Director, Research Operations

About SwanBio Therapeutics

SwanBio is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative gene therapy products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and diseases. SwanBio has a deeply experienced leadership team and is building an open, innovative culture that trusts its people, processes and science to deliver scientific, clinical and business success. SwanBio’s lead investor is Syncona, a premiere investment partner focused on building companies delivering transformational healthcare treatments. Syncona has a deep pool of capital and they are established leaders in the development of genetic medicine. In particular, they present a legacy of success in long term investment strategies for companies in the Gene and Cell Therapy space. Our goal is to become a world-leader in treating neurodegenerative diseases. With locations in Philadelphia and Boston, the SwanBio Team is building a strong pipeline of gene therapy development programs with a directed focus on critical unmet medical needs for CNS diseases. SwanBio offers all team members both competitive compensation and benefits.

The Opportunity 

SwanBio Therapeutics seeks an experienced and highly skilled Research Operations Director to build out the department’s operational plans for all research/preclinical activities as well as own and manage the execution of these plans, timelines, risks/mitigations, and budget. They will primarily support the Vector Engineering, Translational Science and Medicine, and Assay Development activities for pre-clinical programs and function deliverables, as well as work cross-functionally with Program Development, Program Management, CMC and Clinical.  This is a critical role within the company with responsibility to track key research milestones and dependencies as well as support the culture and behaviors of a cross-functional organization. The Research Operations Director  will also be responsible for helping to build Research capabilities and achieve key functional milestones for the department. It is essential that the incumbent is a strong and capable team player, who is effective at working collaboratively both within the research organization as well as across functions to support the overall drug development efforts of SwanBio.

Key Responsibilities

In this role you will:

• Independently manage operational aspects of the research function, of varying complexity, within the Research Department and also in partnership with other parts of the R&D organization as needed, e.g., Program Development and Management, Manufacturing, Regulatory and Clinical
• Institute, maintain, and improve standard procedures for laboratory efficiencies
• Responsible for design and execution of new laboratory space in collaboration with Research members
• Coordinate cross functional development of LIMS and ELN systems in collaboration with IT
• Develop, maintain and track high-level and detailed research-oriented timelines, ensuring consistency with input from department representatives and early development team (EDT) members
• Raise potential problems / conflicts / issues with research deliverables, timelines, risks, or budget to Research leadership and participate in the problem-solving and resolution of potential on-going research operational challenges
• Anticipate Research needs proactively and raise research functional topics and deliverables for the team to consider that are 12-24 months ahead
• Identify, communicate and continually manage research function action items and risks/mitigations in relation to department activities, needs, and deliverables
• Prepare and maintain research operations update/progress reports and timeline revisions for any research deliverables, as required
• Support financial oversight of all ongoing research deliverables, including working closely with Finance in budget creation, reviews, accruals and forecasts
• Recommend and implement best practices for research (e.g., monthly dashboards for review, risk management logs, action item logs, resource planning), in close collaboration with Program Development/Management
• Present research operational updates to colleagues and senior leadership, where relevant, on a regular basis, within routine research department meetings
• Work with the Research team in interactions with external vendors to ensure timelines and accurate reporting of progress
• Management of laboratory purchasing and any other lab-based needs, including overseeing efficient inventory ordering
• Responsible, directly or indirectly, for care, repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment

Basic Requirements:

• BS / MS Degree in Business, Life Science, or related field
• 5-8 years of Research/Function-based Project Management or 2 years of Operations Management
• Gene and/or Cell Therapy experience highly preferred
• Experience in biologics required
• Broad knowledge of operations/project management tools and best practices

  Skills

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent problem solving ability
• Ability to multitask.
• Strong collaboration and team-working skills
• Possess a mind set of no job to big or too small.