POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Clinical Development will serve as a thought leader, driving clinical research and overseeing the strategic direction of clinical development programs. This role focuses on innovative study design, medical and scientific excellence, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. The VP will lead clinical strategy and execution, guiding the translation of pre-clinical findings into clinical studies that demonstrate proof of pharmacology, mechanism, and concept for new candidate medicines.

This individual will apply deep medical and clinical expertise to ensure high-quality decision-making and will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including experts in statistics and clinical pharmacology. The VP will also act as the principal contact on medical and safety issues for all study execution lines, external collaborators, and clinical trial sites. They will build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, academic entities, and clinical trial sites to enhance collaborations and the company’s scientific reputation.

The VP will work collaboratively across the enterprise to align drug development programs with leadership goals and ensure efficient, end-to-end execution of clinical development plans. This role is pivotal in shaping leading-edge clinical science applied to CNS drug development.

This is a full-time remote position with the opportunity to work with cutting-edge biotech and life science companies on a global scale. This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead the creation and execution of clinical development plans, from pre-clinical stages to proof of concept.
  • Guide clinical team members to ensure excellence in translating research plans into efficient, innovative study designs.
  • Collaborate with clinical operations and clinical research to optimize study designs for operational efficiency, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
  • Oversee the design and execution of clinical research studies and review key clinical documents (e.g., protocols, clinical reports, regulatory submissions).
  • Provide final approval for clinical documentation across multiple projects.
  • Contribute and provide input to the operational strategy and feasibility assessments of clinical studies in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Establish and leverage relationships with key clinical experts and trial sites to inform site selection and study execution.
  • Flexible in supporting and managing multiple research programs in parallel, depending on development stages.
  • Participate in technical and protocol review groups across the portfolio.

 

QUALIFICATION

  • MD or MD/PhD (or equivalent), with relevant post-graduate clinical training.
  • Approximately 15 years or more of relevant experience in clinical development.
  • Proven track record of leading clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry, with strong project management skills.
  • Expertise in CNS therapeutic areas and a deep understanding of the drug development process.
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (GCP, ICH guidelines) and clinical trial design.
  • Experience managing budgets and financial risk in clinical research.
  • Ability to review emerging data and proactively ensure the delivery of high-quality study results.
  • Skilled communicator and leader, able to articulate ideas clearly and integrate team feedback.
  • Board certification in psychiatry with subspecialty training is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

What we offer:

  • Industry competitive compensation
  • Performance-base bonuses
  • Stock options
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • 401K plan
  • A collaborative and innovative work environment at the forefront of biotech advancements.

Give your best, live wholesomely:

  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and dependents
  • FSA and HSA
  • Basic Life Insurance 2x Earnings & AD&D
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Healthcare advocates group to help navigate the healthcare system

Work-Life Balance:

  • Unlimited paid time off
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Remote work option
  • Paid Holidays
  • Mental Health Days
  • Winter shut-down
  • Casual work environment

We uphold the ethos of work-life harmony, where enjoyment is woven into our fundamental values of integrity, teamwork, compassion, and excellence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit.

The employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The transition from standing and sitting often.

Specific vision for this job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position requires the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally. Evening and weekend work as necessary.

DISCLAIMER

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work remotely is $300,000 to $400,000 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, the type of years and experience within the industry, education, etc.

Provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees also will be able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan provided they meet plan requirements. Employees will also enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook. Eligibility requirements for these benefits will be controlled by applicable plan documents.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification as well as general description of benefits and other

compensation and it is not a substitute for applicable plan documents or company policies. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

EEO Employer: VISTAGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC., is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification.

All Employees  have rights under Federal Employment Laws and link to the three posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster Know Your Rights Poster; and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster.

 

About Vistagen Headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, Vistagen (Nasdaq: VTGN) is a late clinical-stage neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of groundbreaking therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders based on its pioneering approach and deep understanding of nose-to-brain neurocircuitry. Vistagen’s diversified pipeline of pherine product candidates is designed exclusively as nasal sprays administered at microgram level doses to rapidly activate chemosensory neurons in the nasal cavity with novel non-systemic proposed mechanisms of action designed to impact the olfactory system and brain neurocircuitry to achieve diverse therapeutic effects. Favorable safety data have been generated in all clinical studies of Vistagen’s pherine product candidates completed to date. Vistagen’s neuroscience pipeline also includes an oral prodrug with the potential to modulate NMDA receptor activity in certain neurological conditions, such as levodopa-induced dyskinesia associated with Parkinson’s disease therapy and neuropathic pain. At Vistagen, we are passionate about creating novel and differentiated treatments that set new standards of care for millions of people living with anxiety, depression, and other neurological disorders. Connect at www.Vistagen.com.