Director, Clinical Business Operations

This role is based in Boston, MA with onsite presence required Monday-Wednesday

Your impact:

Behind every successful clinical trial is a strong business foundation. In this role, you'll build and lead that foundation by overseeing budgets, financial planning, vendor partnerships, contracts, and portfolio operations that enable our clinical programs to thrive. You'll partner across the organization to turn strategy into action, develop scalable ways of working, and ensure our teams have the resources, insights, and operational support they need to bring innovative therapies to patients.

Your day-to-day:  

• Lead the business operations function for Clinical Operations, providing strategic oversight of budgets, forecasting, contracts, vendor management, resource planning, and portfolio governance.
• Develop, manage, and monitor Clinical Operations budgets and forecasts, ensuring accurate financial planning, accruals, spend tracking, and reporting across the clinical portfolio.
• Oversee the review, negotiation, execution, and management of vendor contracts, statements of work, change orders, and consulting agreements in partnership with Legal, Procurement, Finance, and Clinical Operations.
• Establish and maintain portfolio-level reporting, operational dashboards, metrics, and governance processes to support decision-making and provide visibility into program performance, resource utilization, and financial health.
• Partner with Clinical Operations leadership to evaluate business risks, operational priorities, and resource needs, driving proactive solutions to support portfolio objectives.
• Lead vendor governance activities, monitor performance and budget adherence, and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across external partnerships.
• Develop and implement scalable business processes, tools, and operating models that enhance operational excellence, consistency, and compliance across Clinical Operations.
• Support annual operating plans, long-range forecasting, and strategic planning initiatives by providing financial and operational insights to senior leadership.
• Ensure operational and financial activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and inspection-readiness expectations.
• Serve as a trusted business partner across Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and Clinical Development, fostering cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.

Must-Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or clinical research organizations with progressive responsibility in Clinical Operations, business operations, finance, or vendor management.
• Demonstrated experience managing clinical budgets, forecasting, accruals, and financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of clinical vendor contracting, statement of work development, and contract negotiations.
• Experience supporting portfolio governance, resource planning, and operational reporting within Clinical Development or Clinical Operations.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with Finance, Legal, Procurement, and Clinical Operations stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across functions and levels.

What makes Rapport special:

• Every role has meaning. We’re determined to discover a better way for patients, and you’ll feel the passion from the start.
• We are driven to innovate. Exciting science that pushes boundaries and opens new possibilities.
• Your perspective matters. Stick your neck out, share your ideas – we work as a team.
• We have FUN. We hire smart, dedicated, down-to-earth people that you’ll enjoy spending time with.
• Leadership that CARES – about you, your growth + development.
• We're bicoastal. Whether you're in the lab full-time in San Diego or taking advantage of a more hybrid work schedule in Boston – we make the most of our time together.
• Competitive benefits. Including unlimited PTO, a lifestyle spending account, commuting reimbursement, and much more!
• You get to be YOU! Show up as you are and make every day count.

Your Compensation:

We get it. Compensation is an important part of your offer. You shouldn’t be surprised at the end of the recruiting process, and you should know that your offer is fair and equitable. How do we do this?  We tell you about our hiring range now - we expect the hiring range for the role to be $230,000 to $255,000. Our actual offer will reflect a lot of factors including your relevant skills, experience, location, salary market data, and internal equity. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer a pretty great benefits package. We don’t stop here - if you join Rapport, we go to the next level. We share our full salary ranges for every level across our company. 

Hybrid Work Environment:

We prioritize in person connection with our fellow Rapptors! Our team members come together onsite at our Boston office Monday-Wednesday to create more opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and connection.