Sr. Director, Discovery & Translational Development

Job Description

Job Description

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 medicine, ideally AAV-based gene therapy, with a strong preference for experience in genetic cardiomyopathies or related rare genetic diseases.

This role will report to the Head of Discovery & Translational Development and will be based in Solid’s Corporate Headquarters located in Hood Park in Charlestown, MA and is a primarily onsite position.

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 designated programs, ensuring alignment of discovery, translational, and development strategies.
  • Drive 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
  • Partner closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, CMC, Program & Portfolio Management, Business Development, and Finance to ensure integrated program execution.
  • Ensure excellence in scientific program reviews and milestone planning at the governance level, facilitating cross-functional alignment.
  • Engage with external collaborators, CROs, academic investigators, and key opinion leaders to advance Solid’s scientific and translational objectives.
• Assay Development & Validation
  • Drive 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
  • Develop and execute preclinical and translational studies, including mechanism-of-action, biodistribution, dose-response, and proof-of-concept efforts.
  • Ensure translational relevance of models and endpoints, particularly as they relate to human disease biology and clinical hypotheses.
  • Drive integration learnings across discovery, nonclinical, and emerging clinical data to continuously refine program strategies.
• Regulatory & Documentation
  • Serve as DTD to develop regulatory strategy and scientific documentation, including IND-enabling plans, briefing documents, and regulatory interactions.
  • Ensure scientific content supporting regulatory submissions is rigorous, coherent, and aligned with agency expectations.
  • Support preparation of high-quality internal and external documentation, including study reports, executive summaries, and data packages.
• Team Building, Operations & Management
  • Lead and mentor high-performing team, fostering scientific excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
  • Play a key role in DTD operational leadership, including resource planning, prioritization, and process improvement.
  • Contribute to building a strong, inclusive, and execution-focused culture across the DTD organization.

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
  • Experience in genetic cardiomyopathies, cardiovascular biology, or related rare genetic diseases.
  • Prior involvement in regulatory interactions and IND-supporting activities.
  • Experience contributing to portfolio strategy and executive-level governance discussions.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving organization with multiple priorities.

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.

• Competitive Health and Dental programs with flexible plan offerings, including FSA and HSA programs

• 401(k) program participation with competitive company matched contributions

• Eligibility to participate in Solid’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Mobile phone subsidy for eligible employees

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Vision Coverage

• Life Insurance

• Voluntary Pet Insurance

• Employee Discount Program on Travel, Entertainment, and Services

• Employee Assistance Programs

• Daily Subsidized Lunch Delivery (onsite @ Hood Park)

• Free Onsite Full-Service Gym (onsite @ Hood Park)

• Employee Parking (onsite @ Hood Park)

• 12 Observed Holidays and a winter shut down

• 15-day PTO Policy and a 40-hour rollover YoY

• 40-hour Sick Policy

• 8 Hour Floating Holiday