Associate Director, Corporate Operations - Process Improvement & Optimization Leader

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CORPORATE OPERATIONS - PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & OPTIMIZATION LEADER

SUMMARY:

Ionis Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced process improvement and enterprise transformation leader to serve as Associate Director, Corporate Operations – Process Improvement & Optimization Leader. This role will own and lead a portfolio of priority cross-functional initiatives that improve how Ionis plans, governs, and delivers work across the enterprise. The Associate Director will partner with business units and senior leaders to identify opportunities, shape strategic priorities, design practical solutions, and drive implementation through measurable business outcomes. 

The role will have a particular focus on initiatives that strengthen Ionis’s ability to operate as a fully integrated biotechnology company. Near-term examples include supporting Research-to-Development (R2D) and Accelerate Clinical Trials (ACT) priorities; advancing Protocol Optimization across process, governance, technology, and downstream content; and improving ways of working across Development and Procurement, including vendor strategy, sourcing, planning, readiness, and execution. The successful candidate will translate insights into action, align diverse stakeholders around a common path forward, and ensure that transformation efforts deliver sustained improvements in speed, quality, decision-making, readiness, cost, and stakeholder experience. 

The Associate Director will operate with significant independence, provide thought leadership on complex and ambiguous issues, and lead through influence across functions and levels. 

WORK LOCATION: Remote

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a portfolio of enterprise transformation and process improvement initiatives from strategy through implementation and benefits realization.
• Partner with senior leaders to set priorities, establish governance, and develop execution plans.
• Lead R2D, ACT, and Protocol Optimization initiatives that improve development, trial readiness, protocol design, decision-making, and execution.
• Improve Development and Procurement processes, including planning, vendor management, sourcing, and cross-functional handoffs.
• Diagnose complex operational issues and design practical operating models, processes, tools, and dashboards.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops and governance forums to align stakeholders, resolve issues, and manage dependencies.
• Manage milestones, resources, budgets, risks, decisions, and escalations; recommend corrective action as needed.
• Define success measures, track outcomes, and lead adoption through communications, training, and feedback.
• Lead matrixed teams, consultants, and external partners through clear direction, prioritization, coaching, and accountability.
• Build enterprise networks, scale successful pilots into standard practices, and provide executive-ready recommendations and updates.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, or 8+ years with a master’s degree.
• Proven success leading cross-functional transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Life sciences or pharmaceutical experience; knowledge of drug development preferred.
• Experience in Development, Clinical Operations, Research, Procurement, or Vendor Management preferred
• Strong strategic problem-solving, operating-model design, and change-management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, risks, vendors, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong executive communication, facilitation, influence, and relationship-building skills.
• Independent judgment and the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Lean Six Sigma, Prosci, PMP, or comparable certification is a plus.

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS004083

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for this position is $134,204 to $197,100

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.

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