Executive Director, Strategic Operations
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
August 19, 2026
On-site
Los Angeles, CA
Operations
The Executive Director, Strategic Operations is responsible for steering strategic planning and operational excellence to ensure seamless execution of Global Operations and Product Delivery, including alignment and governance of the technical portfolio.
Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Management: Refine and prioritize the technical portfolio backlog; ensure strategic alignment and optimal resource allocation.
- Operational Management: Develop/manage functional operating rhythm; lead operational reviews; ensure execution against strategic plans.
- Long Range Planning: Lead lifecycle management (LCM) planning across Global Operations and Product Delivery to maximize long-term asset value.
- Trade Operations: Oversee global trade policy/strategy; drive proactive regulatory engagement; align trade compliance with business growth.
- Functional Alignment: Foster cross-team alignment and proactive collaboration.
- Risk Management and Network Strategy: Develop manufacturing strategies affecting capacity/network limits; recommend strategies supporting business cases and investments.
- Governance Process: Lead governance for the technical portfolio, partnerships, and licensees requiring CMC or Supply services.
- Evaluation and Assessment: Lead/support strategic evaluations (competitive levers, technology/portfolio gaps, unmet needs).
- Transformation & Change Management: Champion change initiatives, especially integrating advanced technologies.
- Budget and Metrics: Own the budget; develop organizational metrics.
- Supplier/Partnerships: Manage suppliers/partnerships to ensure favorable terms and performance.
- Talent Initiatives & Internal Communications: Support D&I and workforce excellence initiatives; collaborate on consistent internal communications.
Requirements:
- Doctorate (6 years) OR Master’s (10 years) OR Bachelor’s (12 years) in strategic planning/operations.
- 6 years managerial experience managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams/projects/programs or resource allocation.
- Strong leadership/communication; effective vendor management.
- Ability to work in a matrixed, team-based environment; strong organizational/time management.
- Travel up to 20%.
Preferred:
- 12+ years in biotechnology/healthcare strategic planning/operations in Lean or Agile environments.
- Experience managing healthcare technology portfolios; cross-functional leadership.
- Change management success; budget/metrics ownership.
- Supplier contract management/negotiation.
- Executive communication skills; MBA or related advanced degree.
Application instructions: Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.
Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Management: Refine and prioritize the technical portfolio backlog; ensure strategic alignment and optimal resource allocation.
- Operational Management: Develop/manage functional operating rhythm; lead operational reviews; ensure execution against strategic plans.
- Long Range Planning: Lead lifecycle management (LCM) planning across Global Operations and Product Delivery to maximize long-term asset value.
- Trade Operations: Oversee global trade policy/strategy; drive proactive regulatory engagement; align trade compliance with business growth.
- Functional Alignment: Foster cross-team alignment and proactive collaboration.
- Risk Management and Network Strategy: Develop manufacturing strategies affecting capacity/network limits; recommend strategies supporting business cases and investments.
- Governance Process: Lead governance for the technical portfolio, partnerships, and licensees requiring CMC or Supply services.
- Evaluation and Assessment: Lead/support strategic evaluations (competitive levers, technology/portfolio gaps, unmet needs).
- Transformation & Change Management: Champion change initiatives, especially integrating advanced technologies.
- Budget and Metrics: Own the budget; develop organizational metrics.
- Supplier/Partnerships: Manage suppliers/partnerships to ensure favorable terms and performance.
- Talent Initiatives & Internal Communications: Support D&I and workforce excellence initiatives; collaborate on consistent internal communications.
Requirements:
- Doctorate (6 years) OR Master’s (10 years) OR Bachelor’s (12 years) in strategic planning/operations.
- 6 years managerial experience managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams/projects/programs or resource allocation.
- Strong leadership/communication; effective vendor management.
- Ability to work in a matrixed, team-based environment; strong organizational/time management.
- Travel up to 20%.
Preferred:
- 12+ years in biotechnology/healthcare strategic planning/operations in Lean or Agile environments.
- Experience managing healthcare technology portfolios; cross-functional leadership.
- Change management success; budget/metrics ownership.
- Supplier contract management/negotiation.
- Executive communication skills; MBA or related advanced degree.
Application instructions: Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.