Operations Director Jobs in Cambridge, MA
Operations Director jobs in Cambridge, Massachusetts draw heavily from the life sciences, biotech, and higher education sectors concentrated in Kendall Square, East Cambridge, and the MIT corridor, with additional openings in healthcare and professional services. Employers hiring right now include Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Moderna, and Flagship Pioneering. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Director, Early Oncology Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor ExcellenceThis is a newly created strategic leadership role, established as part of the evolution of the CPSO Centre of Excellence (COE). The Director, Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor Excellence is accountable for driving the Early Oncology CPSO technology strategy and vendor governance agenda— ensuring that the tools, platforms, and partnerships that underpin clinical study delivery are fit for purpose, future-ready, and delivering measurable value for Early Oncology.
Sitting at the intersection of clinical operations, digital innovation, and strategic vendor management, this role shapes how CPSO and its COE enabling communities harness technology — from Central Lab Partnerships (CLP), Outsourced CRO Partnerships, Interactive Response Technology (IRT) systems to digital health tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled process automation. The role also provides senior-level oversight of external vendor relationships, ensuring accountability, performance, and alignment to AstraZeneca's clinical delivery priorities.
Responsibilities:
Vendor Technology Strategy & Innovation
- Own and drive the EO clinical operations vendor technology roadmap, aligned to CPSO and broader R&D digital strategy.
- Provide strategic oversight of our Outsourcing Partnership Model, CLP Model, key platform areas including IRT/RTSM, digital health tools, Vendor AI and automation capabilities, and emerging technologies relevant to clinical trial delivery.
- Partner with Global Clinical Solutions (GCS), alliance management and external innovation partners to identify, evaluate, and scale technologies that improve speed, quality, and efficiency in EO clinical operations.
- Champion an innovation culture across CPSO and COE enabling communities — enabling experimentation, piloting new capabilities, and rapid scaling of what works.
- Lead the integration of AI and automation into clinical operations vendor workflows as needed, working closely with the AI & Automation COE community.
Vendor Excellence & Strategic Partnerships
- Define and lead a best-in-class vendor governance framework for EO CPSO technology vendors, CROs, and specialist service providers. This includes developing and implementing a clear escalation path within EO and beyond.
- Oversees EO vendor performance management — including EO KPI frameworks, escalation pathways, business review cadences, and contract compliance monitoring.
- Lead EO vendor relationships and serve as our EO point of contact for strategic technology and service partners including CLPs, Digital Health, iRT, and Outsourcing Partnership
- Drive vendor and portfolio optimization within EO, ensuring AstraZeneca achieves maximum value from its external partnerships.
- Partners with Procurement, as needed, to shape vendor strategy, competitive sourcing, and contract negotiations for key EO clinical operations technology platforms.
- Develop and embed a vendor risk management approach, including business continuity planning and contingency frameworks for critical vendor systems within EO.
COE Community Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and leadership to the iRT/RTSM and Digital Health COE communities, ensuring their roadmaps and priorities align with broader CPSO and R&D objectives.
- Support community leads in building capability, setting quality standards, and embedding best practices across their respective areas.
- Connects technology and vendor insights across COE communities — acting as a bridge between the AI & Automation, Digital Health, and iRT/RTSM communities to drive coherent, joined-up delivery. Collaborates closely with the Onboarding, Training and Learning Community Lead and, Process and Quality Community Lead to ensure vendor related EO training and processes are adapted and communicated across CPSO
- Represents Vendor/Systems technology and vendor excellence in CPSO and COE leadership discussions
Operational Excellence & Delivery
- Ensure clinical operations technology platforms are delivered, maintained, and evolved with high reliability, quality, and user adoption within Early Oncology
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce friction, cycle times, and operational risk associated with technology-dependent processes.
- Develop and track metrics and dashboards that provide visibility of technology performance, vendor health, and return on investment.
- Collaborate with Process & Quality and Knowledge & Learning COE communities to ensure technology changes are accompanied by robust training, documentation, and change management.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across CPSO, R&D Operations, Procurement, Alliance, and Global Clinical Solutions
- Represent EO CPSO externally at industry forums, vendor advisory boards, and technology consortia.
- Communicate complex technology and vendor topics clearly and compellingly to non-technical leadership audiences.
- Influence the strategic direction of vendor product roadmaps in ways that serve AstraZeneca's clinical operations needs.
Essential requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Business, Supply Chain, Clinical Research, Health Sciences, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or related clinical research environments.
- Significant leadership experience in clinical operations, with deep knowledge of the drug development lifecycle and clinical trial delivery.
