---
title: 'Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development at Septerna'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-medical-director-clinical-development-septerna-south-san-francisco-e05819z08xeq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development at Septerna

- **Company:** Septerna
- **Location:** South San Francisco, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-07
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/septerna/jobs/5447155008

## Job description

Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company’s Native Complex Platform™ recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs, many in the Endocrinology space, with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.

We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.

We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

For more information see: [www.septerna.com](http://www.septerna.com).

## About The Role

Septerna has an exciting new opportunity to join the team as a Medical Director/ Senior Medical Director, who will provide strategic leadership clinical development strategy, planning, and tactical implementation for all clinical development functions. This position will also serve as the Clinical  Development leader for one of Septerna’s clinical stage programs. This person is responsible for the design and successful cross-functional implementation of the clinical development plan (CDP). S/he will also participate in regulatory interactions and contribute to building relationships with KOLs. Ability to bridge clinical, scientific, and business needs with the aptitude to translate and align business and scientific goals and objectives. Must be a dynamic leader with outstanding strategic, communication, and collaboration skills.

## Responsibilities

- Enterprise leader of program strategy, collaborating in a matrixed working environment with clinical operations, regulatory, clinical pharmacology, research, CMC, and other functions to ensure the success of drug development programs.
- Work with key internal and external stakeholders to lead the design and implementation of robust CDPs to achieve the desired target product profile.
- Guide the development team(s) with aggressive, creative, but realistic approaches to drug development.
- Direct and design fit-for-purpose clinical trials across all phases in drug development; design and draft protocol synopses, clinical trial protocols, amendments, and supporting documents.
- Contribute to IBs, regulatory documents, CSRs, and publications associated with clinical trials.
- Provide medical oversight of multiple clinical studies and provide medical input and guidance on scientific, clinical and safety monitoring issues.
- Be accountable via collaboration across functions and clinical operations for all relevant timelines and deliverables.
- Collaborate with regulatory affairs to develop high-quality strategic regulatory strategies and engagement.
- Communicate to management and relevant functions any potentially significant issues to the CDP or emerging safety risks in a timely manner.
- Provide strategic consultation and guidance to Research on decision that have significant clinical components and implications.
- Ensure compliance with SOPs, ICH, GCP, and other national and international regulatory requirements.
- In conjunction with the VP of Clinical Development, ensure organizational growth plans for clinical Development scales with Septerna’s current and future needs.
- Mentor and develop more junior physicians and other clinical development staff to successfully advance to higher levels of responsibility.
- Travel to clinical sites, conferences, and regulatory meetings as needed.

## Qualifications

- MD or MD/PhD required and 5+ years of experience in Clinical Development or related pharmaceutical capacity.
- Endocrinology/Board Certified Endocrinologist or extensive experience in endocrinology-related drug-development required.
- Rare disease experience is preferred.
- Excellent communicator with team building and collaboration skills.
- In depth knowledge of drug development process and oversight of clinical trials; well versed in first-in-human trials as well as late phase development and product filing/ registration.
- Has seen and managed significant accelerations and challenges in clinical programs.
- Outstanding management skills a must, both with respect to managing the development team but also evidence of successful enterprise/matrix leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams to make significant recommendations and persuasively present synthesis of team diligence to gain alignment with senior management.
- Expertise in innovative clinical trial design, scientific writing, and the successful implementation of clinical protocols and clinical study reports.
- Experience in all phases of regulatory submissions and interactions; international experience also required, along with negotiation experience with the FDA.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), ICH, ICJME Guidelines, FDA and other international regulatory body requirements.
- Ability to meet multiple deadlines across a variety of projects/programs, with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.
- Superb presentation skills.
- Thrives in a highly entrepreneurial biotech environment.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $340,000 - $380,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.  We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.  Septerna participates in the E-Verify program.  California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice For Job Applicants.  If you are a California resident, click [here](https://septerna.com/california-consumer-privacy-act-privacy-notice-for-job-applicants/) for our CCPA Notice.

