Associate Director, Early Development Quality Lead, R&D QA

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; United States; Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Wellness days

Holidays

Recharge breaks

Family resources

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Early Development Quality Lead to provide strategic quality oversight for nonclinical studies, IND enabling work, and biomarker programs. The role partners with multiple teams to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory compliance across GLP and GCP environments.

The position can be hybrid, onsite, or remote within the US and offers a comprehensive benefits package and annual incentive opportunities. Strong global QA experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in bioanalytical and toxicology within GLP/GCP/GCLP.
• Experience with assay development and validation for biomarker-based assays (PCR, ELISA, FISH) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of global GLP, GCP, GCLP regulations and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic quality oversight direction for internal and outsourced laboratories across GLP/non-GLP.
• Establish and monitor governance for external laboratories and test sites.
• Ensure biomarker development and analytical work comply with internal QA and external standards.

Skills

Quality assurance

Risk management

GxP compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Master's degree in science/tech

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Job description

Overview

The Early Development Quality Lead is responsible for the strategic quality oversight of internal and external (outsourced) activities in support of nonclinical studies (GLP and non-GLP), IND enabling work, as well as the utilization of Biomarkers within development programs (preclinical and clinical).

The Early Development Quality Lead is responsible for the strategic quality oversight of internal and external (outsourced) activities in support of nonclinical studies (GLP and non-GLP), IND enabling work, as well as the utilization of Biomarkers within development programs (preclinical and clinical).

This role will partner with Alnylam colleagues within Early Development, Bioanalytical, Nonclinical Writing, Research, and Clinical Research to provide quality support and oversight and ensure the identification, mitigation, and escalation of emerging quality risks and concerns.

This position will be located within the US and can be hybrid, onsite, or remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Sets the strategic quality oversight direction for internal and outsourced laboratory activities supporting nonclinical studies (GLP and non-GLP), including toxicology, bioanalytical and biomarker data that supports IND submissions.
• Establish and maintain quality oversight of external laboratories including Test Facilities, Test Sites, and Clinical Laboratories by implementing governance framework and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Collaborate with nonclinical and clinical teams (in partnership with GCP Program Leads) to integrate quality considerations into the selection, contracting, and management of external labs.
• Ensure internally developed and outsourced biomarker development / analytical work complies with internal quality system requirements and external regulatory standards including GCP, GLP, ICH, and OECD.
• Refine and continuously implement robust, risk-based vendor oversight and audit program globally for nonclinical work. Lead the risk assessment and audit strategy for external laboratories and ensure planned audits are executed in alignment with the GCP/GLP yearly audit program.
• Support the management of nonclinical and clinical lab focused quality issues arising from outsourced activities, including quality events, significant quality issues, and CAPA oversight.
• Serves as the Quality escalation point for CRO/vendor quality issues and leads quality governance activities to ensure appropriate identification, issue escalation and the mitigation of emerging compliance risks.
• Provides quality strategic direction for the functional evaluation of CRO or key vendor processes or process improvement opportunities.
• Drive the strategic identification and implementation of process improvement opportunities within Alnylam's QMS, in support of early development and research.
• Partners with Legal/Procurement for appropriate oversight language in contractual agreements and ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• Educated preferably in life sciences (technology, biological science, pharmacy or other health related discipline preferred) or equivalent qualification or work experience. Master's degree in a science, technology or industry related discipline, preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, inclusive of bioanalytical and toxicology subject matter, as it relates to GLPs, GCPs and GCLPs.
• Direct experience in the field of assay development and validation and familiarity with modern biomarker-based assays (e.g., PCR, ELISA, FISH) is preferred.
• Prior experience in risk-based thinking, quality assurance, auditing, managing quality issues/escalations, or other relevant QMS elements.
• Prior expertise in global GLP, GCP, GCLP regulations and guidance across regulatory bodies such as FDA, PMDA, European Union, MHRA, etc.

U.S. Pay Range

$164,500.00 - $222,500.00

The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam's robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being.

• medical coverage
• dental coverage
• vision coverage
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• lifestyle reimbursement program
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• paid time off
• wellness days
• holidays
• two company-wide recharge breaks
• generous family resources and leave

Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics - a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what's possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.