Associate Director, Corporate Operations - Process Improvement & Optimization Leader (Biotechnology)

Location: Remote

Salary: $134,204–$197,100 annually

Company

Ionis is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company developing RNA-targeted medicines, gene-editing approaches, and therapies for serious diseases.

What you will do

• Lead enterprise transformation and process improvement initiatives from strategy through implementation and benefits realization.
• Partner with senior leaders to set priorities, establish governance, and create execution plans.
• Lead Research-to-Development, Accelerate Clinical Trials, and Protocol Optimization initiatives.
• Improve Development and Procurement processes, including planning, vendor management, sourcing, and cross-functional handoffs.
• Diagnose operational issues and design operating models, processes, tools, dashboards, and success measures.
• Facilitate workshops and governance forums while leading matrixed teams, consultants, and external partners through adoption and measurable outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience, or 8+ years with a master’s degree.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Life sciences or pharmaceutical experience required; knowledge of drug development is preferred.
• Experience in Development, Clinical Operations, Research, Procurement, or Vendor Management is preferred.
• Strong strategic problem-solving, operating-model design, change-management, executive communication, facilitation, influence, and relationship-building skills.

Nice to have

• MBA or another advanced degree.
• Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, PMP, or comparable certification.
• Experience with drug development and related clinical operations.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote work environment focused on collaboration and lasting professional relationships.
• Opportunity to contribute to initiatives affecting drug development and patients with unmet needs.
• Benefits package offered.
• Work includes collaboration across business units, senior leadership, consultants, and external partners.