Senior Director, Clinical Operations Oncology

Vir-Biotechnology; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 236,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401K match

Equity compensation

Office lunch

Job summary

Vir Biotechnology is searching for a Senior Director of Clinical Operations to lead portfolio‑level execution for multiple oncology programs. This role combines strategic development with hands‑on operational leadership across studies, governance, and vendor management, based at our San Francisco headquarters.

You will supervise protocol concept through regulatory submission, ensure timelines and budgets, and drive process improvements while maintaining GMP/GCP compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• 15+ years of clinical development experience in biotech/pharma.
• Experience overseeing complex global oncology trials.
• Experience leading first‑in‑human and early‑development oncology trials.
• Experience managing CROs and vendors globally.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, EMA, ICH GCP.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Oversee tactical execution of global oncology trials against timelines and budgets.
• Lead first‑in‑human and expansion studies with safety oversight and PK/biomarker sampling.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align operational and clinical objectives.
• Translate program strategy into integrated operational plans including country/site strategy and budget.
• Provide sponsor oversight of CROs and vendors with governance and risk management.
• Drive quality management and inspection readiness across studies.
• Build and develop a high‑performing Clinical Operations team.
• Represent Operations on program and portfolio planning teams.

Skills

Clinical development experience

Global oncology trials

First-in-human oncology trials

Regulatory knowledge (FDA/EMA/ICH/GCP)

CRO/vendor management

Budget and timeline management

Operational leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel flexibility

Sponsor oversight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Job description

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on powering the immune system to transform lives by discovering and developing medicines for serious infectious diseases and cancer. Its clinical-stage portfolio includes programs for chronic hepatitis delta and multiple PRO-XTEN ® dual-masked T-cell engagers across validated targets in solid tumor indications. Vir Biotechnology also has a preclinical portfolio of programs across a range of infectious diseases and oncologic malignancies.

Vir Biotechnology has exclusive rights to the universal PRO-XTEN ® masking platform for oncology and infectious disease. PRO-XTEN ® is a trademark of Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Sanofi company.

We believe the success of our colleagues drives the success of our mission. We are committed to creating a company where everyone feels supported and encouraged to give their best.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Vir Biotechnology is seeking an experienced Senior Director of Clinical Operations to provide portfolio-level strategic and operational leadership for multiple complex global oncology programs. This individual will be accountable for translating clinical development strategy into executable operational plans, delivering studies against timelines, budgets, quality standards, and decision‑critical milestones, and proactively identifying and resolving risks that could affect program objectives. The role will serve as a hands‑on leader across study execution, program governance, alliance management, operational excellence, and oncology portfolio growth.

You will establish the operational strategy for assigned programs and provide effective sponsor oversight of CROs, clinical sites, laboratories, and specialty vendors. As a key member of cross‑functional program and study teams, you will provide operational leadership from protocol concept and country and site strategy through database lock, study closeout, and regulatory submission support. You will also lead Clinical Operations initiatives that strengthen portfolio governance, resource planning, process improvement, SOP development, inspection readiness, and scalable operating capabilities.

