Director, OptymEdge Enterprise Operations

Director, OptymEdge Enterprise Operations

US Remote

Emmes Group: Building a better future for us all.

Emmes Group is transforming the future of clinical research, bringing the promise of new medical discovery closer within reach for patients. Emmes Group was founded as Emmes more than 47 years ago, becoming one of the primary clinical research providers to the US government before expanding into public-private partnerships and commercial biopharma. Emmes has built industry leading capabilities in cell and gene therapy, vaccines and infectious diseases, ophthalmology, rare diseases, and neuroscience.

We believe the work we do will have a direct impact on patients' lives and act accordingly. We strive to build a collaborative culture at the intersection of being a performance and people driven company. We're looking for talented professionals eager to help advance clinical research as we work to embed innovation into the fabric of our company. If you share our motivations and passion in research, come join us!

Primary Purpose

The Director of Enterprise Operations is a senior cross-functional leader responsible for translating strategic priorities into operational execution across the business. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role ensures enterprise alignment, drives key initiatives forward, and embeds operational excellence across teams. The role carries formal ownership of people development and operational quality, reinforcing a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement. Prior experience in the clinical trials industry is essential, with a preference for those familiar with ophthalmology and the CRO/biopharma environment.

Strategic Execution & Operational Leadership

• Lead enterprise-level initiatives from planning through to execution, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet strategic goals.
• Facilitate annual and quarterly planning cycles; track progress against key business objectives, risks, and outcomes.
• Establish and maintain the organization's business rhythm (e.g., leadership meetings, review cycles, enterprise dashboards).

People Development

• Own the company-wide framework for people development, in collaboration with functional leaders and HR.
• Design and implement consistent practices for capability building, performance conversations, career pathways, and succession planning.
• Champion leadership development and create structures to identify and grow internal talent pipelines.

Quality and Operational Excellence

• Serve as the functional owner for internal quality initiatives outside of regulated domains (e.g., process efficiency, delivery consistency).
• Partner with function leads to define and embed operational standards, monitor adherence, and implement corrective actions where needed.
• Lead internal audits, retrospectives, and continuous improvement initiatives across operational functions.

Executive Coordination & Communication

• Act as a connective tissue across the executive team, ensuring decisions, actions, and strategies are aligned and well-communicated.
• Own the preparation of leadership content, including board materials, internal updates, and cross-functional communications.
• Represent the Managing Director in strategic forums or enterprise-wide discussions as appropriate.
• Organizational Enablement
• Oversee or steward internal infrastructure not embedded within specific departments (e.g., knowledge systems, internal tools, strategic programs).
• Drive cross-cutting efforts that require alignment between commercial, delivery, and enabling functions.
• Lead change management, employee engagement, and communication during periods of growth or transformation.

Required Attributes

Vision and Strategy

• Sets objectives and key results for defined group or function in alignment with corporate strategy.
• Communicates and implements strategy at the operational level in defined group or function.

Team Building

• Leads and builds effective teams across broad groups or functions within the organization.
• Fosters collaborative relationships across broad groups or functions to ensure an integrated approach to providing services.
• Sets and holds Direct Reports accountable for achieving their objectives.
• Mentors the next generation of leaders.
• Leads change consistent with company objectives.

Problem Solving

• Demonstrated strong problem solving and analytical skills, combined with business judgment.

Oversight

• Oversight of a broad group or function of the organization with responsibilities for successful operations and to deliver service or expertise internally or externally.

Metrics

• Collects, analyzes and provides metrics to ensure delivery of services that exceed customer expectations across defined groups or functions within the organization.

Culture

• Setting the cultural tone for broad groups or functions in alignment with Emmes values and providing inspirational leadership through example rather than decree.
• Exemplifies Emmes values in all actions and behavior.

Credibility and Integrity

• Developing executive presence and the ability to establish credibility with employees and business partners, the ability to build consensus and achieve goals through influence versus direct line authority.
• Impeccable integrity as a leader and quickly seen as a role-model for leadership.

Continuous Improvement/Change Management

• Promptly takes the required corrective action when necessary.
• Continually assesses the operational effectiveness of structures in place to deliver service, reevaluate approaches, and introduce innovations to change paradigms that are ineffective or outdated.
• Brings new ideas and innovative solutions where practical to drive efficiency, enhanced quality and differentiating value to the client.
• Passion for improving human health.

Communication

• Continuously communicates up, down and across the company to share progress and solutions and future vision.
• Listening skills that embrace cognitive diversity.
• Ability to communicate with highly scientific client-management teams.
• Stays informed and communicates to others in a supportive manner regarding corporate activities.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, project leadership, or cross-functional execution roles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Excellent problem solving and collaboration skills.
• Leads by example in promoting company values and inclusive culture.
• Direct experience in clinical trials or clinical research is required.
• Industry experience in ophthalmology, CROs, or biopharma strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate across global teams and international operations, including remote leadership across regions (e.g., US, UK, India).
• Proven ability to lead through both formal authority and influence in complex, matrixed environments.
• Background in people development frameworks and operational quality systems.

Why work at Emmes?

At Emmes, your actions and hard work will have a direct impact on public health initiatives, both globally and in our local communities with opportunities for volunteerism through our Emmes Cares community engagement program. We offer a competitive benefits package focused on the health and needs of our growing workforce, including:

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The Emmes Company, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status.

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