Director, Facility Operations

Role Summary

As Director, Facility Operations, you will lead the strategic and facility operational management of a state-of-the-art clinical manufacturing facility, driving robust, compliant operations across clinical manufacturing, testing labs, and administrative functions. You will operationalize GMP facilities, scale infrastructure, and institutionalize systems to support growth and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to proactively build and ensure reliable, compliant, and uninterrupted facility operations.
• Drive efficiency and robustness across all facility functions; anticipate operational and strategic needs and drive actions to fill gaps.
• Develop and lead enterprise-wide facilities and engineering strategies to support business growth, capacity expansion, and risk mitigation.
• Mentor and manage team members, ensuring alignment of day-to-day operations with broader organizational objectives.
• Champion a proactive safety culture; oversee EH&S programs and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Provide leadership to ensure timely execution and resolution of Deviations, CAPAs, Change Controls, and Risk Assessments.
• Oversee the end-to-end management of GMP and non-GMP facilities, including infrastructure, critical utilities, space planning, interaction with landlord facility team and technical projects.
• Ensure readiness to support dynamic operational needs, including construction and qualification of new or modified spaces.
• Lead strategic vendor management; negotiate contracts with third-party service providers to secure favorable terms and align with budgetary constraints.
• Manage facilities budget ensuring alignment with financial targets; identify opportunities to streamline vendor operations and reduce costs through process improvements and technology adoption.
• Own and drive long-term asset management strategies, including preventative and predictive maintenance, calibration programs, and lifecycle oversight of all critical infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in chemical, bioengineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 10+ years of facilities and engineering experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, including people leadership experience.
• Advanced knowledge of facilities systems and strong knowledge/understanding of FDA regulations (GMPs) and industry standards.
• Solid knowledge of cGMP Quality systems (change management, deviation management and validation).
• Ability to manage shifting priorities to meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic, growing environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication skills and ability to influence across multiple functions to get the job done.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills to drive change and foster flexibility, innovation, and accountability.

Skills

• Leadership and team management
• Strategic planning and operational excellence
• Vendor management and contract negotiation
• Budgeting and cost optimization
• Regulatory compliance (GMP, EH&S)
• Facilities systems knowledge (utilities, infrastructure, space planning)
• Problem solving, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration

Education

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in a relevant engineering field or equivalent experience