Senior Director, Biostatistics

Cytokinetics
Location
South San Francisco, California
Job Type
Full-time
Posted
October 14, 2026
Salary Range
$286k - $334k USD

Job Description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

Provides leadership to the biostatistics function and direct management of biostatistics staff in developing statistical strategy, design, and analyses for clinical trials for multiple compounds with a focus on late phase and post-marketing studies. Sets direction for statistical contributions to real world evidence generation. Develops and/or applies sound statistical methodologies to meet key project objectives, with special focus on Phase 3 and observational studies. Partners with clinical research and medical affairs to generate evidence for regulators, providers and payers. Recruits, develops, and supervises project statisticians. Takes a leadership role in developing and implementing biostatistics department policies, standards, practices, and work-instructions in coordination with other senior leaders. Conceptualizes and implements initiatives for process improvement and or standardization for biostatistics activities and deliverables. Provides strategic statistical guidance to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and ensure project success. Manages timelines, deliverables, and budgets of contract research organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic input on Cytokinetics development programs
  • Provides critical input on clinical development plans, including post-marketing evidence generation and safety signal seeking.
  • Provide vision and direction for the development and implementation of department standards and practices and oversite of process improvement initiatives
  • Provide technical oversight of the statistical design, conduct, and analysis of late phase clinical trials and real-world data studies including safety evaluation,
  • Write and review protocols for soundness of trial design.
  • Write and review statistical analysis plans and case report forms.
  • Evaluate and manage contract research organizations and other vendors, including scope-of-work, timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
  • Build strong relationships both within and outside biostatistics
  • Direct management and supervision of biostatisticians by providing guidance to group members or teams based on organizational goals and company policy, with responsibility for results, costs and resourcing.

Education/ Experience:

  • MS/MA degree or PhD in Statistics/Biostatistics or related discipline and a minimum of 12 years of  clinical trials experience

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience working on clinical trials in cardiovascular or neuromuscular diseases
  • Experience designing and analyzing observational studies
  • Experience managing multiple statisticians.
  • Has led phase 3 and phase 4 studies.
  • Knowledgeable regarding FDA/EMA/ICH guidelines for drug development, new methodology in statistics and statistical/clinical data analyses.
  • Knowledge of CDISC standards.
  • Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects and multiple compounds, and to deliver high-quality work according to tight timelines.
  • Experience interacting directly with FDA and/or EU Authorities preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Strong people management and interpersonal skills
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of statistical experimental designs, analyses, and clinical trial requirements,
  • Excellent knowledge of FDA/EU/ICH statistical guidelines.
  • Has functional understanding of other disciplines such as data management, clinical operations, clinical science, regulatory affairs, and drug safety.
  • Project management and contract negotiation with outside vendors.
  • Uses broad expertise or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve these goals in creative and effective ways.
  • Develops technical and/or business solutions to complex problems.
  • Applies strong analytical and business communication skills.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and thrives in fast paced environment

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

Provides leadership to the biostatistics function and direct management of biostatistics staff in developing statistical strategy, design, and analyses for clinical trials for multiple compounds with a focus on late phase and post-marketing studies. Sets direction for statistical contributions to real world evidence generation. Develops and/or applies sound statistical methodologies to meet key project objectives, with special focus on Phase 3 and observational studies. Partners with clinical research and medical affairs to generate evidence for regulators, providers and payers. Recruits, develops, and supervises project statisticians. Takes a leadership role in developing and implementing biostatistics department policies, standards, practices, and work-instructions in coordination with other senior leaders. Conceptualizes and implements initiatives for process improvement and or standardization for biostatistics activities and deliverables. Provides strategic statistical guidance to anticipate challenges, mitigate risk, and ensure project success. Manages timelines, deliverables, and budgets of contract research organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic input on Cytokinetics development programs
  • Provides critical input on clinical development plans, including post-marketing evidence generation and safety signal seeking.
  • Provide vision and direction for the development and implementation of department standards and practices and oversite of process improvement initiatives
  • Provide technical oversight of the statistical design, conduct, and analysis of late phase clinical trials and real-world data studies including safety evaluation,
  • Write and review protocols for soundness of trial design.
  • Write and review statistical analysis plans and case report forms.
  • Evaluate and manage contract research organizations and other vendors, including scope-of-work, timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
  • Build strong relationships both within and outside biostatistics
  • Direct management and supervision of biostatisticians by providing guidance to group members or teams based on organizational goals and company policy, with responsibility for results, costs and resourcing.

