Vice President, Clinical Development (Oncology & Molecular Diagnostics)

Company: Natera
Location: United States (Remote, with up to 30% travel)
Salary: $350,000—$430,000 USD

Position Summary

Natera is seeking a Vice President of Clinical Development to take full ownership of the strategy, design, and execution of Natera-sponsored clinical studies. This role will establish enterprise-wide clinical trial architecture, with a primary focus on our oncology portfolio (Early Cancer Detection and Signatera MRD), and provide corporate support for Women's Health and Organ Health. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, you will be accountable for the operational health, scientific validity, and clinical utility data of our multi-million dollar study portfolio. This is a high-autonomy role for a builder adept at navigating rapid structural transitions, including our evolution from Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) to highly regulated FDA In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) and Companion Diagnostic (CDx) pharma partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Architecture & Governance: Establish and enforce portfolio-level governance models to monitor study health, enrollment, milestones, sample flow, and data readiness. Make data-driven go/no-go decisions on trial modifications, accelerations, or terminations.
• Clinical Utility Design: Lead cross-functional teams in designing high-impact prospective, observational, and decision-impact trials. Translate clinical questions into protocols that prove clinical validity, analytical validity, and decision-impact endpoints for commercial payer coverage and medical guideline inclusion.
• Regulatory & CDx Alignment: Partner with Regulatory Affairs to build clinical evidence strategies supporting FDA PMA, 510(k), and De Novo pathways. Lead intended-use claim strategy and protocols for companion diagnostic (CDx) co-development with biopharma partners.
• Operational Study Health: Direct internal Clinical Operations and external CROs to eliminate bottlenecks in site activation, sample transit, and query resolution. Implement rapid corrective action plans for under-performing sites or delayed protocols.
• Scientific Footprint & Influence: Maintain and build peer-to-peer scientific relationships with key academic investigators, cooperative groups, and guideline panel members. Author and contribute to landmark peer-reviewed publications and presentations at major oncology and diagnostic symposia.

Qualifications

• MD, MD/PhD, or PhD with equivalent oncology pivotal or registrational trial leadership experience.
• 18+ years of experience in clinical development, clinical research, or clinical evidence generation, including at least 10 years directing oncology clinical trials.
• Deep, native fluency in diagnostics: cell-free DNA (cfDNA), ctDNA dynamics, minimal residual disease (MRD), analytical vs. clinical validity, and decision-impact metrics.
• Demonstrated experience operating cross-functionally within a highly matrixed environment with direct authority over clinical portfolios.
• Proven track record of designing evidence strategies that influenced regulatory submissions, multi-site registries, or national coverage determinations.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and a strong bias for action; comfortable making critical portfolio trade-offs with incomplete information.

Our Opportunity

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, focused on oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our mission is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics standard care for earlier, more targeted interventions leading to longer, healthier lives. Our team comprises dedicated professionals from world-class institutions committed to our work and each other. You'll work hard, grow quickly, and be part of a company changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

What We Offer

• Competitive Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Free testing for employees and immediate families, fertility care benefits, pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, and commuter benefits.
• Employee Referral Program: Generous program for referrals.

Natera is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

Please note: Natera will only communicate with candidates using @natera.com email domains. Be cautious of fraudulent communications. Natera does not request interviews via text messages or ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with a recruiter and hiring team.