Solid Biosciences

Senior Director, Discovery and Translational Development – Solid Biosciences 

Charlestown, MA

Solid Biosciences is a precision genetic medicine company focused on advancing a portfolio of gene therapy candidates targeting rare neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), TNNT2-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, BAG3-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, and additional fatal, genetic cardiac diseases. We are advancing a diverse pipeline and delivery platform in the pursuit of uniting experts in science, technology, disease management, and care.

Patient-focused and founded by those directly impacted by Duchenne, Solid’s mission is to improve the daily lives of patients living with devastating rare diseases.

The Senior Director, Discovery and Translational Development will be a senior scientific and operational leader within Solid Biosciences’ Discovery & Translational Development (DTD) organization. This individual will play a critical role in building and advancing Solid’s early pipeline, while also providing scientific leadership for a lead development program and supporting the operational execution of the DTD function. 

This role requires a leader who can seamlessly integrate deep scientific expertise with clear, succinct executive communication, and who thrives in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment spanning Clinical Development, Regulatory, CMC, Program Management, Business Development, and external partners. The ideal candidate will bring experience in genomic medicines, ideally AAV-based gene therapy, with a strong preference for experience in genetic cardiomyopathies or related rare genetic diseases. 

Key Position Responsibilities 

• Leadership & Strategy
  • Lead the development and progression of early pipeline programs, from target identification through translational strategy definition and program readiness.
  • Serve as scientific leader for a designated lead program, ensuring alignment of discovery, translational, and development strategies.
  • Contribute to portfolio strategy and prioritization, including risk assessment, scenario planning, and definition of key decision points.
  • Develop and deliver clear, concise, and decision-enabling scientific narratives to the executive team and governance forums.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Lead the development and progression of early pipeline programs, from target identification through translational strategy definition and program readiness.
  • Serve as scientific leader for a designated lead program, ensuring alignment of discovery, translational, and development strategies.
  • Contribute to portfolio strategy and prioritization, including risk assessment, scenario planning, and definition of key decision points.
  • Develop and deliver clear, concise, and decision-enabling scientific narratives to the executive team and governance forums.
• Assay Development & Validation
  • Provide oversight of discovery, translational, and biomarker assay strategy supporting early and advancing programs. 
  • Ensure assays are fit-for-purpose, robust, and scalable, with a clear line of sight to clinical and regulatory needs. 
  • Guide the development and qualification of assays spanning in vitro, in vivo, and translational biofluid and tissue-based endpoints. 
• Preclinical & Translational Research
  • Provide oversight of discovery, translational, and biomarker assay strategy supporting early and advancing programs.
  • Ensure assays are fit-for-purpose, robust, and scalable, with a clear line of sight to clinical and regulatory needs.
  • Guide the development and qualification of assays spanning in vitro, in vivo, and translational biofluid and tissue-based endpoints.
• Regulatory & Documentation
  • Provide oversight of discovery, translational, and biomarker assay strategy supporting early and advancing programs.
  • Ensure assays are fit-for-purpose, robust, and scalable, with a clear line of sight to clinical and regulatory needs.
  • Guide the development and qualification of assays spanning in vitro, in vivo, and translational biofluid and tissue-based endpoints.
• Team Building, Operations & Management
  • Provide oversight of discovery, translational, and biomarker assay strategy supporting early and advancing programs.
  • Ensure assays are fit-for-purpose, robust, and scalable, with a clear line of sight to clinical and regulatory needs.
  • Guide the development and qualification of assays spanning in vitro, in vivo, and translational biofluid and tissue-based endpoints.

Experience Requirements

• Required
  • PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline. 
  • 10+ years of industry experience in discovery and/or translational research within biotech or pharmaceutical settings. 
  • Demonstrated experience in genomic medicines, with strong preference for AAV-based gene therapy. 
  • Proven ability to lead programs and teams across early discovery through IND-enabling development. 
  • Strong experience operating in cross-functional, matrixed environments. 
  • Exceptional ability to communicate complex science clearly and succinctly, particularly to senior and executive stakeholders. 
• Preferred
  • PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
  • 10+ years of industry experience in discovery and/or translational research within biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
  • Demonstrated experience in genomic medicines, with strong preference for AAV-based gene therapy.
  • Proven ability to lead programs and teams across early discovery through IND-enabling development.
  • Strong experience operating in cross-functional, matrixed environments.
  • Exceptional ability to communicate complex science clearly and succinctly, particularly to senior and executive stakeholders.

Compensation 

The base compensation range for this role is: $260,000 - $305,000

Base salary offered is determined through an internal analysis utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.

Regular employees are eligible to receive both short-term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward individual performance and align incentives to Solid’s long term company performance. 

Benefits and Solid Advantages 

At Solid Biosciences we offer a highly competitive total rewards and benefits package, intended to support all aspects of our employees’ lives and well-being. Additionally, for those employees working onsite at our Hood Park Headquarters, we offer a variety of onsite resources to support those working in our offices.