Education/ Experience:

  • MS/MA degree or PhD in Statistics/Biostatistics or related discipline and a minimum of 12 years of  clinical trials experience

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience working on clinical trials in cardiovascular or neuromuscular diseases
  • Experience designing and analyzing observational studies
  • Experience managing multiple statisticians.
  • Has led phase 3 and phase 4 studies.
  • Knowledgeable regarding FDA/EMA/ICH guidelines for drug development, new methodology in statistics and statistical/clinical data analyses.
  • Knowledge of CDISC standards.
  • Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects and multiple compounds, and to deliver high-quality work according to tight timelines.
  • Experience interacting directly with FDA and/or EU Authorities preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Strong people management and interpersonal skills
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of statistical experimental designs, analyses, and clinical trial requirements,
  • Excellent knowledge of FDA/EU/ICH statistical guidelines.
  • Has functional understanding of other disciplines such as data management, clinical operations, clinical science, regulatory affairs, and drug safety.
  • Project management and contract negotiation with outside vendors.
  • Uses broad expertise or unique knowledge and skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve these goals in creative and effective ways.
  • Develops technical and/or business solutions to complex problems.
  • Applies strong analytical and business communication skills.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and thrives in fast paced environment
  • Exercises common sense and independent judgment in methods, techniques, and evaluation of criteria for obtaining results.
  • Participates in corporate development of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people.
  • Ensures budgets and schedules meet corporate requirements.
  • Creates networks involving coordination among groups.

#LI-HYBRID


Pay Range:

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $286,200-$333,900. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Please review ourGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policyPRIOR to applying.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Fraud Warning: How to Identify Impersonated Cytokinetics Job Postings and Offers

Recently, there have been fraudulent employment offers being sent to candidates on behalf of Cytokinetics. Please be advised that all legitimate offers from Cytokinetics will come directly from our official email domain (Cytokinetics.com) and will only be made after completing a formal interview process.

Here are some ways to check for authenticity:

  • We do not conduct job interviews through non-standard text messaging applications

  • We will never request personal information such as banking details until after an official offer has been accepted and verified

  • We will never request that you purchase equipment or other items when interviewing or hiring

  • If you are unsure about the authenticity of an offer, or if you receive any suspicious communication, please contact us directly attalentacquisition@cytokinetics.com

Please visit our website at:www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this role located, and what is the work policy?
The position is based in South San Francisco, California, and operates as a hybrid role (#LI-HYBRID).
What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
Candidates need an MS/MA or PhD in Statistics/Biostatistics or a related discipline, alongside at least 12 years of clinical trials experience. Preferred qualifications include managing multiple statisticians, leading Phase 3 and 4 studies, observational study design, cardiovascular or neuromuscular trial experience, CDISC knowledge, and direct FDA/EU authority interactions.
What are the primary responsibilities of the Senior Director, Biostatistics?
Responsibilities include leading the biostatistics function, providing statistical strategy for clinical trials and post-marketing studies, and overseeing real-world evidence generation. The role involves managing biostatistics staff, supervising CRO timelines and budgets, conceptualizing process improvements, writing protocols and statistical analysis plans, and partnering with clinical research and medical affairs teams.
What is the expected salary range for this role?
The expected base salary range for South San Francisco, CA is $286,200 to $333,900. Final base pay depends on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.
What benefits does Cytokinetics offer?
Total compensation includes equity (stock options and/or restricted stock units), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off.
Who will I manage and work with in this position?
You will directly supervise project statisticians and biostatistics staff. You will also collaborate with cross-functional disciplines including data management, clinical operations, clinical science, regulatory affairs, drug safety, medical affairs, and external CRO vendors.

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Job Information

Source: workday
AI Relevance: 95/100 (Highly relevant)
Remote Type: onsite
Allowed Locations: South San Francisco, California
Skills & Tags:
cytokinetics pharma
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