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 develops repeatable, scalable ways of working as the organization advances toward commercialization and future growth. The role partners with Technical Operations leaders and cross-functional teams across Vaxcyte 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 additional coordination, specialized expertise, or execution capacity can create business value. The role combines business process management, operational excellence, strategy realization, and cross-functional execution. Initiatives are expected to improve business outcomes while building organizational capability through better processes, clearer governance, stronger ways of working, and reusable learning. The role translates Technical Operations strategy into initiatives with defined roadmaps, milestones, ownership, governance, decision rights, and success measures. It supports demand intake and prioritization, develops execution-readiness practices, and connects strategy with execution by identifying gaps, dependencies, risks, resource implications, and necessary decisions. It designs, maps, optimizes, and sustains end-to-end processes and cross-functional workflows; establishes process ownership, governance, operating rhythms, roles, decision rights, and measures; and leads continuous improvement and problem-solving. It also leads selected cross-functional initiatives, facilitates decisions and working sessions, strengthens interfaces between Technical Operations and other functions, and helps establish sustainable practices that improve accountability, coordination, and performance. The role partners with the Principal, Business Operations & Digital Enablement to ensure business processes, portfolio visibility, data, systems, and digital solutions reinforce one another. The position is located in San Carlos, California, with a hybrid arrangement requiring at least three days onsite per week. The role is not eligible for relocation assistance. The stated salary range is $170,000–$200,000 for the San Francisco Bay Area; ranges for non-California locations may vary. The compensation package includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, Life Sciences, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
At least 10 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/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 work 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

Advanced degree preferred.
Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, Technical Operations, or another complex regulated environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with leaders to translate Technical Operations strategy and priorities into executable initiatives with clear roadmaps, milestones, ownership, governance, decision rights, and measures of success.
Establish and apply project-shaping and execution-readiness practices so high-priority work is well defined, resourced, governed, and ready before execution begins.
Support demand intake and prioritization by assessing business value, readiness, dependencies, risk, resource implications, and sequencing.
Identify gaps, interdependencies, and decisions needed to connect strategy, priorities, and execution.
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, applying Lean/Six Sigma tools where useful.
Capture lessons learned, codify best practices, and develop 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 processes, portfolio visibility, data, systems, and digital solutions reinforce one another.