Director CfOR Operations

Amgen • Thousand Oaks, CA

2d

About The Position

Increasing demand for real-world evidence (RWE) from regulatory and reimbursement authorities has made observational research a critical driver of drug development, access, and lifecycle strategy. Amgen’s Center for Observational Research (CfOR) is a global, industry-leading organization that generates high-impact RWE to inform key decisions across the product lifecycle. CfOR partners across R&D, Medical, and commercial functions to shape evidence strategies, optimize clinical development, and evaluate the value, safety, and effectiveness of Amgen therapies. In this vital role you will lead the operational engine that enables the efficient, scalable, and compliant delivery of observational research across CfOR. You will be accountable for how work gets done across the organization, driving the systems, processes, and cross-functional coordination required to improve throughput, reduce cycle times, and support high-quality evidence generation at scale. You will lead a high-performing, multi-functional team of 16 and partner closely with CfOR Product Leads and the Data & Analytic Center (DAC) leadership to ensure operational excellence across a complex, global portfolio.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree and 4 years of experience in operations or clinical studies or Master’s degree and 8 years of experience or Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience
• 12+ years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or management consulting, with increasing scope and responsibility
• Demonstrated track record of building, scaling, or transforming operational functions in complex, matrixed environments
• Proven ability to drive measurable operational improvements (e.g., reduced cycle times, increased throughput, improved cost efficiency)
• Strong leadership experience with a focus on talent development, performance management, and team accountability
• Deep understanding of observational research and the drug development lifecycle across Research, Development, Regulatory, and Medical
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure ambiguous challenges and implement practical, scalable solutions
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without authority
• Experience implementing digital tools, automation and analytics to improve operational performance, with the ability to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including AI
• High degree of ownership, learning agility, and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve core operational processes supporting observational research, including contracting, study start-up and close-out, supplier governance and compliance workflows
• Drive measurable improvements in cycle time, predictability, and throughput across the portfolio
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions, including process standardization, automation, and tool adoption
• Establish structured project management approaches across workflows to improve planning, execution, and visibility
• Own core operational processes, including headcount planning, financial forecasting, budget oversight, and resource optimization
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and quarterly Latest Estimates in partnership with Finance
• Oversee external workforce strategy, supplier mix, and resource capacity planning to align with portfolio demand
• Ensure disciplined financial management and accountability to budget targets
• Serve as the primary operational interface across R&D, Medical, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Quality, and Compliance
• Drive alignment and resolve cross-functional dependencies to enable efficient execution
• Strengthen coordination between business and support functions to improve service delivery and reduce friction
• Lead, develop, and scale a multi-functional team, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability, and delivery
• Proactively identify and address performance gaps, ensuring consistent execution and high-quality outputs
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and urgency balanced with thoughtful planning
• Partner with the Head of CfOR Operations and senior leadership to evolve the operating model in response to growing demand and complexity
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to build new capabilities through technology, automation, and process innovation
• Act as a strategic thought partner, bringing forward insights, challenging assumptions, and shaping operational strategy
• Oversee development and implementation of policies, SOPs, and controlled documents
• Ensure adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements across all operational activities

Benefits

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Award-winning time-off plans
• Flexible work models where possible

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree