Executive Director, Clinical Program Management

Who We Are:

MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotech company that focuses on drug discovery for central nervous system disorders. We combine cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, in vivo physiology, and spatial transcriptomics to identify novel drug targets and develop effective therapies to address psychiatric symptoms.

What You’ll Do:

The Executive Director, Clinical Program Management provides leadership and direction across the MapLight clinical development portfolio, supporting programs across all stages of development. The role is accountable for portfolio oversight, functional leadership, and consistency of program management practices, strengthening the quality and effectiveness of program management across Clinical Development. The role reports to the Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and may have one or more direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Clinical Program Management function by defining standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives, and by developing the team through coaching, feedback, and role modeling to strengthen Program Management as a discipline within the organization.
• Be accountable for Clinical Program Management effectiveness across the clinical development portfolio.
• Align with leadership to deliver corporate and departmental goals and initiatives.
• Partner with Clinical Leads and cross-functional teams on program planning, deliverables, and timelines, supporting effective execution across the portfolio.
• Work with Nonclinical Program Management on seamless progression of programs from preclinical into clinical development.
• Ensure quality, consistency, accountability, and responsiveness of the Clinical Program Management function across planning, execution, communication, and governance-related processes as they evolve.
• Enable high-quality development decision making by anticipating and addressing gaps, misalignment, or inefficiencies.
• Anticipate cross-program risks, conflicts, and resource constraints, and intervene proactively to mitigate issues appropriately.

We seek these behaviors in all MapLight employees.

• You can participate and work effectively with multiple cross-functional teams.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and understand relationships are key to being successful.
• You are a leader. Teams love working with you, and you are someone who takes pride in mentoring and supporting the careers of others.
• You’re a team player who is willing to roll-up your sleeves and get the job done.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in biotech or pharmaceutical clinical development, with a documented track record of leadership across complex, multi-stage clinical programs and portfolios.
• Demonstrated success operating at both program and portfolio levels, including participation in governance, prioritization, and development decision-making forums.
• Strong grounding in clinical development principles, regulatory strategy, and cross-functional execution sufficient to engage credibly with Clinical Program Leads, functional experts, and senior leadership.
• Proven experience partnering effectively with Clinical, Regulatory, Operations, CMC, and related functions.
• Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment under ambiguity, anticipate risk, and enable high-quality development decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop Program Management professionals while remaining engaged as needed.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Fluent in written and verbal business English.