Head of Research Operations

Mosaic Biosciences•Boulder, CO

2d•$170,000 - $215,000•Onsite

About The Position

Mosaic is seeking an experienced scientific and operational leader to lead its multidisciplinary Research organization. The Head of Research Operations provides operational oversight to support scientific excellence, effective execution, and timely delivery of high-quality, partner-aligned outcomes in a dynamic CRO environment. The role leads and supports functional leaders across Research, aligning teams, resources, and priorities with partner goals and objectives. Success requires a proactive, customer-first mindset, strong scientific judgment, urgency, and an appreciation for the pace and operational demands of a CRO setting. The role oversees research capabilities and multidisciplinary discovery projects, translates partner goals into operational plans, and advances continuous improvement and innovation. It also develops and leads the Research team, collaborates with executive and Commercial leadership on research strategy and client needs, and represents Mosaic at conferences, business meetings, and industry forums. The position is on-site at 5710 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301, in the Research & Development department. The stated level is Sr. Director, and compensation is $170,000–$215,000.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent in a relevant life sciences field, such as Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular Biology, or Cell Biology.
10+ years of experience in biologics discovery, including at least 5 years in operational or scientific leadership roles.
Proven track record managing multifunctional teams in a fast-paced biotech, pharmaceutical, or CRO environment; direct experience supporting external client programs is preferred in the posting as an ideal background.
Ability to respond with urgency and clarity to changing partner priorities, scope changes, or new technical challenges.
Deep understanding of discovery workflows, particularly protein and antibody engineering.
Strong communication skills and experience leading technical teams and external-facing relationships.
Ability to thrive in a CRO or service-oriented environment while balancing scientific excellence with time- and cost-sensitive deliverables.
Strong appreciation for client service dynamics, including proactive communication, expectation management, and responsiveness to changing program needs.

Responsibilities

Provide operational oversight to keep research capabilities cutting-edge, efficient, and aligned with current and future partner needs.
Translate partner goals and program needs into actionable operational plans with defined deliverables, timelines, and resource allocation.
Oversee execution and troubleshooting of multidisciplinary discovery projects while maintaining scientific rigor, efficiency, and cross-team alignment.
Promote continuous improvement and innovation by implementing best practices, integrating technologies such as automation, high-throughput systems, and data analytics, and staying current with biologics discovery trends.
Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term research strategies and assess emerging industry trends for internal investment and potential acquisitions.
Empower functional leaders to drive accountability, scale execution, and deliver consistently across the Research organization.
Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists to achieve high performance and deliver results to partners.
Build a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages problem-solving, alternative viewpoints, and knowledge sharing across disciplines.
Set goals, expectations, and performance metrics; provide ongoing feedback and coaching to support professional growth and team success.
Foster accountability, responsiveness, and excellence in partner service.
Ensure teams remain scientifically current and technically innovative in support of customer goals and differentiated service offerings.
Collaborate with Commercial leadership on strategic client discussions and proposals, ensuring technical commitments align with partner needs, Mosaic capabilities, and business priorities.
Communicate project status, scientific progress, and strategic initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
Work with the Commercial team to understand client needs and align technical teams with business priorities and scientific expectations.
Represent Mosaic at conferences, business meetings, and industry forums to enhance its visibility and reputation.