Senior Manager or Associate Director, Translational Medicine Operations

Kymera Therapeutics; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kymera Therapeutics is seeking a senior leader to direct Translational Medicine Operations for multi-site clinical studies. You will oversee biospecimen collection, processing, and archival while partnering with Clinical Operations, CROs, and biomarker scientists to drive successful biomarker programs.

Ideal candidates have 7–10+ years in Translational Medicine or related fields, with strong project management and vendor oversight.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in Translational Medicine Ops or related field in biotech/ pharma.
• Experience managing end-to-end biospecimen operations for Phase I–III trials.
• Strong vendor, contract, and budget management abilities.
• Knowledge of biospecimen chain of custody and regulatory guidelines.
• Experience developing biospecimen documents (lab manuals, SOPs, guidelines).
• Collaborative with Clinical Operations, CROs, CRUs and labs.
• Experience with pharmacodynamic assays or biomarker platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Translational Medicine operations for clinical studies end-to-end.
• Oversee biospecimen collection, processing, shipment, tracking and archival.
• Manage central and vendor labs, contracts, and performance oversight.
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure biomarker and biospecimen success.
• Ensure site readiness, training and ongoing issue resolution.
• Monitor sample quality, data integrity and CAPA actions.
• Lead multi-site studies, identify risks and mitigate timelines.
• Ensure compliance with protocols, GCP/ICH and company standards.

Skills

Translational Medicine Operations

Clinical sample management

Biomarker operations

Vendor management

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

GCP/ICH knowledge

Smartsheet

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Life Sciences or related

MS/MPH/PhD preferred

Tools

Smartsheet

Job description

Who we are:

Kymera is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) to develop medicines that address critical health problems and have the potential to dramatically improve patients' lives. Kymera is deploying TPD to address disease targets and pathways inaccessible with conventional therapeutics. Having advanced the first degrader into the clinic for immunological diseases, Kymera is focused on building an industry-leading pipeline of oral small molecule degraders to provide a new generation of convenient, highly effective therapies for patients with these conditions. Founded in 2016, Kymera has been recognized as one of Boston's top workplaces for the past several years. For more information about our science, pipeline and people, please visitwww.kymeratx.com or follow us onX (formerly Twitter)orLinkedIn.

Who we are:

Kymera is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) to develop medicines that address critical health problems and have the potential to dramatically improve patients' lives. Kymera is deploying TPD to address disease targets and pathways inaccessible with conventional therapeutics. Having advanced the first degrader into the clinic for immunological diseases, Kymera is focused on building an industry-leading pipeline of oral small molecule degraders to provide a new generation of convenient, highly effective therapies for patients with these conditions. Founded in 2016, Kymera has been recognized as one of Boston's top workplaces for the past several years. For more information about our science, pipeline and people, please visitwww.kymeratx.com or follow us onX (formerly Twitter)orLinkedIn.

How we work:

• PIONEER: We are courageous, resilient and rigorous in our mission to improve patients' lives through our revolutionary degrader medicines.
• COLLABORATE: We value trust + transparency from everyone. Our goals are shared, our decisions data-driven and our camaraderie genuine.
• BELONG: We recognize our differences, inviting curiosity and inclusivity, so that our people are valued, seen, and heard.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Lead Translational Medicine (TM) operations for clinical studies, overseeing end-to-end biospecimen management from study start-up through closeout.
• Develop and execute biospecimen operational strategies, including collection, processing, handling, shipment, tracking, reconciliation, and archival activities.
• Manage central laboratory and vendor operations, including study setup, contract management, laboratory documentation, assay support, kit management, and performance oversight.
• Partner cross-functionally with Translational Medicine, Clinical Operations, Biomarker Scientists, CROs, CRUs, and external vendors to ensure successful execution of biomarker and biospecimen activities.
• Oversee site operational readiness by supporting study start-up, investigator site training, biospecimen collection procedures, and ongoing site issue resolution.
• Monitor biospecimen quality and data integrity by managing sample deviations, resolving operational issues, conducting root cause analyses, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead operational execution for complex, multi-site clinical studies by proactively identifying risks, managing escalations, and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure study timelines and objectives are achieved.
• Ensure compliance with study protocols, regulatory requirements, and company standards while driving continuous process improvements across Translational Medicine operations.

Skills and experience you’ll bring:

• 7–10+ years of experience in Translational Medicine Operations, Clinical Sample Management, Biomarker Operations, or a related drug development function within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related discipline required.
• Advanced degree (MS, MPH, or PhD) preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end biospecimen operations for Phase I–III clinical trials, including sample collection, processing, shipment, tracking, reconciliation, and study closeout.
• Proven ability to manage central laboratories, specialty laboratories, and external vendors, including study start-up, laboratory manual review, kit management, performance oversight, and issue resolution.
• Experience developing biospecimen operational documents such as laboratory manuals, sample management plans, collection guidelines, and processing instructions.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial operations and collaboration with Clinical Operations, CROs, clinical sites, and Clinical Research Units (CRUs).
• Experience overseeing vendor contracts, scopes of work, budgets, and cross-functional partnerships with Legal, Procurement/Sourcing, and Finance.
• Experience managing sample deviations and ensuring sample and data integrity.
• Knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines, biospecimen chain of custody, sample handling best practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience using sample tracking systems, Smartsheet, or similar operational tools.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple studies, manage timelines, identify risks, and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced biotechnology environment with evolving clinical development programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and mentoring high-performing teams, including direct people management and performance development.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders in a matrixed organization without direct reporting authority.
• Experience supporting early-phase (Phase I/II) immunology, where translational endpoints are a major focus. (Preferred)
• Experience with pharmacodynamic assays, flow cytometry, genomics, transcriptomics, IHC or other biomarker platforms. (Preferred)
• Familiarity with assay validation activities and laboratory technology transfers. (Preferred)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kymera Therapeutics is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sex, marital status, gender expression or identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

Compensation

• Kymera offers a competitive compensation package that recognizes both results and capabilities through market-based, performance-driven pay.
• The anticipated base salary range for this role is $145,000 – $240,000, with eligibility for annual bonus, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits.
• Actual salary is based on a holistic evaluation of the specific role/level as well as each candidate’s depth of experience and the capabilities they bring to the position.