DIRECTOR, SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS

Job Summary:   

The Director, Scientific Affairs will provide operational and strategic oversight for scientific and clinical activities within the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s (IASLC) project portfolio. This position works with internal and volunteer leadership to develop strategies and manage the framework and direction for IASLC’s volunteer committees, which serve as the cornerstone of the Society’s mission to advance the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of thoracic malignancies worldwide. The Director, Scientific Affairs will serve as the primary bridge between IASLC’s scientific leadership, global volunteer experts, and internal departments, ensuring that committee activities and scientific collaborations advance the organization’s strategic goals.

The Director will supervise selected members of the scientific affairs staff and serve as the staff liaison to the Multidisciplinary Global Practice Standards Committee (GMPSC). The role ensures effective collaboration among IASLC’s scientific committees, alignment with the organization’s strategic plan, and consistent execution of committee initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a scientist or clinician (MD, PhD, or equivalent) with a strong understanding of thoracic oncology, global research networks, and professional society operations.

This full-time, exempt, supervisory position reports to the Chief Science & Education Officer and works a hybrid schedule out of our downtown Denver, Colorado office. Location in Denver is preferred, but remote options may be considered for highly qualified candidates with direct experience in key areas. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

In this role, you will:

• Manage the operational framework for IASLC’s 14+ volunteer committees, including scientific, clinical, and cross-disciplinary groups.
• Oversee the development, progress tracking, execution, and reporting of committee two-year plans and deliverables in partnership with committee chairs, staff liaisons, and board liaisons.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and integration across committees and task forces to maximize impact and reduce duplication of effort.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Multidisciplinary Global Practice Standards Committee (GMPSC), supporting global implementation of evidence-based guidelines and clinical practice standards for thoracic cancers.
• Develop and maintain policies, governance frameworks, and operational procedures (such as nomination/appointment processes) to support consistent committee effectiveness and engagement.
• Provide mentorship and support to staff liaisons assigned to scientific committees and subcommittees.
• Collaborate with the Chief Science Officer and other senior leaders to ensure committee activities align with IASLC’s strategic plan and global mission.
• Provide scientific input and coordination for IASLC initiatives such as research collaborations, scientific projects, and programs for IASLC members.
• Represent IASLC in select scientific collaborations, multi-stakeholder consortia, and global oncology networks, as appropriate.
• Supervise and mentor designated members of the Scientific Affairs staff, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and professional development.
• Ensure effective communication and documentation across departments, committees, and leadership.
• Oversee relevant budgets, contracts, and timelines for committee and scientific affairs activities.
• Develop and maintain metrics to evaluate the impact of IASLC’s scientific and committee work.
• Serve as a scientific content resource for association staff.
• Attend and participate in scientific activities at IASLC-sponsored meetings and events, as assigned.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

What makes the IASLC the place for you?

• A meaningful mission.Your work will support global efforts to find effective treatments for lung cancer, one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide.
• Opportunity to work with leading physicians and researchers.You will meet and promote the activities of the world’s brightest minds in the field of thoracic oncology and exciting new scientific advancements.
• A positive work culture.Our people make the IASLC a special place to work. We are committed to living out our company values at all levels on a daily basis.
• Belong to a collaborative team.Our small team creates a lot of magic through our collaborative approach to work. Your work will provide many opportunities to work cross-functionally across the organization.
• Great employee benefits. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance benefits. We also offer a generous 401(k) match, paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, and other perks.  In addition, some positions will have opportunities to travel domestically and internationally.
• $125,000-135,000 annually, depending on applicable work experience and education.
• Hybrid work schedule. Employees are based in our Denver office and are allowed to work remotely 2-3 days per week.

CURRENT RESUME/CV AND COVER LETTER REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION

A successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A strong commitment to the mission of IASLC and compassion for those living with a lung cancer diagnosis.
• Advanced medical or scientific degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) required, preferably with expertise in thoracic oncology or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in a scientific, academic, and/or professional society setting, with demonstrated experience managing complex scientific or clinical initiatives.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Experience working with international scientific committees, working groups, or advisory panels strongly preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours when required and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (5-10%) in support of IASLC business needs, including attendance at the World Conference on Lung Cancer and other IASLC events.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship (U.S. citizen or permanent resident).
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally, as needed, in support of business needs.
• Strong multicultural awareness and sensitivity with ability to build cross-cultural consensus.
• Multilingual literacy/fluency and/or international experience a plus.

We believe the best solutions come from diverse teams.  We strive to have an environment where everyone has an opportunity to be successful regardless of any lawfully protected status.

TO APPLY:  Applications must be submitted via our website, www.iaslc.org  under IASLC Careers.  Cover letter and resume or CV are required for consideration. 

About International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated to studying lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes more than 11,000 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to preventing, detecting,diagnosing, and treating all thoracic malignancies, as well as the JTO Clinical and Research Reports. Visit www.iaslc.org for more information.

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