Chief Medical Officer

Job details

Posted Friday 07 August 2026

Location USA

Job type Contract

Discipline Chief Medical Officer

Reference 57

Recruiter Name George Seward

Chief Medical Officer

Allerton Bishop are conducting a confidential search for a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on behalf of an innovative clinical-stage oncology biotechnology company advancing a highly differentiated pipeline of first-in-class cancer therapeutics.

This is a transformational executive leadership opportunity to join a well-funded Phase I biotech at a pivotal stage of its development. With promising early clinical data, a strong scientific foundation, and significant investor backing, the company is entering an exciting period of clinical expansion, pipeline growth, and value creation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Medical Officer will provide strategic leadership across all clinical development activities. The successful candidate will shape the company's global clinical strategy, lead the advancement of early-stage oncology programmes through clinical development, and work closely with investors, the Board, regulatory authorities, and external partners to maximise the value of the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute the company's global clinical development strategy across its oncology pipeline.
Provide medical leadership for Phase I clinical programmes, ensuring high-quality execution, patient safety, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Lead the design and execution of first-in-human studies, dose escalation, expansion cohorts, and early proof-of-concept clinical trials.
Work closely with Translational Medicine and Research teams to define biomarker strategies and patient selection approaches that optimise clinical outcomes.
Represent the company in interactions with global regulatory authorities, including the FDA, EMA, and other international agencies.
Serve as the senior medical representative with investors, the Board of Directors, Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), investigators, and strategic partners.
Build and lead a high-performing Clinical Development and Medical Affairs organisation as the company continues to grow.
Provide strategic oversight of Clinical Operations, Medical Monitoring, Pharmacovigilance, Biostatistics, Clinical Pharmacology, and Medical Writing through internal teams and external partners.
Drive publication strategy and scientific communications, presenting clinical data at major international oncology congresses.
Partner with Business Development and Executive Leadership to evaluate pipeline opportunities, licensing activities, and strategic collaborations.
Contribute to corporate strategy, fundraising activities, due diligence processes, and long-term portfolio planning.

Candidate Profile

Medical degree (MD or equivalent) with specialist training in Oncology, Haematology, or a closely related therapeutic area.
Significant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience leading clinical development within oncology.
Demonstrated experience designing and leading Phase I oncology clinical trials, including first-in-human studies and dose escalation programmes.
Strong understanding of translational medicine, precision oncology, biomarkers, and early clinical development strategy.
Proven track record of regulatory interactions with the FDA, EMA, and other international health authorities.
Experience serving as Medical Monitor and providing strategic oversight across multidisciplinary clinical development functions.
Strong network within the global oncology community, including investigators, academic institutions, and Key Opinion Leaders.
Executive leadership experience within a clinical-stage biotechnology company is highly desirable.
Commercial awareness with the ability to communicate complex scientific data to investors, Board members, and strategic partners.
Exceptional leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills with experience operating in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to play a defining role in the future of a highly innovative oncology company. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Medical Officer will have significant influence over clinical strategy, corporate direction, and long-term value creation, with the opportunity to help bring transformative therapies to patients with significant unmet medical needs.

Confidential Search

Due to the strategic nature of this appointment, this search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis. Further information regarding the company, pipeline, and investment programme will be shared with selected candidates following an initial discussion and the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).