Senior Director Operations & Strategic Projects

The Role:

Reporting to the Site Lead, MTC-M, this role provides overall leadership and accountability for manufacturing operations, central services and site strategic projects. The role leads a senior team, including the Director, Drug Product, and ensures alignment, performance, and capability across manufacturing operations in line with site and enterprise priorities.

It provides end-to-end oversight of site Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP) operations, central services and the portfolio of strategic projects required to deliver MTC-M’s 2026+ strategy. The Senior Director has overall accountably for safe, compliant and reliable GMP operations, delivery to plan, and execution of the commercial manufacturing transformation (operating model, capacity and performance systems). The role partners closely with MS&T, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities and Engineering and network stakeholders to ensure MTC-M is an integrated, high-performing node in Moderna’s global manufacturing network.

Here's What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead end to end GMP operations to manufacture mRNA drug substance and effect DP operations (formulation, filling, visual inspection and labelling/packaging), safely, compliantly and reliably in line with production plans and network needs. The role has oversight of ensuring aseptic best practice, throughput, cost and right-first-time performance.

• Architect and lead the Central Services Model – Build a network-wide central services model to support the site with standardised processes and documentation. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders across other sites, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and MS&T to ensure seamless integration of centralized support services, drive strategic alignment, and enhance operational performance across MTC-M and the enterprise.

• Define and maintain clear roles and responsibilities between Central Services and Operations to improve accountability and decision-making. 

• Drive DS/DP integration through cross-training, flexible resourcing and an operating rhythm that improves schedule adherence and responsiveness to demand.

• Manage annual spend; oversee year-over-year COGS-reduction targets, track to plan, and course-correct with Finance and Ops leadership.

• Drive Contracting & Vendor Governance – Establish consistent SCPO process; negotiate terms that result in standard industry costs.

• Engage routinely with supplier executive teams to influence and negotiate win/win terms for both companies.

Operations Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Deliver Operational Excellence & Compliance – Lead and ensure all operational deliverables required for OTIF. Partner with MS&T, Quality and Supply Chain to optimise DS processes, yield and robustness, including technology transfers, scale-up and continuous improvement.

• Lead the portfolio of strategic projects (e.g., QC lab stand-up, packaging, 10R verification and capacity/reliability upgrades) with clear governance, milestones and operational handover.

• Design and implement the commercial manufacturing operating model (e.g., shift patterns, resourcing, communications and culture roadmap) to increase capacity and reliability.

• Establish and continuously improve tiered accountability and an integrated KPI framework across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People; provide concise performance reporting to the Site Lead and network stakeholders.

• Influence decision-making by providing operational data, KPI dashboards, and key insights to the relevant Moderna Operations Leadership Teams.

• Coordinate the setup and maintenance of drug product Master Data including part numbers (PNs), bills of materials (BOMs), and product hierarchy. 

• Support SAP transactions related to Moderna-owned drug product inventory including raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished goods. 

• Provide operational support to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process as required. 

• Align MTC-M planning processes with Moderna’s network-level priorities to ensure capacity and delivery readiness.   

• Maintain a strong focus on long-term performance trends, continuous improvement, and harmonization across operations. 

• Provide operational support during site decommissioning activities, including inventory reconciliation and shutdown planning. 

• Collaborate with Quality to manage workflows in applicable QMS systems for external manufacturing changes and documentation

• Coordinate equipment decommissioning, site transfers, and other associated requirements in partnership with Engineering and Site Operations teams. 

• Deliver increased accountability, reduced issue resolution time, improved risk mitigation, and a sustainable support structure for long-term network performance. 

Contracts & Financials

• Own key site planning inputs for DS/DP, and Central Services (budget, headcount and S&OP/LRP inputs) and manage cross-functional trade-offs to deliver to plan.

• Lead the facilitation and negotiation of contracts and scope of work documents with relevant stakeholders

• Own cost reduction initiatives to meet Operations network targets and negotiate contracts to improve terms and reduce costs. 

• Establish and maintain a consistent SCPO and forecast process that ensures proper approvals, maintaining of binded forecasts and facilitates year end reconciliation across CMOs. 

• Owns year end reconciliation process to ensure on time and adequate annual closures. 

• Serve as the primary operational liaison for contract implementation, dispute resolution, and escalation with stakeholders and key vendors. 

• Oversee end-to-end management of supplier-facing financial transactions including PO creation, invoice approval, and issue resolution. Ensure governance system in place for contracts, POs, and invoice reconciliation. 

• Track and manage actual spend vs. budget; support financial accruals and monthly/yearly reconciliations. 

• Provide input to Long Range Planning (LRP), Budget, and Latest Estimate (LE) cycles as required. 

• Ensure there is a centralized repository of Moderna-owned equipment across the Operations network. 

People & Organizational Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing operations leadership team focused on operational excellence and service delivery; coach leaders, strengthen succession pipelines, and role-model a culture of safety, quality, learning and psychological safety.

• Train team to support in all areas of Operations, Central Services.

• Implement flexible resourcing strategies to support evolving network demands while developing deep process knowledge within the team. 

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Science, Pharmacy or a related discipline (Master’s/MBA desirable).

• 15+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical/biotech manufacturing, including senior leadership across GMP operations (DS and/or DP/aseptic).

• Lead and develop large, multidisciplinary teams in a complex, regulated manufacturing environment, including direct leadership of senior leaders and manager

• Demonstrated experience delivering technology transfer/scale-up, operational excellence and continuous improvement in a regulated environment.

• Proven track record leading complex, cross-functional programs or a strategic project portfolio with measurable delivery outcomes.

• Strong working knowledge of GMP manufacturing, quality systems (deviations, CAPA, change control) and inspection readiness; familiarity with aseptic/sterile operations where applicable.

• Working knowledge of operational performance systems (tiered meetings, KPI frameworks), risk management and data-driven decision-making.

• Strong stakeholder management skills in a global matrix, with the ability to align priorities, communicate trade-offs, and lead through ambiguity.

• Working knowledge of relevant and current TGA, FDA, EU, ICH guidelines and regulations preferred

• Working experience in a GMP environment.

• Ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment.

• Ability to efficiently prioritize and complete multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.

• As part of Moderna’s commitment to workplace health and safety, this role may be subject to pre-employment and periodic medical assessments, in line with relevant legal and operational requirements.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That’s why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs

• A holistic approach to well-being with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support

• Family building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown

• Savings and investments to help you plan for the future

• Location-specific perks and extras

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.  

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. 

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. 

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. 

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. 

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment. 

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply! 

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. 

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at [email protected]. 

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