Associate Director, CMC Operations

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Wellness stipend

Equity grants

Annual bonus opportunities

Job summary

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking an Associate Director of CMC Operations to drive planning and execution across multiple development programs.

This hub-based role supports cross-functional teams, manages integrated CMC timelines, and coordinates with CDMOs for tech transfers and manufacturing campaigns. The role emphasizes risk management, budget forecasting, and collaboration with Quality, Regulatory, Clinical, and Finance to meeting project milestones and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in pharmaceutical drug development
• 5+ years in CMC project management or related program management
• Experience managing work with CDMOs
• Advanced proficiency in Smartsheet with integrated timelines
• Experience with project budgets, forecasting, and expense tracking
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with senior leadership
• Proven track record in cross-functional and cross-cultural teamwork

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of CMC workstreams across development programs, from technical development to regulatory submission and product approval
• Build and maintain integrated CMC project plans and timelines in Smartsheet
• Lead cross-functional Technical Operations Program Teams: set agendas, drive decisions, track actions, risks, and issues
• Coordinate activities with CDMO partners for transfers and manufacturing campaigns
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and dependencies, develop contingency plans
• Coordinate CMC contributions to regulatory submissions and timelines
• Collaborate with QA, Regulatory, Clinical Supply, and Finance to maintain efficient product development and budget practices
• Communicate project status and key issues to management and project teams via dashboards and governance updates

Skills

CMC project management

Cross-functional leadership

Smartsheet mastery

Budget forecasting

Communication

Risk management

Presentation skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Smartsheet

Job description

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

Reporting to the Vice President, Technical Operations Portfolio Management, the Associate Director, CMC Operations will drive the planning and execution of Kailera’s programs, spanning technical development, CDMO partnerships, technology transfers, clinical and commercial manufacturing, and preparation of regulatory submissions. In partnership with Technical Operations core team representatives, the individual will support cross-functional Technical Operations Program Teams, build and maintain integrated CMC timelines, and manage risks, dependencies, and decisions across Kailera’s multiple development programs. The Associate Director will also support the preparation, forecasting, and monitoring of departmental budgets.

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week) OR Remote (home-based, onsite at a hub 1 week every other month).

Responsibilities:

• Lead planning and execution of CMC workstreams across multiple development programs, from technical development through regulatory submission and product approval
• Build and maintain integrated CMC project plans and timelines in Smartsheet, aligning drug substance, drug product, analytical, packaging, and supply activities with clinical and regulatory milestones
• Lead and/or facilitate cross-functional Technical Operations Program Teams: set agendas, drive decisions, track action items, risks, and issues to resolution
• Coordinate activities with CDMO partners, including technology transfers and manufacturing campaigns, tracking deliverables against contracted scope and timelines
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and critical-path dependencies, and develop contingency plans where needed
• Coordinate CMC contributions to regulatory submissions, tracking authoring, review, and approval timelines
• Work closely with Technical Operations team, Quality, Regulatory, Clinical Supply, and Finance colleagues to maintain highly efficient practices for pharmaceutical product development and budget management
• Proactively communicate project status, key issues, and other critical topics in a timely manner to the appropriate management level and relevant project team members, including through dashboards and governance updates
• Ensure quality, scope, and timelines are met across all assigned projects, and keep team members updated on target dates and priorities
• Support departmental budget planning, forecasting, and expense tracking in partnership with Finance
• Drive continuous improvement of CMC project management tools, templates, and processes

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical drug development, including 5+ years in CMC project management or a related program management role
• Working knowledge of CMC development, technology transfer, and clinical and/or commercial manufacturing, including experience managing work with CDMOs
• Track record of success managing multiple projects or programs simultaneously
• Advanced proficiency in Smartsheet, with experience building integrated timelines and dashboards
• Experience with project budgets, forecasting, and expense tracking
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, including with senior leadership
• Proven track record of creativity, problem solving, and productivity, particularly when no or minimal precedent is in place
• Demonstrated successful experience working in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Experience supporting late-stage development and marketing application submissions (e.g., NDA Module 3)

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline preferred; advanced degree a plus

Salary Range

$155,000 - $190,000 USD

For Full Time Roles:

This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants—because your well-being and future matter to us.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.