development, and external stakeholders to support clinical needs and monitor study performance and progress.
  • Facilitate identification of clinical trial site and community educational needs for Pliant clinical trials.
  • Attends scientific and medical congresses, and professional conferences.
  • Participate in Pliant community outreach and engagement activities.
  • Maintain business and clinical knowledge of the treatment landscape including current treatment strategies, current and pending competitors, and new therapeutic developments.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, abilities, and prior experience required.

  • Advanced degree or equivalent (e.g., PA/MPH/DO/MD/PharmD/PhD) with approximately 3-4 years of clinical trial and/or R&D experience, including 12+ years in a CTL, CSL, MSL, or comparable position
  • 8+ years of experience managing direct reports, demonstrating effective teamwork, proven leadership, and hands-on coaching and management.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%, including travel to South San Francisco headquarters at least 6 times/year and for key departmental and/or company meetings, as needed
  • Working knowledge of protocol and clinical drug development processes, clinical study design, study planning and management, and monitoring data
  • Track record of demonstrating solid "leadership behaviors"
  • Well-developed interpersonal and people-management skills, as well as effective communication
  • High attention to detail and the capability to understand the "overarching" perspective
  • Established capacity to define priorities and manage several demands simultaneously
  • Ability to analyze critically and practice resourcefulness and initiative
  • Ability to work independently while demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and adept judgment
  • Comfortable working at all levels of the organization, including senior stakeholders
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
  • Ability to demonstrate Pliant’s values

Pliant requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated prior to the first date of employment (subject to any legally required exemptions).

The annual base salary for this role is $280K – $290K. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Pliant’s compensation package also includes benefits, equity, and annual target bonus for fulltime positions.

 

To understand how Pliant complies with and manages your personal information with respect to the California Consumer Privacy Act, please visit https://pliantrx.com/ccpa-applicant-and-staff-privacy-notice/. 

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