Director Clinical Development

Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world’s largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – seven of which are approved for global or domestic use - and co-leading COVAX, the global initiative to support equitable access which supported the delivery of over 2bn vaccine doses globally.

CEPI has contributed to a number of scientific breakthroughs in vaccine development against other infectious diseases, including the first ever licensed Chikungunya vaccine and the first Nipah and Lassa virus vaccines into Phase 1 trials. As COVID-19 has demonstrated, emerging infectious diseases represent an existential threat to our way of life. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic of the 21st century, and unless we act now, we can be sure that it will not be the last. Unlike some of the other big threats that humanity faces, we have the tools to systematically reduce and even eliminate the risk of future pandemics. It is vital that we capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from the pandemic to prevent such devastation happening again.

CEPI’s five-year plan for 2022-2026 – known as CEPI 2.0 - aims to dramatically reduce or even eliminate the future risk of pandemics and epidemics. Central to the plan is CEPI’s goal to accelerate the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Achieving this ‘100 Days Mission’, which has been embraced by the G7 and G20, would give the world a fighting chance of containing a future outbreak before it can spread to become a global pandemic, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.

CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC. In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.

About the role

CEPI is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Clinical Development reporting directly to the Executive Director of R&D. The primary objectives of this role include:

• Development and leading the clinical development strategy for CEPI’s vaccine portfolio;
• Provision of technical expertise, operational excellence, and leadership in the clinical investigation of candidate vaccines;
• Development and maintenance of strategic partnerships thereby ensuring CEPI’s close alignment with the larger global public health community focused on medical countermeasures against epidemic/pandemic-causing infectious diseases;
• Synergistic partnering with CEPI Regulatory Affairs and Research and Development Programs and relevant regulatory agencies in the context of developing novel vaccines;
• Identification of innovative approaches to develop public health vaccines for which commercial interest is uncertain;
• Active involvement in support of disease outbreak responses relevant to CEPI and its partners.

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain (revising as necessary), the overall strategy for the clinical development functional area within CEPI R&D.
• Oversee and manage the tactical implementation of the clinical development plan, to include maintaining relationships with relevant contract research organisations, other implementing partners, and investigative sites.
• Manage the clinical development plans of outsourced work from initial feasibility assessment through to project completion, ensuring compliance with SOPs, relevant regulatory regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA, and others), and current ICH GCP guidelines.
• Contribute to specific vaccine clinical development plans including evaluation of vaccine candidates in outbreak settings, along with evaluation of safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy data resulting from ongoing and completed clinical trials.
• Ensure that the expected results of clinical trials are clear, measurable, and consistent with CEPI’s policies and mission.
• Coordination with organisations participating in CEPI’s Clinical Research Preparedness Program.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team with accountability for the team’s performance, to include resource management.
• Management of remote teams and third-party project workers and consultants so that timelines are met and project continuity is maintained.
• Key clinical development advisor to the Executive Director, Research and Development and CEO.
• Represent CEPI at international meetings, conferences and forums.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience and Competence

• Medical degree (MD or the equivalent) with extensive experience in clinical development, clinical trials, clinical study plan design, integrated product development/lifecycle management plans in a global setting; industry experience preferred but not required.
• Internationally recognized clinical expert with demonstrated history of productive engagements with relevant external partners and investigators.
• Demonstrated personnel leadership and management skills at a senior management level.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, international and multidisciplinary environment and operate and adapt successfully in an ambiguous and frequently changing ecosystem.
• Outstanding technical written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills with an ability to motivate co-workers and subordinates.

Travel and Location Requirements

Moderate national or international travel as required for external partnerships, engagements with funders/partners, and direct support of the clinical development mission. This role is based in the UK, US or Norway.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges.
• Experience in the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment.

How to apply

For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://cepisites.secure.force.com/careers. Should you have any issues submitting your application or have questions please contact jobs@cepi.net. Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation. Deadline for receiving applications is 15th February 2026 at 23:59 CET.