At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale operations for clinical trials, ensuring speed and quality in delivery.
- Company: Join Alnylam, a leader in RNAi therapeutics with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, flexible work options, and generous time off.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving change in a rapidly evolving industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming lives through groundbreaking medical advancements.
- Qualifications: 20+ years in biotech/pharma with expertise in clinical development operations.
The Vice President, Business Operations & Partnerships is a critical executive-level role responsible for defining, governing, and scaling the operating model that enables Alnylam’s Pipeline Delivery organization to execute on clinical trials with speed, quality, and predictability across a growing and increasingly complex portfolio. This leader owns the integrated planning architecture, governance frameworks, resource and capacity strategy, external partner performance and delivery performance insights that enable Pipeline Delivery to execute on clinical programs with speed, quality, and predictability at scale. This is a high-impact, high-visibility position at a pivotal moment: Alnylam’s Pipeline is growing and the Pipeline Delivery organization must scale rapidly. The VP will serve as a key strategic advisor to PD leadership while building and leading a high-performing Business Operations & Partnerships team that will accelerate the organization’s ability to deliver medicines to patients.
Key Responsibilities
- Performance & Governance: Enable Pipeline Delivery to make informed, timely decisions through strong governance structures (i.e. Development Operations Council) and performance frameworks. Design and operationalize clear, efficient governance frameworks across the portfolio (e.g., cross-functional trial teams, Pipeline Delivery governance, escalation pathways). Enable decision clarity and speed by defining roles, decision rights, and “decision-ready” materials. Lead function performance tracking, including milestones, risks, and delivery confidence and provide actionable insights to Pipeline Delivery Leadership to support prioritization and trade-off decisions.
- Resource Planning & Management: With an enterprise view, develop and oversee the capabilities required to strategically plan and manage resources across Pipeline Delivery. Lead the design and implementation of resource planning frameworks that provide visibility into capacity, demand, and capability needs. Partner with Finance and functional leaders to align portfolio strategy, budgets, and resource allocation. Guide Vendor Management team members to implement tools and processes to optimize internal staffing models and external partner utilization. Ensure the organization has the right capabilities and capacity to support the evolving pipeline. Provide leadership with scenario planning and forecasting insights to support strategic decision-making.
- Vendor & Alliance Management: Define and execute a forward-looking, centralized vendor strategy, ensuring strong governance, clear accountability, and high-performing partnerships that enable speed, quality, and cost efficiency while keeping an enterprise lens. Provide strategic oversight and performance management of external partners — including CROs and key service providers — across the clinical development portfolio. Drive vendor strategy, governance frameworks, and accountability mechanisms to ensure high-quality, cost-effective delivery. Ensure partner performance is aligned to program timelines and organizational priorities. Lead governance of partner relationships with a focus on value realization and risk mitigation.
- Leadership Responsibilities: Build and lead a high-performing Portfolio Management organization supporting Pipeline Delivery. Foster strong partnerships across Clinical Research, Program Management, Clinical Operations, Data Management, IT, Finance, and external partners. Serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leaders on operating model design, systems strategy, and execution effectiveness. Champion a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability, and innovation. Develop organizational capabilities that enable the company to scale and deliver an expanding pipeline.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 20+ years of experience in biotech/pharma, with expertise in Clinical Development Operations.
- Proven ability to design and operationalize governance models, decision-making frameworks, escalation pathways, and portfolio performance management processes.
- Demonstrated success in organizational transformation and operating model design and implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to translate portfolio strategy into actionable operational plans, balancing timelines, budgets, capabilities, and organizational priorities.
- Significant experience managing strategic partnerships, CROs, and external service providers, including vendor governance, performance management, and contract oversight.
- Strong financial and business acumen, including experience partnering with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, investment planning, and scenario modeling.
- Experience developing executive-level insights, dashboards, and performance metrics to support informed decision-making and organizational transparency.
- Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and influencing skills with demonstrated success working across highly matrixed organizations and senior leadership teams.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to anticipate risks, evaluate trade-offs, and drive operational excellence.
- Excellent communication and executive presence with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, build scalable operating models, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Prior experience in RNAi or complex, multi-asset pipelines preferred.
VP, Business Operations & Partnerships in Cambridge employer: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
As an Associate Director in Brand Marketing for Rare Diseases, you will join a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to improving patients' lives through strategic marketing initiatives. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that values employee growth, offering opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the rare disease space. Located in a vibrant international setting, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded, making us an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling career in the pharmaceutical industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Business Operations & Partnerships in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
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If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Alnylam Pharmaceuticals!
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Business Operations & Partnerships in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Alnylam Pharmaceuticals that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Alnylam Pharmaceuticals does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Alnylam Pharmaceuticals's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. This shows your passion for the industry!
