Director, QA Operations

Cytokinetics; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 222,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytokinetics is seeking a Director, QA Operations to lead QA oversight of Drug Substance and Drug Product manufacturing and testing, including on-site support at CMOs. You will review batch records, analytical data, and CAPAs, ensuring delivery of compliant products.

You will partner with Regulatory Affairs, Technical Operations, and Supply Chain to maintain global GMP compliance and support inspections, PQRs, and continuous improvement across development and commercial programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or related field.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing or QA.
• Experience hosting regulatory inspections and/or client audits.
• Strong leadership and staff development skills.
• Proficient knowledge of global regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA oversight of DS and DP manufacturing and testing activities.
• Lead QA staff and coordinate with CMOs, CTLs, and internal QA teams.
• Review and approve batch records, specifications, and GMP documentation.
• Lead regulatory inspections, partner audits, and internal assessments.
• Drive continuous improvement and quality metrics across sites.

Skills

Team leadership

Quality systems

GxP / GMP knowledge

Regulatory inspections

Manufacturing oversight

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

Reporting to the Head of Global QA Operations/QP, the Director, QA Operations is responsible for leading Quality Assurance oversight of all Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP) manufacturing, testing, release, and lifecycle management activities performed by Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Testing Laboratories (CTLs), and other GxP service providers. The Director will lead a team of QA staff responsible for end-to-end quality oversight of clinical and commercial manufacturing operations, including on-site manufacturing support, batch record and analytical data review, disposition of quality events, and approval of GMP quality system records. The role serves as a strategic quality partner to other QA teams, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and external partners to ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements and company quality standards. The Director will be an internal lead SME during inspections for manufacturing and testing QA aspects. They must be knowledgeable and current with the global regulatory environment, as well as assess, and communicate impact of changes on development programs and commercial products.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team responsible for QA oversight of all DS and DP manufacturing and testing activities. Provide real-time QA support during manufacturing campaigns, including on-site presence at CMOs when required. Ensure effective oversight of commercial and clinical manufacturing, packaging, labeling, testing, and support release activities. Review and approve executed batch records, manufacturing documentation, analytical data packages, and associated GMP records to support product disposition and release. Review and approve master batch records, specifications, protocols, reports, and other GMP-controlled documents. Review, approve, and oversee investigations, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, risk assessments, and other quality system records. Ensure timely identification, escalation, investigation, and resolution of quality issues impacting product quality, compliance, or supply. Provide quality oversight of technology transfers, process validation, process performance monitoring, and continued process verification activities. Partner with CMOs, CTLs, and internal stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Serve as the Quality lead for manufacturing and testing activities during regulatory inspections, partner audits, and internal inspections. Support Product Quality Reviews (PQRs/APRs), management reviews, and quality metric monitoring. Ensure quality agreements and supplier oversight activities remain effective and compliant with applicable regulations. Maintain awareness of evolving global GMP regulations and industry expectations and assess their impact on products, processes, and quality systems. Foster a culture of quality, accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Job Requirements/Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (BSc) minimum preferred. Proven experience leading and managing teams, with a strong ability to coach, mentor, and support staff growth and professional development. Minimum 10 years' experience in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and related areas. Experience hosting Regulatory Inspections and/or client/partner audits. Deep Knowledge of current global Regulations and upcoming changes. Proficient user of MS Office Package. Experience interacting, supporting and influencing at all levels across the business. Proven ability to operate independently with initiative and minimal supervision. Energetic with the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Organized and adaptable with strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated intuition as a result of experience working through complex.

Travel requirements - up to 15% per annum

Pay Range (Ireland)

Pay Range: The salary range for this role in Dublin, Ireland is €122,300 - €163,000 gross annually. Final compensation will depend on skills, experience, and internal equity considerations. In line with Ireland equal pay regulations, we apply objective, gender-neutral criteria to determine compensation. We actively monitor pay equity through our annual Gender Equality Index and are committed to maintaining fair and transparent pay practices. In compliance with Ireland pay transparency legislation, compensation for this role is based on objective criteria and is aligned with our company-wide salary register. We are committed to ensuring equal pay for work of equal value.

Pay Range (United States)

The salary range for this position for South San Francisco, California and Radnor, Pennsylvania is: South San Francisco, California: $222,480 - $259,560; Radnor, Pennsylvania: $201,600 - $235,200. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences.

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.