Program Leader

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Program Lead to oversee one of Alto’s advanced clinical programs. This role will have end-to-end accountability for leading the strategy, design, and execution of this clinical development program, including Phase 1 through Phase 3 trials, long-term safety studies, and preparation for regulatory submissions. The Program Lead will refine clinical trial designs, overall long-term development strategy, and provide medical/scientific oversight of clinical studies. They will work closely with clinical operations on execution, data integrity, and regulatory readiness. This is a highly visible leadership role that bridges scientific, clinical, operational, and commercial disciplines to move Alto compounds forward, including to registration and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership
  • Serve as the overall program lead, accountable for end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of key milestones of clinical studies through NDA submission.
  • Partner closely with Program Management to drive alignment and execution across the cross-functional program team, including development and maintenance of integrated project plans, timelines, and budgets; proactive identification of risks; and implementation of mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure operational excellence and quality across all program activities, including oversight of external vendors and partners.
  • Collaborate with the CMO and senior leadership to align development activities with Alto’s corporate objectives and portfolio priorities.
  • Represent the program at internal governance forums and, as appropriate, in interactions with partners or external stakeholders.
• Clinical & Medical Leadership
  • Provide clinical leadership and oversight for the program, ensuring scientific rigor, patient safety, and data integrity. If an MD, provide medical oversight. If not an MD, work closely with the designated medical monitor.
  • Oversee clinical review of safety, efficacy, and emerging biomarker data.
  • Lead study review committees and participate in the interpretation of interim and final study results.
  • Partner with the CMO and cross-functional experts to refine study designs and long-term safety strategies.
  • Support interactions with health authorities such as FDA and EMA, including preparation of briefing packages and regulatory submissions.
  • Engage externally with clinical investigators, key opinion leaders, and advisory boards to ensure study alignment with medical and scientific standards.
• Execution of Clinical Studies
  • Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Data Management, and Data Science to ensure high-quality trial conduct, timely database locks, and accurate data reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with GCP, protocol requirements, and regulatory standards across all study sites.
  • Drive internal readiness and alignment for key study milestones and data readouts.
  • Provide clinical leadership during analysis, interpretation, and communication of results, including publications, scientific meetings, and regulatory submissions.
• Regulatory & Cross-Functional Interface
  • Lead or contribute to drafting and review of key regulatory documents, including study reports, briefing packages, and NDA components.
  • Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Operations, and CMC to ensure readiness for pivotal and registration phases.
  • Support external scientific communication efforts through investigator meetings, advisory boards, and KOL engagement.
• Team & Culture
  • Provide mentorship and clinical leadership to other team members.
  • Champion Alto’s culture of accountability, collaboration, and patient-focused innovation.
  • Operate as a hands-on leader within a nimble, high-performing clinical development team in a growing biotech environment.

Requirements

• M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in clinical development within the biopharma industry, including direct responsibility for Phase 1-3 study execution.
• Proven track record in designing and executing clinical programs in psychiatry or other relevant indications.
• Prior involvement in FDA or EMA meetings supporting clinical development.
• Deep understanding of clinical trial operations, GCP, and regulatory expectations for pivotal programs.
• Proven ability to synthesize clinical and operational perspectives into decisive program leadership.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment requiring both strategic and hands-on engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading psychiatric or neuroscience development programs.
• Demonstrated success overseeing late-stage trials and contributing to regulatory submissions (e.g., NDA, sNDA, MAA).
• Exposure to or interest in biomarker-driven development, including neurophysiologic or digital biomarkers.

Location

Onsite in Mountain View, CA. Remote will be considered.

Pay

$280,000 - $310,000 depending on qualifications and experience level.

Schedule

Travel Required: 25-30% (1 week/month).