Title: R&D Operations Manager
Duration 2 Years (Possible extension)
Location: Remote - Must be available to work Pacific Standard Hours
Flexibility allowed, but expectation is availability through ~3:00 PM PST
 
Top 3 Must Have Skill Sets:
Demonstrated proficiency with data visualization tools
Must be able to have an executive presence
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
 
Intake notes:
Seeking a strong communicator who can work independently and manage budgets as a project, not a pure finance role. Candidate should have experience in project management, operations, or budget coordination, with the ability to think strategically, communicate clearly (written and verbal), and partner cross-functionally.
Biotech/pharma experience and advanced finance degrees are not required. Looking for someone adaptable, eager to learn, and interested in long-term engagement. Role is remote with availability during Pacific hours.
 
The R&D Business Operations organization addresses complex business challenges with outstanding people, tools, and processes, delivering on key initiatives and capabilities to support R&D. The team is committed to continuous improvement and serving our ever-changing, fast-paced business functions with excellence. This role will lead and facilitate budget planning and execution for several functions within R&D. These responsibilities will additionally include analytics on spending trends and resource utilization. This individual will partner with our function Strategic Planning and Operations Leads to collect, prioritize, and execute the annual budget plan, liaise with finance to provide quarterly, year-end, and ad-hoc deliverables, guide our contract management team on escalated procure-to-pay issues, and potentially support analytics for functional or cross-functional initiatives.
 
Basic Qualifications:
Master’s degree and 3 years of biotech/pharma-related business operations/financial analytics experience
OR
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of biotech/pharma-related business operations/financial analytics experience
 
Preferred Qualifications:
• Biotech / Pharma experience: Helpful but not required
• Experience with financial reporting and forecasting
• General familiarity with the drug development process and various business units within an R&D function
• Demonstrated proficiency with data visualization tools (Tableau) and collaboration tools (Smartsheet, MS Teams)
• Fluent with MS Office suite and advanced capabilities in Excel
• Experience with enterprise tools SAP, Ariba, Anaplan
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to thrive in a complex and matrixed environment, to collaborate and coordinate with individuals at various levels, to influence others effectively and handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Excellent communicator able to develop and deliver communications that facilitate organizational change in an efficient, effective, and expedient manner
• Quick learner who is proactive and takes initiative
 
From intake notes:

1. Communication (critical)
   o Clear verbal communication
   o Strong written communication (previous CWs submitted writing samples)
2. Ability to work autonomously
   o Self-directed, minimal hand-holding
3. Project OR budget management experience
   o Either is acceptable; does not need to be finance-centric

 
Day to Day Responsibilities:

• This role will lead and facilitate budget planning and execution for several functions within R&D.
• These responsibilities will additionally include analytics on spending trends and resource utilization.
• This individual will partner with our function Strategic Planning and Operations Leads to collect, prioritize, and execute the annual budget plan, liaise with finance to provide quarterly, year-end, and ad-hoc deliverables, guide our contract management team on escalated procure-to-pay issues, and potentially support analytics for functional or cross-functional initiatives.
• The role will also play a key role in successfully transitioning the budget planning and execution capability to the global harmonized planning solution.

 
Possible Extension:
Yes
 
Red Flags:
Not possessing the top must have skills
• Overly finance-centric or accounting-only profiles
• Candidates focused narrowly on forecasting / transactional finance
• No experience or interest in project or budget management
• Pattern of very short CW assignments (job hopping)
 
Interview Process:
I plan to conduct an initial virtual screening with the chosen candidates and then an additional virtual panel interview to be conducted with my existing team members.
  
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 54.95/hr.