- Proven track record in technology strategy, digital transformation, or innovation leadership within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO environment.
- Strong vendor management expertise — including governance frameworks, performance management, and senior-level relationship management.
- Experience leading or working closely with outsourced CRO partners, IRT/RTSM, eClinical, or other clinical trial technology platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without authority across a complex, matrixed global organisation.
- Excellent communication and demonstrated ability to influence more senior colleagues.
- Experience leading through change and building capability within high-performing teams or communities.
Desirablerequirements:
- Familiarity with AI, machine learning, or automation technologies as applied to clinical development processes.
- Experience with Outsourced partners, RTSM, digital health tools, patient-facing technology, or decentralized clinical trial (DCT) approaches.
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements pertaining to clinical trial technology (e.g. 21 CFR Part 11, GCP, data privacy).
- Background in or exposure to procurement, contract management, or strategic sourcing.
- Experience operating within or leading a Centre of Excellence Enabling Support model.
This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of clinical operations technology within early oncology at one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. You will have the platform, resources, and senior sponsorship to build something meaningful — modernizing how clinical trials are delivered, and how vendor partnerships are managed, at a global scale.
As part of the newly evolved CPSO Centre of Excellence, you will be joining a community of experts who are passionate about improving the way we design, run, and learn from clinical studies — for the benefit of patients everywhere. The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $171,622 to $257,433. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans
Date Posted
24-Sep-2026Closing Date
07-Oct-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
Director, Early Oncology Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor ExcellenceThis is a newly created strategic leadership role, established as part of the evolution of the CPSO Centre of Excellence (COE). The Director, Clinical Operations Technology & Vendor Excellence is accountable for driving the Early Oncology CPSO technology strategy and vendor governance agenda— ensuring that the tools, platforms, and partnerships that underpin clinical study delivery are fit for purpose, future-ready, and delivering measurable value for Early Oncology.
Sitting at the intersection of clinical operations, digital innovation, and strategic vendor management, this role shapes how CPSO and its COE enabling communities harness technology — from Central Lab Partnerships (CLP), Outsourced CRO Partnerships, Interactive Response Technology (IRT) systems to digital health tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled process automation. The role also provides senior-level oversight of external vendor relationships, ensuring accountability, performance, and alignment to AstraZeneca's clinical delivery priorities.
Responsibilities:
Vendor Technology Strategy & Innovation
- Own and drive the EO clinical operations vendor technology roadmap, aligned to CPSO and broader R&D digital strategy.
- Provide strategic oversight of our Outsourcing Partnership Model, CLP Model, key platform areas including IRT/RTSM, digital health tools, Vendor AI and automation capabilities, and emerging technologies relevant to clinical trial delivery.
- Partner with Global Clinical Solutions (GCS), alliance management and external innovation partners to identify, evaluate, and scale technologies that improve speed, quality, and efficiency in EO clinical operations.
- Champion an innovation culture across CPSO and COE enabling communities — enabling experimentation, piloting new capabilities, and rapid scaling of what works.
- Lead the integration of AI and automation into clinical operations vendor workflows as needed, working closely with the AI & Automation COE community.
Vendor Excellence & Strategic Partnerships
- Define and lead a best-in-class vendor governance framework for EO CPSO technology vendors, CROs, and specialist service providers. This includes developing and implementing a clear escalation path within EO and beyond.
- Oversees EO vendor performance management — including EO KPI frameworks, escalation pathways, business review cadences, and contract compliance monitoring.
- Lead EO vendor relationships and serve as our EO point of contact for strategic technology and service partners including CLPs, Digital Health, iRT, and Outsourcing Partnership
- Drive vendor and portfolio optimization within EO, ensuring AstraZeneca achieves maximum value from its external partnerships.
- Partners with Procurement, as needed, to shape vendor strategy, competitive sourcing, and contract negotiations for key EO clinical operations technology platforms.
- Develop and embed a vendor risk management approach, including business continuity planning and contingency frameworks for critical vendor systems within EO.
COE Community Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and leadership to the iRT/RTSM and Digital Health COE communities, ensuring their roadmaps and priorities align with broader CPSO and R&D objectives.
- Support community leads in building capability, setting quality standards, and embedding best practices across their respective areas.
- Connects technology and vendor insights across COE communities — acting as a bridge between the AI & Automation, Digital Health, and iRT/RTSM communities to drive coherent, joined-up delivery. Collaborates closely with the Onboarding, Training and Learning Community Lead and, Process and Quality Community Lead to ensure vendor related EO training and processes are adapted and communicated across CPSO
- Represents Vendor/Systems technology and vendor excellence in CPSO and COE leadership discussions
Operational Excellence & Delivery
- Ensure clinical operations technology platforms are delivered, maintained, and evolved with high reliability, quality, and user adoption within Early Oncology
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce friction, cycle times, and operational risk associated with technology-dependent processes.
- Develop and track metrics and dashboards that provide visibility of technology performance, vendor health, and return on investment.
- Collaborate with Process & Quality and Knowledge & Learning COE communities to ensure technology changes are accompanied by robust training, documentation, and change management.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across CPSO, R&D Operations, Procurement, Alliance, and Global Clinical Solutions
- Represent EO CPSO externally at industry forums, vendor advisory boards, and technology consortia.
- Communicate complex technology and vendor topics clearly and compellingly to non-technical leadership audiences.
- Influence the strategic direction of vendor product roadmaps in ways that serve AstraZeneca's clinical operations needs.
Essential requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Business, Supply Chain, Clinical Research, Health Sciences, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or related clinical research environments.
- Significant leadership experience in clinical operations, with deep knowledge of the drug development lifecycle and clinical trial delivery.
- Proven track record in technology strategy, digital transformation, or innovation leadership within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO environment.
- Strong vendor management expertise — including governance frameworks, performance management, and senior-level relationship management.
- Experience leading or working closely with outsourced CRO partners, IRT/RTSM, eClinical, or other clinical trial technology platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without authority across a complex, matrixed global organisation.
- Excellent communication and demonstrated ability to influence more senior colleagues.
- Experience leading through change and building capability within high-performing teams or communities.
Desirablerequirements:
- Familiarity with AI, machine learning, or automation technologies as applied to clinical development processes.
- Experience with Outsourced partners, RTSM, digital health tools, patient-facing technology, or decentralized clinical trial (DCT) approaches.
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements pertaining to clinical trial technology (e.g. 21 CFR Part 11, GCP, data privacy).
- Background in or exposure to procurement, contract management, or strategic sourcing.
- Experience operating within or leading a Centre of Excellence Enabling Support model.
This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of clinical operations technology within early oncology at one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. You will have the platform, resources, and senior sponsorship to build something meaningful — modernizing how clinical trials are delivered, and how vendor partnerships are managed, at a global scale.
As part of the newly evolved CPSO Centre of Excellence, you will be joining a community of experts who are passionate about improving the way we design, run, and learn from clinical studies — for the benefit of patients everywhere. The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $171,622 to $257,433. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans
Date Posted
24-Sep-2026Closing Date
07-Oct-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
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Find Operations Director JobsOperations Director Job Market in Cambridge
Who's Hiring
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals29
- IPSEN20
- Moderna19
- Flagship Pioneering19
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Operations Director Jobs in Cambridge: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a operations director job in Cambridge?
Cambridge hiring concentrates in life sciences and biotech firms anchored in Kendall Square, research-driven institutions along the MIT and Harvard corridors, and growing healthcare and professional services organizations in East Cambridge. Candidates with cross-functional operations experience in regulated industries stand out, as do those who understand clinical or academic research workflows. Demonstrating scale, process improvement outcomes, and comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments gives a clear edge in this market.
Which companies hire operations directors in Cambridge?
Cambridge operations director roles are posted by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Moderna, and Flagship Pioneering and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The Cambridge employer base skews toward biotech and pharmaceutical firms, academic medical centers, and research-stage technology companies, many of which staff operations leadership at multiple levels.
Are there remote operations director jobs in Cambridge?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type. Operations director work in biotech labs, clinical settings, and physical facilities is largely on-site, while strategy, vendor management, and program operations roles can run hybrid or fully remote. About 57% of operations director openings tied to Cambridge are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the flexible arrangements most common among technology and professional services employers rather than lab-based organizations.
How can I get a operations director job in Cambridge with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Cambridge is moving up from an operations manager or senior program manager role within a local biotech, healthtech, or university-affiliated organization. Cambridge employers, including research institutes and early-stage life sciences companies, frequently promote internally from project or site operations roles. Building experience with regulated processes, cross-departmental coordination, and vendor or budget oversight while in a mid-level role positions you well for the step up to director.
Which industries hire the most operations directors in Cambridge?
Most operations director openings in Cambridge sit in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Cambridge's dense concentration of biotech campuses, academic research institutions, and healthcare systems creates sustained demand for operations leadership that can manage complex, compliance-driven environments at scale.
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