Head of Research Operations

Mosaic Biosciences, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Mosaic Biosciences, Inc. is seeking an experienced Head of Research Operations to lead the company's multidisciplinary Research organization in a dynamic CRO environment.

The role ensures scientific excellence, effective execution, and timely delivery of partner-aligned outcomes, coordinating across Research, operations, and executive leadership. Based in Boulder, CO on-site, you will translate partner goals into actionable plans, oversee cross-functional discovery projects, and foster

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences required or equivalent.
• 10+ years in biologics discovery with at least 5 in leadership roles.
• Proven track record managing multi-functional teams in biotech/pharma/CRO environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight to keep research capabilities cutting-edge and aligned with partner needs.
• Translate partner goals into actionable plans with deliverables, timelines, and resources.
• Oversee execution of multidisciplinary discovery projects with scientific rigor and cross-team alignment.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, adopting new technologies and data analytics.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop long-term research strategies and evaluate emerging trends.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client service

Urgency response

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Job description

Mosaic is seeking an experienced scientific and operational leader to lead our multidisciplinary Research organization. The Head of Research Operations will provide operational oversight to ensure scientific excellence, effective execution, and timely delivery of high-quality, partner-aligned outcomes in a dynamic CRO environment. This role will lead and support our functional leaders across Research, aligning teams, resources, and priorities with our partners’ goals and objectives. Success requires a proactive, customer-first mindset, strong scientific judgment, a sense of urgency, and an appreciation for the pace and operational demands of a CRO setting.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight to ensure research capabilities remain cutting-edge, efficient, and aligned with current and future partner needs.
• Translate partner goals and program needs into actionable operational plans with defined deliverables, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Oversee the execution and troubleshooting of multidisciplinary discovery projects, maintaining scientific rigor, efficiency, and cross-team alignment.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by implementing best practices, integrating new technologies (e.g., automation, high-throughput systems, data analytics), and staying current with trends in biologics discovery.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement long-term research strategies, identifying and evaluating emerging industry trends for internal investment and potential acquisitions.

Team Leadership and Development

• Empower functional leadership to drive accountability, scale execution, and consistently delivery across the Research organization.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists to achieve high performance and deliver exceptional results to partners.
• Build and nurture a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages problem-solving, gathering alternative views and opinions, and knowledge sharing across disciplines.
• Set clear goals, expectations, and performance metrics; provide ongoing feedback and coaching to support professional growth and team success.
• Cultivate a culture that prioritizes accountability, responsiveness, and excellence in partner service – hallmarks of successful CRO operations.
• Ensure teams remain scientifically current and technically innovative in ways that directly support customer goals and differentiate Mosaic’s service offerings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with Commercial leadership on strategic client discussions and proposals, ensuring technical commitments align with partner needs, Mosaic capabilities, and business priorities.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to provide transparent updates on project status, scientific progress, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Commercial team to understand client needs and ensure technical teams are aligned with business priorities and scientific expectations.
• Represent Mosaic as a scientific leader at conferences, business meetings, and industry forums to enhance the company’s visibility and reputation.

Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant life sciences field (e.g., Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular or Cell Biology).
• 10+ years of experience in biologics discovery, with at least 5 in operational or scientific leadership roles.
• Proven track record of managing multi-functional teams in fast-paced biotech, pharma, or CRO environment – ideally with direct experience supporting external client programs.
• Demonstrated ability to respond with urgency and clarity to evolving partner priorities, scope changes, or new technical challenges.
• Deep understanding of discovery workflows, particularly across protein and antibody engineering.
• Strong communication skills, with experience leading technical teams and external-facing relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a CRO or service-oriented environment, balancing scientific excellence with time- and cost-sensitive deliverables.
• Strong appreciation for client service dynamics, including proactive communication, expectation management, and responsiveness to shifting program needs.

Location: On-site - 5710 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Department: Research & Development

Level: Sr. Director

Compensation: $170,000 - $215,000