Vice President, Quality Control

Candel Therapeutics; Needham (MA); Hybrid; USD 290,000 - 335,000; Full time

Job summary

Candel Therapeutics in Needham, MA is seeking a Vice President, Quality Control to lead global QC strategy across development and commercial programs. You will oversee testing frameworks, Method validation, and lifecycle management for viral vectors and advanced therapies.

The role requires an advanced scientific degree and 15+ years in biopharma QC, with strong leadership, regulatory experience, and a track record of building high-performing QC teams. Hybrid work arrangement available.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline; 15+ years in Quality Control within biopharma.
• Experience with biologics, viral vectors, or advanced therapies.
• Experience with global regulatory submissions and inspections.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead global QC strategy across development and commercial programs.
• Oversee QC systems including specifications, test methods, environmental monitoring, stability programs, reference standards, and batch release support.
• Ensure QC activities comply with FDA, EMA, ICH and data integrity standards.
• Lead method qualification, validation, transfer, and performance monitoring with Analytical Development.
• Manage internal and external laboratory operations, including CROs and CDMOs.
• Drive QC support for manufacturing operations including in-process, release, and stability testing.
• Provide leadership for OOS/OOT investigations, deviations, and CAPA implementation.
• Support regulatory submissions and inspections in collaboration with QA and Regulatory Affairs.
• Advance QC through digital transformation, automation, and laboratory systems (LIMS, ELN).
• Build and lead a high-performing QC organization and budget alignment.

Skills

QC leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Data integrity

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Advanced degree in scientific discipline

Tools

LIMS

ELN

QA automation tools

Job description

Hybrid role: (2-3 days a week in Needham office)

Salary: $290K - $335K

Why WorkWithUs?

At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive, mission-driven environment. Like a team, we show up for each other and stay focused on making a difference for patients and families. Our leadership is transparent and empowering, and our culture is built on trust, flexibility, and accountability, encouraging ownership and innovation every day.

Our Science: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies

Candel is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing off-the-shelf, multimodal immunotherapies that stimulate personalized, systemic anti-tumor responses. Our platforms use genetically modified adenovirus and HSV constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate,it’san exciting time to join us and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more: www.candeltx.com

Position Summary

The Vice President, Quality Control will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for all Quality Control functions supporting the development, manufacture, release, and lifecycle management of viral vector and advanced therapy products. This role serves as a key member of the CMC and Quality leadership team, ensuring that QC strategy, laboratory operations, and data integrity systems align with regulatory requirements, product quality objectives, and commercial readiness. The VP, Quality Control will oversee testing strategies, specification setting, method qualification/validation, transfer, and lifecycle management of QC systems supporting both clinical and commercial programs.

Key Interfaces

This role will work closely with CMC leadership, Analytical Development, Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, Supply Chain, Program Management, external laboratories (CROs/CDMOs), and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the global Quality Control strategy, including laboratory infrastructure, testing frameworks, and lifecycle management across development and commercial programs.
• Provide governance and oversight for QC systems including specifications, test methods, environmental monitoring, stability programs, reference standards, and batch release support.
• Ensure QC activities are compliant with global regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, ICH) including cGMP expectations and data integrity standards.
• Lead method qualification, validation, transfer, and performance monitoring in partnership with Analytical Development.
• Oversee internal and external laboratory operations, including CROs and CDMOs.
• Drive QC support for manufacturing operations including in-process, release, and stability testing.
• Provide leadership for OOS/OOT investigations, deviations, and CAPA implementation.
• Support regulatory submissions and inspections in collaboration with QA and Regulatory Affairs.
• Advance QC through digital transformation, automation, and laboratory systems (LIMS, ELN).
• Build and lead a high-performing QC organization.
• Manage budgets, capital planning, and resources aligned to program priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific discipline preferred or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of experience in Quality Control in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience supporting biologics, viral vector, or advanced therapy products.
• Strong knowledge of QC systems including validation, microbiology, stability, and data integrity.
• Experience with global regulatory submissions and inspections.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or transforming QC organizations.
• Experience with advanced therapy modalities (gene therapy, viral vectors).
• Experience implementing digital QC systems.
• Experience managing external laboratory networks.
• Industry leadership through publications or regulatory engagement.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic leadership with strong quality and regulatory expertise.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Strong risk-based decision making.
• Commitment to quality culture and inspection readiness.
• Excellent communication skills.

Must be authorized to work in US. We cannot provide sponsorships.