Director Clinical Operations, Gene Therapy

astellas; Illinois; Remote; USD 170,000 - 244,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) match

Company fleet vehicle

Annual Corporate Bonus

Job summary

Astellas is seeking a senior leader to oversee Clinical Operations for global drug development programs from Northbrook, IL. The role emphasizes strategic input into development plans, budget and resource management, and cross‑functional leadership across regions, with remote work options in the US.

Success requires extensive experience in clinical development across multiple phases, strong leadership, and fluent English communication.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required with extensive global drug development program experience.
• Proven leadership and ability to collaborate across Clinical Operations and other functions.
• Strong knowledge of ICH/GCP guidelines and multinational regulations.
• Experience leading global process or system improvement initiatives.
• Must have strong knowledge of clinical development processes across phases and therapeutic areas.
• Demonstrated leadership and effective written/verbal communication skills.
• Fluent in English; travel ~25% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan, oversee, and execute Clinical Development Plans and pre/post-POC trials for assets and due diligence projects.
• Provide expert clinical operations input to asset teams and governance bodies.
• Develop budgets and resource estimates; monitor budget during trials.
• Guide extended teams to deliver program milestones on time and to quality standards.
• Engage with regulatory authorities and KOLs; support global/regional interactions.
• Mitigate risks and drive cross-functional problem solving across EU, US, and JP time zones.
• Collaborate with Early and Late-Stage leads during development transitions.
• Lead inspections readiness and patient-focused strategy implementation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

ICH/GCP knowledge

Global process improvement

Communication skills

English fluency

Education

BA/BS degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose and Scope:

• This position is accountable for the oversight and execution of assigned pre/post-POC interventional drug programs, Clinical Pharmacology normal healthy volunteer clinical trials, pre-approval access and post-marketing regulatory commitment trials (interventional and non-interventional).
• This position is accountable to the Portfolio Operations Lead and clinical operations leadership team and will provide input into budget and resourcing strategies, including development and implementation of global processes and procedures, non-drug product initiatives, and mentoring and coaching of staff during execution of development trials.
• This position has accountability for assuring strategic input and operational insight into the asset development planning lifecycle, including integrated evidence generation (iEGP), Global Development Plan (GDP), Clinical Development Plan (CDP) and the implementation of patient-focused strategies for assigned programs.
• Represents pre/post-POC Clinical Operations in Asset Teams, Portfolio and Operational review meetings, primary focus area governance, and cross-functional process improvement projects, as applicable.
• Individuals may serve in regional capacity to represent Clinical Operations in Key Opinion Leader (KOL) interactions, communications; Interactions and submissions to Health Authorities within their region/country of responsibility.
• This position may represent Clinical Operations in due diligence activities for assets that may be in-licensed or acquired.
• Report to Portfolio Operations Lead or above
• Provides functional leadership and management globally of ≥ 3 direct reports, including international direct reports.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Responsible for effective planning, oversight, and execution of Clinical Development Plans and pre/post-POC trials for assigned assets and due diligence projects.
• Ensures expert clinical operations strategy input is provided to Primary Focus Area and/or Asset Teams.
• Develops clinical program budgets and resource estimates for assigned assets and due diligence projects.
• Provides oversight of budget and resources during execution of clinical trials.
• Provides oversight and guidance to extended team members in completing program deliverables according to agreed timelines and quality standards, including awareness and escalation of high impact quality-related topics for assigned programs.
• Provide input on clinical operational matters for interactions with regulatory authorities and key opinion leaders, either globally or regionally, as applicable.
• Participates in and/or facilitates cross-functional collaboration and strategic problem solving to ensure risk mitigation, appropriate progress and timely completion of trials and deliverables according to established objectives, milestones, and goals.
• Works with teams to proactively identify and manage operational risks that arise during program and trial conduct, including escalation to Primary Operations Lead, functional management, and external vendor management to accelerate mitigation (as appropriate).
• Ensure close collaboration between Early and Late-Stage Clinical Operations Lead(s), including providing strategic and operational input during development and as the assets transition from early to late-stage development.
• Individual can anticipate, recognize and drive problem solving to rapidly address and mitigate emerging program or trial risks.
• Encourages individuals in investigating and applying clinical best practice methodologies in program(s) and clinical trials.
• Represents Clinical Operations in inspection readiness activities including coordination of trial team quality deliverables.
• Provide oversight and direction to trial team members for evaluation and implementation of patient-focused strategies for assigned trials.
• Participates in resource allocation across the department as required for portfolio delivery and non-drug project initiatives/process improvements.
• Acts as a change champion for Clinical Operations across the global organization.
• Responsible for compliance with direct reports with Astellas policies, procedures, and all associated training.
• Responsible for overseeing the development and management of department and program budgets, resources and timelines for assigned assets.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree with at least 12 years of executing complex global drug development programs and trials.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues in Clinical Operations and cross-functionally to deliver on portfolio deliverables and objectives.
• Must have strong knowledge of ICH/ GCP guidelines and multinational clinical trial regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully identify and lead global process or system improvement initiatives.
• Must have a strong knowledge of clinical development processes and conducting global clinical programs.
• Must have experience working across multiple phases of development and in multiple therapeutic areas.
• Must have proven leadership skills and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Moderate (~25%) travel required, depending upon assigned program and phase.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct people management experience
• Advanced degree

Location and Working Environment

This position is based in Northbrook, IL. Remote work from anywhere in the US is available.

At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas' Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

This position is a global role with strong interaction with various disciplines and international stakeholders

• Highly matrixed environment requiring cross-regional coordination.
• Frequent interaction with senior leadership and governance bodies.
• Collaboration across EU, US, and Japan time zones.

What awaits you at Astellas?

• Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide.
• Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
• Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
• A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.

Our Organizational Values and Behaviors

Values:

Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.

Behaviors:

We come together as 'One Astellas', working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.

Salary Range

$170,450 - $243,500 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)

*The salary range provided applies to US only and does not apply to any other locations outside of the US

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

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