This role is based at our San Francisco headquarters, with an expectation of working in the office at least three days per week.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Oversee the tactical implementation of clinical development plans for multiple global oncology trials, with accountability for delivery against timelines, budgets, quality standards, and milestones
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for first‑in‑human, dose‑escalation, dose‑optimization, backfill, combination, and expansion‑cohort oncology studies, including rapid cohort activation, fit‑for‑purpose safety oversight, intensive pharmacokinetic and biomarker sampling, and timely delivery of data to support dose, indication, and portfolio decisions.
• Partner closely with Clinical Development, Translational Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Monitoring, Biometrics, Regulatory Affairs, Safety, Clinical Supply, and other functions to align operational and clinical objectives and ensure consistency across assigned studies
• Translate program strategy into an integrated operational plan encompassing country and site strategy,, start‑up and enrollment assumptions, patient and site engagement, vendor and CRO selection, resourcing, budget, clinical supply interfaces, data‑delivery milestones, and scenario‑based risk mitigation.
• Provide effective Sponsor oversight of CROs and ancillary vendors through clear governance, performance metrics, issue escalation, quality and risk review, financial oversight, and documented accountability for timely corrective and preventive actions.
• Implement and oversee risk‑based quality management plans, sponsor‑oversight activities, and inspection‑readiness strategies across all assigned studies
• Drive Clinical Operations excellence by serving as the Clinical Operations subject matter expert for assigned clinical studies and leading cross‑functional initiatives, including KPI tracking, process improvement, and oversight to ensure adherence to protocols, project plans, and GCP requirements
• Partner with senior leadership to foster a highly desirable work environment that attracts and retains high‑performing Clinical Operations professionals
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing Clinical Operations team through effective management, coaching, and professional development of direct reports
• Mentor junior Clinical Operations colleagues and contribute to building organizational capabilities that support a growing oncology portfolio
• Develop company SOPs, guidelines, and efficient systems in collaboration with the Clinical Operations team to enhance departmental effectiveness and ensure compliance with applicable FDA regulations and current ICH GCP guidelines
• Represent Clinical Operations on program, study, governance, and portfolio planning teams, providing clear operational recommendations, scenario analyses, risk assessments, and escalation of decisions required to protect program timelines and objectives.
• Serve as the operational lead for alliance and co‑development programs, representing Clinical Operations in joint governance forums and facilitating cross‑company operational alignment
• Lead Clinical Operations planning for emerging oncology assets transitioning from preclinical development into the clinic, including first‑in‑human operational strategy, country and site assessment, vendor and systems readiness, initial budget and resource assumptions, and execution planning aligned with regulatory submission and study‑start milestones.

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field and 15+ years of clinical development experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry
• Significant experience overseeing complex global oncology clinical trials, with deep expertise in early‑phase oncology development
• Demonstrated experience leading first‑in‑human and early‑development oncology trials, including dose‑escalation, backfill, expansion, signal‑seeking, and dose‑optimization studies
• Experience supporting development of novel oncology modalities, such as T‑cell engagers, bispecific antibodies, immuno‑oncology therapies, cell therapies, cytokine‑based therapies, or related platforms
• Demonstrated expertise in global study start‑up, country and site feasibility, investigator engagement, enrollment forecasting and optimization, and recruitment planning across academic and community oncology networks, including strategies for biomarker‑selected populations, competing trials, screen failure, and complex referral pathways.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial design and execution, including operational considerations in oncology studies
• Extensive knowledge of FDA, EMA, ICH GCP, and other global regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing CROs and vendors across global clinical development programs
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, audits, and inspection readiness activities
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, make timely decisions with incomplete or evolving data, and resolve complex operational issues in a fast‑paced, resource‑conscious biotechnology environment.
• Proven ability to influence cross‑functional program strategy and drive timely decisions in a fast‑paced biotechnology environment
• Experience contributing to departmental initiatives, process improvements, and operational excellence programs
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE OFFER

The expected salary range for this position is $235,500 to $329,000 per year. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors.

Vir Biotechnology's compensation and benefits are aligned with the current market and commensurate with the person’s experience and qualifications. All full‑time employees receive a package that includes compensation, bonus and equity as well as many other Vir Biotechnology benefits and perks such as health and welfare benefit plans, non‑accrual paid time off, company shut down for holidays, commuter benefits, 401K match and lunch each day in the office.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

All employment decisions at Vir Biotechnology are based on legitimate, non‑discriminatory business requirements, job duties and individual qualifications. Employment decisions are made without regard to any legally protected characteristics.

Vir Biotechnology also strongly commits to providing employees with a work environment free of unlawful conduct or harassment.

Vir Biotechnology Human Resources leads recruitment and employment for Vir Biotechnology. Unsolicited resumes sent to the company from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and Vir Biotechnology and do not obligate us to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. We ask that external recruiters and/or agencies not contact or present candidates directly to our hiring manager or employees.

For hires based in the United States, Vir Biotechnology, participates in E‑Verify.

As set forth in Vir Biotechnology’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.