Executive Director, Operations Lead

Ladders; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 286,000 - 334,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Flexible paid time off

401(k) options

Supplemental life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Executive Director, Operations Lead at Ladders, based in Conshohocken, PA, will oversee clinical operations strategy across the development lifecycle, ensuring trials stay on track, compliant, and within budget. You will partner with study teams, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders to align operational plans with development goals.

The role demands strong leadership in process design, performance management, and regulatory readiness in a fast-paced drug development environment, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Nursing, or Pharmacy; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in clinical operations and strategic planning.
• Experience with global drug development and NDA filings.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage clinical trial processes from planning through close-out.
• Define daily operational strategies to meet timelines and deliverables.
• Lead clinical operations to ensure quality and budget goals are met.
• Establish performance indicators for successful trial execution.
• Integrate clinical operations expertise into development activities and protocols.
• Review proposals and negotiate investigator budgets with CRO partners.
• Mentor staff and conduct quality checks to uphold compliance standards.
• Support regulatory submissions and stay current on competitive practices.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder alignment

Regulatory readiness

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's in Life Sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Executive Director, Operations Lead to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space. This role will oversee clinical operations strategy and execution across the development lifecycle, with a focus on keeping trials on track, compliant, and within budget. You will partner closely with study teams, external vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders to align operational plans with development goals. The position requires strong leadership in process design, performance management, and regulatory readiness in a fast-paced drug development environment.

Location: Conshohocken, PA

Compensation: $285,789 – $333,848 annually

Responsibilities

• Create and manage clinical trial processes from planning through close-out
• Define daily operational strategies to meet timelines and deliverables
• Lead clinical operations to ensure quality and budget goals are met
• Establish performance indicators for successful trial execution
• Integrate clinical operations expertise into development activities and protocols
• Review proposals and negotiate investigator budgets with CRO partners
• Mentor staff and conduct quality checks to uphold compliance standards
• Support regulatory submissions and stay current on competitive practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Nursing, or Pharmacy; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of clinical operations and strategic planning experience
• Strong background in study planning, execution, and regulatory inspections
• Experience with global drug development and NDA filings
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage budgets

Benefits

• Equity participation to share in the company's success
• Flexible paid time off and comprehensive medical benefits
• 401(k) options with employer matching
• Supplemental life insurance and legal services
• Mental health benefits through an Employee Assistance Program

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.