## About Septerna

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Septerna is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering oral small molecule therapies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using its proprietary Native Complex Platform®.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: SEPN)
- **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Jeffrey Finer, MD, PhD (CEO and Co-Founder); scientific founders include Robert Lefkowitz, MD (Nobel laureate), Arthur Christopoulos, PhD, and Patrick Sexton, PhD, DSc.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology – GPCR-targeted drug discovery and development.
- **Target customers**: Patients with unmet medical needs in endocrinology, immunology & inflammation, and metabolic diseases; potential pharmaceutical partners for co-development or licensing.
- **Mission**: To unlock the full potential of GPCR drug targets and develop the next generation of impactful new medicines for patients across therapeutic areas.

## Products & Services
- **Native Complex Platform®**: A proprietary technology that enables the isolation, purification, and reconstitution of functional GPCRs in their native lipid bilayer outside of cells. This platform allows structure-based drug design at industrial scale, targeting previously undruggable GPCRs and opening novel binding pockets.
- **SEP-479**: An oral small molecule PTH1R agonist in Phase 1 clinical development for hypoparathyroidism. Initiated Phase 1 trial in Australia in first half of 2026; topline data expected around end of 2026 or early 2027.
- **SEP-786**: A first-generation oral PTH1R agonist that was discontinued in February 2025 due to UGT1A1 inhibition leading to unconjugated bilirubin elevations.
- **Additional Pipeline**: Programs in immunology & inflammation, metabolic diseases (e.g., GPCR targets for metabolic disorders), and discovery-stage programs across neurology, women’s health, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: $826.4 million (as of mid-2026, per LinkedIn).
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue not publicly available (pre-revenue, clinical-stage). Total funding: IPO in October 2024 raised approximately $215 million (including overallotment). Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2025 were not disclosed in the available 10-K summary.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Board includes seasoned biotech leaders such as Shalini Sharp, Keith M. Gottesdiener, MD, and Jeffrey Tong, PhD. Lead investors from the IPO and prior private rounds include Third Rock Ventures (co-led Series A) and other top-tier healthcare investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 40.9% year-over-year to 105 employees as of mid-2026; IPO in 2024; advancement of SEP-479 into Phase 1; active hiring across drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory, and technical accounting.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Native Complex Platform®** is the first industrial-scale method to isolate functional GPCRs outside living cells, enabling structure-based drug design for the ~75% of GPCRs that remain undrugged.
- World-class GPCR expertise: scientific founders include Nobel laureate Robert Lefkowitz and leaders in GPCR biology and pharmacology.
- Focus on oral small molecules for peptide GPCR targets offers patient convenience and dosing flexibility over injectable biologics.
- Deep pipeline targeting validated pathways with clear clinical precedent (e.g., PTH1R for hypoparathyroidism).

## Strategic Focus
- Advance SEP-479 through Phase 1 and into Phase 2 proof-of-concept trials.
- Expand pipeline within core therapeutic areas (endocrinology, immunology/inflammation, metabolic diseases).
- Continue platform innovation to unlock additional GPCR targets.
- Explore value-creating strategic partnerships to leverage the platform for new indications or geographies.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values-driven organization emphasizing “Kick-ass science rooted in daily innovation,” collaboration, patient urgency, and results-oriented tenacity. A strong commitment to diversity, open-mindedness, and transparent communication.
- **Work Environment**: Likely on-site / hybrid in South San Francisco (biotech standard). The company is in growth mode, offering opportunities to shape early-stage programs and work alongside renowned GPCR experts.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, retirement plans, and perks designed to support employee well-being. Specific details not publicly detailed but noted as “meaningful benefits and perks” (careers page).
- **Engineering/Science Culture**: Drug hunters, GPCR experts, drug developers, and company builders collaborate in a data-driven, rigorous scientific environment. Active hiring in analytical development, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and pharmaceutical development.

## Sources
1. [septerna.com](https://www.septerna.com/)
2. [septerna.com/about](https://www.septerna.com/about/)
3. [septerna.com/careers](https://www.septerna.com/careers/)
4. [SEC 10-K (2025 Annual Report)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1984086/000119312526197525/d17403dars.pdf)
5. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/septernainc)

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