Akebia Therapeutics is hiring: Senior Director, Technical Operations - Biologics
Akebia Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, United States
Senior Director, Technical Operations - Biologics
Cambridge, MA – Full‑Time/Regular.
Location: This position is currently based in our Cambridge, MA office. Offices will relocate to Waltham, MA later this year, and this role will transition accordingly. We follow a flexible, "magnet not mandate" approach to in‑office work, encouraging collaboration and onsite engagement while supporting hybrid flexibility based on role and business needs.
Nearly 37 million Americans are currently affected by Chronic Kidney Disease. Our mission is to develop unique therapeutics that may set new standards of care for people living with kidney disease.
Job Summary As Senior Director, Technical Operations – Biologics, you will lead end‑to‑end CMC development and manufacturing strategy for AKB‑097, ensuring progression from clinical development through commercialization. You will build and execute a comprehensive biologics manufacturing strategy, including process and analytical development, formulation development, external manufacturing, and regulatory CMC strategy. You will serve as a key member of the Technical Operations leadership team and strategic partner to R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial leadership, overseeing the external biologics manufacturing network to ensure reliable clinical and commercial supply.
Responsibilities Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the global CMC and manufacturing strategy for AKB‑097, aligning technical development with regulatory and program objectives.
Serve as the CMC executive lead on the AKB‑097 program team, representing Technical Operations in cross‑functional decision making.
Establish long‑term external manufacturing and lifecycle management strategies supporting global commercialization.
Technical Development & Manufacturing
Provide technical and strategic oversight for drug substance and drug product process development, including cell line development, process development, formulation development, and manufacturing.
Oversee development of robust analytical methods, product characterization, and product comparability assessments.
Ensure successful scale‑up, technology transfer, process validation, and commercial readiness.
Build and manage a network of CDMOs and strategic manufacturing partners supporting biologics development and manufacturing.
Lead governance structures and strategic partnerships with external manufacturers.
Ensure reliable clinical and commercial supply through effective planning, risk mitigation, and partnership with Akebia’s supply chain organization.
Regulatory & Quality Strategy
Provide leadership for CMC regulatory strategy supporting INDs, BLAs, and global regulatory filings.
Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure global compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements.
Support regulatory agency interactions, inspections, and CMC submission strategy.
Organizational Leadership
Build and lead a high‑performing biologics technical development and operations organization.
Recruit, develop, and mentor senior technical leaders and teams.
Foster a culture of scientific excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
Partner closely with Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to ensure integrated development and launch readiness.
Contribute to portfolio planning and corporate strategy discussions related to biologics development and manufacturing.
Education & Experience
MS or PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.
12+ years of progressive experience in biologics process development, product characterization, manufacturing, and technical operations within the biotechnology industry.
Demonstrated leadership advancing biologic therapeutics from development through late‑stage clinical trials and commercialization.
Experience leading product comparability studies, supporting BLA submissions and commercial launch preparation.
Experience establishing and managing global biologics manufacturing networks.
Experience with monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, or other complex biologics modalities.
Technical Expertise
Deep expertise in biologics CMC development, including cell culture and purification development, analytical development, formulation development, and manufacturing scale‑up.
Strong knowledge of GMP requirements and global regulatory expectations for biologics.
Significant experience contributing to regulatory submissions (IND, BLA, or equivalent), including product comparability assessments.
Leadership & Strategic Skills
Proven ability to lead complex development programs and organizations in a fast‑paced biotechnology environment.
Strong strategic thinking, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Demonstrated ability to build high‑performing teams and external partnerships.
Compensation Targeted Base: $245,987 – $303,866 (Base compensation will depend on qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience, and may fall outside of this range). Base pay is one component of the company’s total rewards package, which includes equity, corporate bonus program, incentive compensation program (if applicable), and benefits such as health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.
Akebia is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes all job applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
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Location: This position is currently based in our Cambridge, MA office. Offices will relocate to Waltham, MA later this year, and this role will transition accordingly. We follow a flexible, "magnet not mandate" approach to in‑office work, encouraging collaboration and onsite engagement while supporting hybrid flexibility based on role and business needs.
Nearly 37 million Americans are currently affected by Chronic Kidney Disease. Our mission is to develop unique therapeutics that may set new standards of care for people living with kidney disease.
Job Summary As Senior Director, Technical Operations – Biologics, you will lead end‑to‑end CMC development and manufacturing strategy for AKB‑097, ensuring progression from clinical development through commercialization. You will build and execute a comprehensive biologics manufacturing strategy, including process and analytical development, formulation development, external manufacturing, and regulatory CMC strategy. You will serve as a key member of the Technical Operations leadership team and strategic partner to R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial leadership, overseeing the external biologics manufacturing network to ensure reliable clinical and commercial supply.
Responsibilities Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the global CMC and manufacturing strategy for AKB‑097, aligning technical development with regulatory and program objectives.
Serve as the CMC executive lead on the AKB‑097 program team, representing Technical Operations in cross‑functional decision making.
Establish long‑term external manufacturing and lifecycle management strategies supporting global commercialization.
Technical Development & Manufacturing
Provide technical and strategic oversight for drug substance and drug product process development, including cell line development, process development, formulation development, and manufacturing.
Oversee development of robust analytical methods, product characterization, and product comparability assessments.
Ensure successful scale‑up, technology transfer, process validation, and commercial readiness.
Build and manage a network of CDMOs and strategic manufacturing partners supporting biologics development and manufacturing.
Lead governance structures and strategic partnerships with external manufacturers.
Ensure reliable clinical and commercial supply through effective planning, risk mitigation, and partnership with Akebia’s supply chain organization.
Regulatory & Quality Strategy
Provide leadership for CMC regulatory strategy supporting INDs, BLAs, and global regulatory filings.
Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure global compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements.
Support regulatory agency interactions, inspections, and CMC submission strategy.
Organizational Leadership
Build and lead a high‑performing biologics technical development and operations organization.
Recruit, develop, and mentor senior technical leaders and teams.
Foster a culture of scientific excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
Partner closely with Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to ensure integrated development and launch readiness.
Contribute to portfolio planning and corporate strategy discussions related to biologics development and manufacturing.
Education & Experience
MS or PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.
12+ years of progressive experience in biologics process development, product characterization, manufacturing, and technical operations within the biotechnology industry.
Demonstrated leadership advancing biologic therapeutics from development through late‑stage clinical trials and commercialization.
Experience leading product comparability studies, supporting BLA submissions and commercial launch preparation.
Experience establishing and managing global biologics manufacturing networks.
Experience with monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, or other complex biologics modalities.
Technical Expertise
Deep expertise in biologics CMC development, including cell culture and purification development, analytical development, formulation development, and manufacturing scale‑up.
Strong knowledge of GMP requirements and global regulatory expectations for biologics.
Significant experience contributing to regulatory submissions (IND, BLA, or equivalent), including product comparability assessments.
Leadership & Strategic Skills
Proven ability to lead complex development programs and organizations in a fast‑paced biotechnology environment.
Strong strategic thinking, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Demonstrated ability to build high‑performing teams and external partnerships.
Compensation Targeted Base: $245,987 – $303,866 (Base compensation will depend on qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience, and may fall outside of this range). Base pay is one component of the company’s total rewards package, which includes equity, corporate bonus program, incentive compensation program (if applicable), and benefits such as health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.
Akebia is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes all job applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
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