Development Head, Respiratory
- United States - Pennsylvania - Collegeville
- United States - Massachusetts - Cambridge
Position Summary
The Development Head, Respiratory will be a pivotal leader within Pfizer’s Research & Development Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) Division, reporting to the Chief Development Officer for I&I. This role will set and execute a compelling vision for Respiratory, driving the development of groundbreaking therapies, shaping the overall strategy. The leader will oversee end-to-end clinical program performance, including protocol development and robust trial execution, while building a world-class pipeline from internal and external sources. As part of the I&I leadership team, the Development Head will provide strategic direction, foster cross-functional collaboration, and mentor a high-performing global Development team. The successful candidate will be a hands-on thought leader with deep expertise in respiratory and clinical development, committed to delivering patient-focused, data-driven innovation. This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight & Vision: Shape and drive the strategic direction for I&I clinical programs in Respiratory. As a member of the I&I Development leadership team, is a critical part and driver of the overall I&I strategy and Development leadership.
- Team Leadership & Culture: Inspire, mentor, and develop the program and clinical leaders in Respiratory, fostering an environment of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning, while championing Pfizer’s commitment to patient-centricity, entrepreneurial thinking, and data-driven excellence.
- Clinical Programs: Drive the adoption of innovative trial designs to enhance clinical impact and accelerate value creation. Accountable for the planning and performance of all clinical programs in Respiratory from Phase 1 onwards to live cycle management.
- External Engagement: Act as a visible ambassador for Respiratory at Pfizer at scientific conferences articulating the Company’s vision and cultivating strong relationships with KOLs, CROs, academic collaborators, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Work cross-functionally with Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Safety, Operations, and Business Development and the Commercial organization to align and integrate clinical strategies and standards across the I&I portfolio.
- Industry Foresight: Continuously scan and interpret the evolving scientific and competitive landscape, leveraging emerging technologies and disruptive trends to inform and evolve Pfizer’s clinical strategy in I&I.
Requirements:
- M.D. with at least 10 years’ experience leading development respiratory clinical trials including early and late projects, including submissions.
- Proven success in I&I clinical project/program leadership.
- Deep understanding of I&I drug development, protocol writing, study conduct, data analysis, and regulatory submissions.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to manage and mentor teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders in I&I.
- Experience with global I&I regulatory submissions and interactions with major regulatory agencies.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with CROs, KOLs, regulatory authorities, and the broader I&I research community.
- Track record of leveraging data, technology, and innovative approaches to scale clinical operations and deliver value for patients.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
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Medical
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Pfizer Research & Development
Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we use a multidisciplinary approach that blends scientific expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic collaborations, igniting a powerful engine that propels groundbreaking discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients in need.
Through our relentless pursuit of progress, we envision a future where cutting-edge medicines pave the way to healthier, happier lives worldwide.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)