Associate Director, Commercial Operations

Elevate Bio is a technology-driven company powering the industry forward by helping partners realize the potential of their therapies from design to commercialization. We have integrated a differentiated set of technologies, end-to-end services, and industry-leading manufacturing expertise to develop advanced therapies faster and more efficiently.

Elevate Bio is seeking an Associate Director of Commercial Operations who will be instrumental in managing long-term partnerships and aiding Elevate Bio’s strategic goals and objectives. This role, specifically focused on CMC partnerships in Cell and Advanced Therapies, involves process development, clinical and commercial manufacturing knowledge, and requires a high level of engagement and collaboration. The Associate Director will ensure the seamless integration of manufacturing operations and business teams.

Responsibilities also include driving deal closures for existing partner statements of work and change orders, providing guidance on CMC scope, pricing, and negotiations. The Associate Director will collaborate with internal Manufacturing Services teams, including leadership teams, as well as external partners. This role will be an individual contributor with potential to lead a team as the Commercial Organization grows.

• Own the end-to-end deal closure process for new SOWs and change orders across select partners, ensuring alignment with Manufacturing Services’ commercial objectives and growth strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance on CMC scope, pricing, and negotiation strategies; serve as a decision-maker in key contract negotiations.
• Route contracts for approval per established policies, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
• Represent the Commercial team in partner Joint Leadership Team (JLT) meetings as a primary relationship owner and voice of Elevate Bio's strategic interests.
• Lead preparation, facilitation, and follow-up of Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meetings — setting agendas, driving accountability, and ensuring executive alignment on partnership milestones.
• Hold regular alliance management meetings with select partners.
• Direct operational execution of contracts with existing and new partners, aligning cross-functional teams on deliverables, timelines, and risk mitigation.
• Support strategic and budgetary planning for manufacturing operations, partnering with leadership on resource allocation and long-range financial planning.
• Serve as a senior cross-functional integrator and key member of the S&OP team, ensuring enterprise-wide visibility into partner commitments and capacity constraints.
• Review SOWs, change orders, and approval memos for commercial accuracy, strategic consistency, and policy compliance.
• Drive accountability for KPIs across alliance management; identify trends and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead executive-level internal and external discussions on contract alignment, partnership development, and resolution of complex cross-organizational challenges.
• Champion optimization of partnership workflows through cross-functional collaboration, identifying scalable improvements across the partner portfolio.
• Oversee financial partner accounts with internal and external finance teams, ensuring accurate invoicing, budgeting, and revenue recognition.
• Mentor junior alliance management team members, fostering a culture of operational excellence and strategic thinking.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or related field.
• 9+ years previous experience in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, CMO, CDMO or related industries.
• Experience in cell and gene therapy CMC. Specifically, CMC operations, process development, regulatory, manufacturing and supply chain.
• Contract negotiation…