Clinical Development in Pharma & Biotech

Clinical development is the engine that drives life-changing medical treatment from proof to market. Klein Hersh recruits the visionary executives prepared to run it. Spanning early clinical trials through pivotal Phase III studies, these leaders determine how quickly and effectively therapies advance. Their role blends scientific vision, operational expertise, and cross-department leadership; all qualities essential to moving innovation forward in a competitive marketplace.

Why Clinical Development Leadership Matters

The demands on clinical development professionals are evolving rapidly. Today’s leaders are expected to:

  • Oversees all aspects of clinical study design, from protocol development and statistical planning to medical monitoring, safety oversight, and interpretation of clinical data for final study reporting.
  • Direct global clinical strategy and program development, delivering efficient, patient-focused clinical studies.
  • Oversee global trial operations, ensuring smooth navigation of international sites and compliance with varying regulatory frameworks.
  • Build and strengthen collaboration across internal R&D, regulatory, commercial, and other key teams to ensure cohesive strategy and execution.
TO QUOTE AN EXPERTWe have access to the top talent that Pharma tech and services providers rely on to deliver the solutions and expertise that is the lifeblood of their business model.

Clinical development leaders also work closely with translational medicine teams to bridge the gap between early scientific insights and patient-ready trials. The stakes are high. Without strong leadership, clinical trials risk costly delays and missed opportunities. However, with the right executives, organizations accelerate time-to-market and strengthen their ability to deliver life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

The Klein Hersh Clinical Development Executive Search Advantage

At Klein Hersh, we have spent over 25 years cultivating relationships across the Pharma/Biotech executive search landscape. Our executive search team specializes in connecting clients with visionary clinical development leaders who:

  • Bring proven experience running global, multi-phase trials
  • Anticipate operational challenges before they hinder progress
  • Inspire confidence among boards, investors, and strategic partners
  • Drive clinical excellence that aligns with organizational goals and culture

What sets Klein Hersh apart is our deep immersion in life sciences. We don’t just identify candidates. Our choices are built on long-standing relationships, allowing us to recognize the leaders who combine technical mastery with the innovative foresight required to shape the future of clinical development.

Clinical Development Recruiting with Impact

At Klein Hersh, we connect companies with the executives whose expertise and vision transform trial execution into medical breakthroughs.

Our work in clinical development reflects the values that define Klein Hersh across all life sciences: precision search, relationship-centered collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to delivering the leaders who advance innovation and improve patient outcomes.



Interim Leadership for Pharma Services & Technology Organizations

Services and technology organizations in the pharmaceutical and biotech space often require immediate leadership talent to manage critical projects and maintain operational excellence. Klein Hersh has the expertise to connect these organizations with experienced interim executives who understand both the technical and business aspects of CRO, CDMO, and technology service delivery. Whether you need temporary commercial, finance, operations, HR, or other specific leadership talent, we identify professionals who can seamlessly integrate into your organization and maintain momentum during transitions or growth periods. Our vast talent network includes executives with specific experience in contract research, manufacturing, consulting, and technology services who are ready to step into interim roles.



Scaling Leadership to Drive Pharmacy Benefit Innovation
Summary A fast-growing, mission-driven Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) partnered with Klein Hersh to scale its leadership team during a critical phase of expansion. Operating in a complex and traditionally closed-off market, the company needed values-aligned executives who could lead through rapid growth. Through our extensive experience building healthcare and life sciences leadership teams, Klein Hersh understands there is no one-size-fits-all ...
By Michael Frank
July 14, 2025
From Crisis Response to Strategic Growth: Rethinking Healthcare Succession Planning
Whether it’s the aftereffects of the Great Resignation spurred by the pandemic, a new wave of baby boomer retirements creating leadership vacuums, or an increased cultural awareness of the topic sparked by HBO’s wildly successful Succession, succession planning has become a hot topic in boardrooms throughout the healthcare industry. In healthcare, we often think of succession planning as a safeguard, ...
By Michael Frank
March 14, 2025
PharmaVoice Interview: Executive Hiring Changes Reflect a Broader Biotech Comeback 
Read Alexandra Pecci’s article in PharmaVoice: Executive hiring changes reflect a broader biotech comeback. Executive hiring shifts are often indicators of wider trends in the market. Here’s how the hiring landscape for pharma leaders is changing. The biotech market is still in recovery mode, with the number of IPOs gradually rising in the years since 2022’s dismal low. That upward trend is ...
By Jason Hersh
January 30, 2025
Klein Hersh Taps Healthcare Industry Veteran to Elevate Growing Healthcare Recruitment Practice 
March 26, 2025 – Horsham, PA. Klein Hersh, a precision executive search firm specializing in life sciences and healthcare, is pleased to announce the appointment of industry veteran Neil Ravitz as Vice President, Healthcare.   Neil brings 17+ years of executive healthcare leadership experience to Klein Hersh, having driven operational and financial success in some of the nation’s leading healthcare institutions. ...
By Klein Hersh
March 25, 2025