Location: Menlo Park, CA, US, or REMOTE (PST PREFERRED)

Overview of Role:

The Director of Oncology Education will be responsible for the strategic development and implementation of training programs for the company’s internal teams, ensuring that all training content is scientifically rigorous, educationally effective, and aligned with industry standards. This role requires a strong leadership presence, a deep understanding of oncology (or relevant therapeutic areas including lung cancer), and extensive experience in education program strategy and execution within pharmaceutical companies. Experience in medical affairs, clinical operations, or related pharmaceutical fields is a plus. The Director will work closely with department heads and teams to create and manage training initiatives, ensuring continuous development of staff in critical areas such as HR, medical affairs, clinical research, clinical operations and patient advocacy. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing comprehensive education programs running Summit University that equip internal teams, and stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a complex, regulated pharmaceutical environment.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Execute on Summit University / Training Program Strategy & Leadership:
  • Lead the development and execution of comprehensive, company-wide training programs tailored to Summit employees, Medical Affairs, Clinical, and Clinical Operations teams / patient education and advocacy.
  • Collaborate with department heads to identify training needs and define strategic learning objectives that align with business goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Conduct thorough assessments to identify training gaps and needs across various teams within Medical Affairs, Clinical, ClinOps, and HR
  • Drive the creation of an integrated training framework that includes study materials, exams, presentations, agendas, and performance metrics to assess program effectiveness.
  • Lead the teams with subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop comprehensive training initiatives that range from employees, Medical Affairs, clinical, Clinical operations, patient advocacy, legal, finance, regulatory, CMC and investor relations.
  • Develop comprehensive onboarding strategies customized to the employees’ position and skill levels.
  • Work with HR to develop effective education material for employee recruitment strategies.
• Develop Comprehensive Summit University Training Platforms working with HR, Medical Affairs, Clinical and ClinOps:

Content

• • Develop and design customized, evidence-based training programs that address the knowledge and skills required for medical affairs and clinical professionals
  • Work closely with functional area leads to create instructional materials that are clear, effective, and aligned with educational goals.
  • Create structured, engaging content that covers topics such as regulatory compliance, clinical trial data interpretation, therapeutic area knowledge, product information, and communication strategies.
  • Develop training programs that reflect the latest updates in medical guidelines, ethical practices, and regulatory requirements.
  • Work closely with internal and external experts to ensure content accuracy and relevance, staying informed about advancements in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
  • Lead the design and development of high-quality training content, including educational modules, exams, and supporting materials that cover key areas such as clinical research processes, regulatory compliance, medical affairs, HR practices, and oncology-specific knowledge.
  • Lead the design and development of visually engaging, user-centered training modules and eLearning content that support diverse educational goals and objectives.
  • Ensure that all training content is scientifically accurate, up-to-date, and aligns with the company’s standards and industry best practices.
  • Develop interactive elements, infographics, and multimedia components (videos, animations, etc.) to support different learning styles and enhance content engagement, working with design.

Methodology

• • Integrate various learning modalities, such as e-learning modules, face-to-face training, virtual classrooms, workshops, webinars, and learning aids.
  • Ensure training is delivered effectively and meets the expected outcomes through proper coordination and execution.
  • Design and implement mechanisms for evaluating training effectiveness, including assessments, feedback surveys, and post-training performance evaluations.
  • Incorporate quizzes, assessments, and other interactive tools to test learners' understanding and reinforce key concepts.
  • Design user-friendly interfaces and interactive elements that are intuitive and optimize the learner’s experience.
  • Ensure the design of eLearning platforms and training modules is responsive and compatible with various devices, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Monitoring & Measuring Success

• • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess knowledge retention, application of learning in day-to-day activities, and overall impact on team performance.
  • Collect and analyze feedback from trainees and stakeholders to improve future training content and delivery.

Logistics & Scheduling

• • Work with teams to schedule and track training sessions for various stakeholders.
  • Manage library of education material
  • Define 12-month ongoing education strategy for all employees
  • Manage Summit University SharePoint platform working with teams

Compliance

• • Ensure all training materials and programs comply with industry regulations, including FDA, EMA, and ICH guidelines, as well as internal corporate standards.

Execution & Evaluation:

• • Oversee the deployment of training programs across different departments, ensuring engagement and successful completion of educational modules by participants.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through feedback, assessments, and performance metrics, and adjust content or delivery methods as needed to optimize learning outcomes.
  • Develop a continuous improvement process for training materials based on ongoing feedback and industry advancements.
• Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
  • Work closely with leadership in key departments to ensure training needs are aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Partner with the regulatory and compliance teams to ensure that all training adheres to FDA, EMA, and other regulatory standards.
  • Provide expert input on medical, clinical, and scientific topics to ensure training content is relevant and accurate.
• Leadership:
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the department teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Mentor and support team members in their professional development, while ensuring high-quality content development and delivery.
  • Stay informed about the latest trends in pharmaceutical education, clinical research, and oncology, bringing fresh perspectives to the training programs.

• All other duties as assigned

Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Masters or PhD in Oncology, or extensive experience in oncology focused medical affairs, clinical operations, or clinical development within the pharmaceutical industry. NSCLC expertise a plus.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in education with specialized experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years in medical affairs, clinical operations, or education/training development in a similar role.
• Experience setting up and running a comprehensive education department conducting a needs assessment, aligning the program to company goals, designing the program structure, content creation working with leading experts, modular education development, interactive learning, integration of Learning Management Systems, e-Learning platforms, ensuring regulatory compliance and setting up certification as needed.
• They have also built a continuous learning culture promoting a lifelong learning journey offering on-going training opportunities. All involving key stakeholders. The ideal candidate has done this in multiple large companies (pharma a plus) with outstanding results.
• Proven experience in designing, developing, and implementing comprehensive training programs for diverse pharmaceutical teams, including HR, Clinical, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Operations.
• Strong background in oncology, clinical research, or other therapeutic areas, with the ability to distill complex scientific and clinical information into understandable training materials.
• Expertise in developing a wide range of educational materials, including presentations, study guides, exams, and eLearning content.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage projects, and ensure the successful implementation of training initiatives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and collaborate effectively with senior leadership.
• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements (FDA / EMA) and the ability to incorporate these guidelines into training content.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate training effectiveness and drive improvements.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and eLearning platforms.
• Familiarity with data-driven approaches to evaluate training program effectiveness. Prior experience with oncology-focused education and training initiatives.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Certification in instructional design, training development, or medical affairs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a passion for continuous learning.
• Creative and innovative in designing engaging training content.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Passionate about driving excellence in medical education and training.

The pay range for this role is $184,000 - $230,000 annually. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation.

Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit’s Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@smmttx.com to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit.