Director, Quality Assurance (Site Quality Head)

Encoded; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

PTO and holidays

Parental Leave

Pre-tax benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Encoded Therapeutics Inc. is seeking an experienced Director, Quality Assurance to serve as Site Quality Head for our RTP clinical manufacturing facility.

You will establish and oversee all Site Quality Operations, ensuring CGMP compliance, data integrity, and patient safety. Lead a high-performing QA team, drive risk-based decisions, support regulatory filings and inspections, and partner with Manufacturing, Process Sciences, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to protect product supply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences or related discipline and 12+ years in QA within pharma/biotech with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of CGMPs, regulatory expectations, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated track record leading through regulatory inspections (FDA/EMA) and managing QA teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Site Quality Operations and strategy for RTP clinical manufacturing facility.
• Provide QA leadership for environmental monitoring, analytical testing, batch disposition, and change control.
• Oversee regulatory filings, agency interactions, and inspections.
• Manage and mentor the QA team, track quality metrics, and drive CAPA.
• Provide guidance to ensure materials, procedures, and documentation meet CGMP requirements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process Sciences, Facilities & Engineering, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to protect product supply and patient safety.

Skills

Quality leadership

Regulatory compliance

CGMP knowledge

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

People management

GMP inspections

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences

Master’s degree in Life Sciences or related field

Tools

TrackWise

Document control systems

Job description

Encoded Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company advancing precision medicines for a broad range of genetic disorders. Our mission is to unlock new opportunities for viral gene therapy through genomics-driven discovery. We focus on delivering life-changing advances for individuals with genetic disorders not addressable with current approaches. For more information, please visit www.Encoded.com.

Encoded Therapeutics is seeking an experienced and vision-driven Director, Quality Assurance to serve as the Site Quality Head for our Research Triangle Park (RTP) clinical manufacturing facility. In this critical leadership position, you will establish, maintain, and oversee all Site Quality Operations, ensuring phase appropriate Quality oversight and compliance with CGMP regulations, internal standards, and global regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

Site Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Represent QA in cross-functional team meetings and interacts with Manufacturing, Process Sciences, Facilities & Engineering, Supply Chain, Analytical Sciences, Regulatory, etc. applying strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Maintain updated and relevant knowledge of the GMP landscape, regulations, and guidelines.
• Drive risk-based quality decision-making, and lead escalation and resolution of critical quality events that may impact product supply, data integrity, or patient safety.
• Author, review, and provide technical QA support for site-related sections of regulatory filings and agency interactions.
• Support any site or regulatory body inspections.
• Manage QA team activities to support internal operations, supply chain, quality control, and facilities.
• Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing local Quality Assurance team.
• Trends and reports key quality metrics to the leadership team.

Quality Operations and Product Disposition

• Provide quality leadership and operational oversight for environmental monitoring, clinical manufacturing (AAV/Gene Therapy), analytical testing, stability, batch record review, and disposition.
• Provide guidance and recommendations to ensure material is manufactured in accordance with established procedures, CGMPs, and appropriate regulations.
• Lead QA oversight for analytical method data review, method validation QA approvals, tech transfer protocol/report reviews, and product specifications.
• Author and revise QA related standard operating procedures and provides guidance for generation, review, and approval of process, equipment, test method, and other SOPs.
• Reviews and approves all GMP related documentation including internal protocols, reports, test records, batch records, labels, specifications and other documents for drug substance.
• Provide oversight and support staff to ensure executed batch records and associated documents to are in compliance with approved procedures and CGMP expectations to determine acceptability of product disposition.
• Review and approve change controls related to the implementation or revision of process, method, and/or equipment changes.
• Provide quality oversight of root-cause analysis and product impact assessment for investigations as a result of deviations, OOS, and OOT investigations ensuring appropriate CAPA actions are identified.
• Support and lead risk assessments to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate site risks.
• Support and maintain the site Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) to mitigate cross-contamination and environmental risks.

Material and Supply Chain Quality

• Provide quality leadership and operational oversight for raw materials and reagent release, specifications, incoming controls, and storage.
• Lead teams to resolve any non-conforming materials and site supply chain risks.

Facility and Validation Oversight

• Direct Quality oversight for commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) of site facilities, process equipment, automated systems, and analytical instrumentation.
• Oversee site computer system validation (CSV) and data integrity initiatives to comply with 21 CFR Part 11 and global guidelines.
• Provide Quality oversight for facilities, utilities, equipment, and instrument maintenance and management.
• Prioritize projects appropriately and with flexibility to accommodate changing program objectives.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and drives continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a related discipline, or Master’s degree in Life Sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 12+ years of progressive Quality Assurance experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or biologics industry, with at least 5+ years in a senior Quality management leadership role.
• Direct experience in Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, Viral Vector (AAV), or Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of applicable regulatory requirements and guidance documents (21 CFR, USP, EP, ICH).
• Demonstrated track record of leading successfully through regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of batch disposition, deviation/CAPA management, change control, validation, raw material quality oversight, and environmental monitoring.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma and LEAN, and experience using root cause analysis tools to identify and correct deviations, are a plus.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Able to work on-site.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including competitive employer premium contributions
• Meaningful stock option grants
• PTO, sick time, and holiday pay
• Generous Parental Leave program
• Pre-tax medical and dependent care programs
• STD, LTD, Life and AD&D
• Professional development opportunities
• Team-building events
• Stocked micro-kitchen with drinks and snacks
• Wellness Resources

Encoded is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Encoded is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Encoded are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion or belief, color, national origin, gender, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location in which we operate. Encoded will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Encoded encourages applicants of all ages.