Director, Technical Development Operations

** The Role
** Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.

As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.

Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.

We are seeking an execution-driven, scientifically-grounded leader to establish and operationalize Moderna’s centralized Bioassay Center of Excellence (CoE), a transformative initiative focused on building high-throughput, GxP-ready bioassay capabilities across the portfolio. Based onsite at our Norwood, MA Technology Center, the Director will lead daily bioassay operations while driving the design, implementation, and scale-up of a fully automated centralized facility. The role demands a strategic systems thinker who can convert complex assay science into scalable operations that power product characterization, release, and stability testing.

This is a deeply cross-functional position, interfacing across Analytical Development, QC, Automation Engineering, Quality, and external partners to ensure robust and compliant execution. It also offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with Moderna’s digital and automation landscape—including exposure to Generative AI-enabled lab systems—helping shape the future of data-rich decision-making in bioprocessing.
** Here’s What You’ll Do
**** Your key responsibilities will be:
*** Build, lead, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary bioassay operations team, including scientists, automation technologists, analysts, and supervisors.
* Oversee execution of critical assay types such as IVRPE, IVRPA, and REDA supporting stability, release, and characterization.
* Define and own key operational metrics (e.g., throughput, TAT, % automation coverage, assay reproducibility, cost per result) and drive continuous improvement.
* Implement and govern GxP-ready infrastructure across SOPs, ELN templates, LIMS integration, barcoding, and sample chain-of-custody workflows.
* Execute workforce planning, recruiting, and training strategies aligned to the scale and complexity of automated operations.
** Your responsibilities will also include:
*** Serve as bioassay and operations lead in the design, build, and launch of the centralized Bioassay CoE, including facility input, equipment selection, FAT/SAT planning, validation, and Go-Live.
* Lead cross-functional integration with Quality, Facilities, Automation Engineering, Analytical Development, IT, Supply Chain, and EHS to ensure scope alignment, risk mitigation, and on-time delivery.
* Develop and implement the operating model that supports flexible deployment of GMP and non-GMP testing within shared lab space.
* Collaborate with automation and digital teams to embed next-generation tools, including opportunities to incorporate Generative AI capabilities for smarter lab operations and enhanced data analytics.
** The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:**
* ** We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.
** This role requires proactive ownership—not only of bioassay execution but also the vision and build-out of an entirely new centralized system. You’ll be empowered to lead across functions and design future-state operations that redefine how Moderna tests, validates, and advances our products.
* ** We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.
** As you drive the integration of ELNs, LIMS, automation systems, and lab data pipelines, you’ll help transform how Moderna operationalizes data. With a focus on automation and the potential to embed Generative AI, you will be building a lab environment that accelerates insights, improves reproducibility, and scales globally.
** Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic…