Associate Director, Business Process Management & Operational Excellence

Vaxcyte•San Carlos, CA

1d•$170,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role within Technical Operations’ Capabilities & Business Operations function strengthens how Technical Operations translates strategy into executable work and builds repeatable, scalable ways of working as Vaxcyte advances toward commercialization and future growth. The role partners with Technical Operations leaders and cross-functional teams to shape strategic priorities into well-defined initiatives, strengthen end-to-end business processes and operating practices, and improve execution readiness through continuous improvement. It also leads selected high-priority cross-functional initiatives where coordination, specialized expertise, or added execution capacity can create business value. The position combines business process management, operational excellence, strategy realization, and cross-functional execution. Initiatives are expected to strengthen business outcomes and organizational capability by building better processes, clearer governance, stronger ways of working, and reusable learning. The role is based in San Carlos, California, with a hybrid arrangement requiring at least three days onsite per week; the arrangement may change based on business needs, responsibilities, or company policy. The role reports to the Executive Director, Commercialization Capabilities & Strategic Projects. The compensation package includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component, with a stated SF Bay Area salary range of $170,000–$200,000. Relocation assistance is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, Life Sciences, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
10 or more years of progressive experience in business process management, operational excellence, strategy execution, transformation, business operations, program leadership, or related disciplines.
Demonstrated experience designing and improving end-to-end business processes, including process architecture, process ownership, process mapping or redesign, governance, and performance management.
Demonstrated ability to translate broad strategy into executable plans and lead complex cross-functional initiatives from ambiguity through execution.
Strong understanding of operating models, governance, decision rights, continuous improvement, and organizational change and adoption.
Exceptional facilitation, communication, problem-solving, and executive presentation skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment and move between strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree.
Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, Technical Operations, or another complex regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Partner with leaders to translate Technical Operations strategy and priorities into executable initiatives with roadmaps, milestones, ownership, governance, decision rights, and success measures.
Establish and apply project-shaping and execution-readiness practices so high-priority work is well defined, resourced, governed, and ready to execute.
Support demand intake and prioritization by helping leaders assess business value, readiness, dependencies, risk, resource implications, and sequencing.
Connect strategy, priorities, and execution by identifying gaps, interdependencies, and decisions needed to move work forward.
Design, map, optimize, and sustain end-to-end business processes and cross-functional workflows that improve execution, scalability, and clarity across Technical Operations.
Establish practical process ownership, governance, operating rhythms, roles, decision rights, and performance measures where they create value.
Identify operational friction, duplication, bottlenecks, and handoff gaps, and simplify work across functional boundaries.
Lead continuous-improvement efforts using fit-for-purpose problem-solving and process-improvement methods, including Lean/Six Sigma tools where useful.
Capture lessons learned, codify best practices, and build repeatable processes and playbooks that reduce dependence on individual effort or expertise.
Lead selected high-priority cross-functional initiatives requiring neutral leadership, organizational coordination, specialized expertise, or additional execution capacity.
Facilitate complex cross-functional decisions, working sessions, and problem-solving efforts to build alignment and accelerate action.
Strengthen interfaces between Technical Operations and other functions so interdependent work remains integrated while functional ownership stays clear.
Build trusted relationships with leaders and technical experts, bringing an objective, business-minded perspective to execution challenges and tradeoffs.
Ensure major initiatives build organizational capability alongside near-term outcomes.
Help leaders establish sustainable ways of working that strengthen accountability, decision-making, coordination, and operational performance.
Partner with the Principal, Business Operations & Digital Enablement so business processes, portfolio visibility, data, systems, and digital solutions reinforce one another.