Executive Director, Strategic Operations

About the company

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing medicines that silence disease-causing genes. Its platform uses RNA chemistry and delivery technology to trigger RNA interference, a natural cellular process that reduces the expression of targeted genes and the proteins they produce. The company is working on therapies for genetic diseases across multiple therapeutic areas, including programs in the liver and lung, and is expanding the reach of RNAi beyond the liver.

The organization’s headquarters are in Pasadena, California, with research and development teams in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, plus a manufacturing facility in Verona, Wisconsin. Its teams are described as agile, science-focused innovators working together to deliver new treatments to patients.

Role overview

The Executive Director, Strategic Operations will help guide strategic planning and operational execution for Global Operations and Product Delivery. The role is responsible for improving portfolio alignment, strengthening governance, establishing effective operating rhythms, and supporting cross-functional coordination so the organization can move with greater speed and flexibility.

This position is based in Pasadena, California and requires onsite presence five days per week. It is posted at the Executive Director level, though a Senior Director level appointment may be considered depending on the selected candidate’s background and qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Shape and prioritize the technical portfolio backlog to keep work aligned with strategy and to support efficient use of resources.
• Maintain readiness across product and work package teams so they can respond quickly to changes in the external environment.
• Build and run the functional operating cadence to improve efficiency and execution.
• Lead operational review meetings and track progress against strategic plans.
• Drive long-range planning for lifecycle management across Global Operations and Product Delivery, with the aim of maximizing asset value over time.
• Set direction for global trade policy and strategy, including proactive engagement with regulators.
• Work with leaders across Supply Chain, Commercial, Legal, Finance, Tax, Regulatory, and Quality to align trade compliance with business growth.
• Promote alignment and integration across teams through strong collaboration and shared goals.
• Develop manufacturing strategies and operational plans that account for capacity constraints and network limitations.
• Recommend strategies that support business cases and investment decisions.
• Participate in governance for the technical portfolio, including partnerships and licensees that require Arrowhead CMC or supply services.
• Help ensure portfolio decisions are made transparently and with appropriate business, technical, and financial context.
• Support strategic evaluations and initiatives related to portfolio assessments, competitive positioning, technology gaps, and emerging unmet needs.
• Lead or support transformation and change management efforts, especially where advanced technologies are being introduced.
• Own the budget and create metrics that measure the impact of strategic initiatives.
• Support supplier and partnership management so agreements and performance remain aligned with company objectives.
• Advance talent-focused initiatives, including diversity, inclusion, belonging, development, internships, and workforce-building programs.
• Partner with corporate affairs to support clear, consistent internal communication.

Requirements

• A doctorate plus 6 years of experience in strategic planning and operations, or a master’s degree plus 10 years, or a bachelor’s degree plus 12 years in the same area.
• At least 6 years of managerial experience, including direct people management or leadership of teams, projects, programs, or resource allocation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and vendor management capabilities.
• Comfort working in a matrixed, team-oriented environment with strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Preferred qualifications

• 12 or more years of strategic planning and operations experience, ideally in biotechnology or healthcare and within Lean or Agile environments.
• Experience managing healthcare technology portfolios and leading cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of change management and a record of leading cultural transformation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and build meaningful business metrics.
• Experience with supplier contract management and negotiation.
• Strong commitment to talent development, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Executive-level communication skills and the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels.
• MBA or a master’s degree in business administration, management, or a related discipline.

Compensation and work authorization

The California pay range for this role is USD 260,000 to USD 290,000 per year. Arrowhead states that it offers competitive pay and a strong benefits package. Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where the role is located.

Additional information

The company’s California Applicant Privacy Policy is referenced in the source material.