Successful commercialization and late-stage development execution require more than strong technical capabilities - they require a scalable operational system that enables clear decision-making, cross-functional alignment, resource prioritization, and disciplined execution. As Denali continues to expand its manufacturing and commercialization capabilities, the Salt Lake City (SLC) site plays an increasingly critical role in delivering reliable, scalable, and inspection-ready operations across development and commercial programs.
The Director, Site Operations & Strategic Execution will serve as a key operational leader within the SLC organization, responsible for driving the site operating model and enabling execution excellence across strategic initiatives, manufacturing readiness activities, governance processes, and cross-functional operational priorities. This role will partner closely with Site Leadership, Technical Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, MSAT, and Program Leadership teams to ensure operational alignment, organizational scalability, and execution effectiveness.
This individual will help establish and sustain the SLC operating system through development of governance processes, performance management frameworks, operational metrics, resource coordination models, and strategic execution capabilities. The role requires a highly collaborative leader who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment while balancing strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution. As Denali continues to scale toward late-stage and commercial operations, this role will have the opportunity to significantly influence how the organization executes, prioritizes, and operates across the SLC site.
Key Accountabilities / Core Responsibilities- Lead and continuously improve the SLC Site Operating Model, including governance, operational processes, decision frameworks, performance management, and cross-functional execution governance.
- Partner with Site Leadership and enterprise teams to align site execution with strategic priorities across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, engineering, and technical operations.
- Establish and manage operational governance forums, business reviews, metrics, dashboards, and reporting processes to enhance visibility, accountability, risk management, and data-driven decision-making.
- Lead strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that strengthen operational readiness, scalability, organizational agility, and long-term commercial growth capabilities.
- Facilitate cross-functional coordination, resource planning and prioritization, and issue resolution while coaching, mentoring, and developing project leadership and operational execution capabilities within the SLC organization.
- Identify operational risks, execution gaps, and organizational inefficiencies and proactively drive mitigation and resolution strategies and drive continuous operational improvement initiatives focused on improving execution effectiveness, organizational agility, and operational maturity.
Qualifications/Skills:- Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related field and 10+ years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, technical operations, supply chain, or operational leadership environments
- Advanced degree preferred
- Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional operational initiatives in a GMP-regulated environment
- Strong understanding of biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations, technical operations, commercialization readiness, and/or late-stage development activities
- Experience developing or managing operational governance models, business processes, performance management systems, and organizational operating cadences
- Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority
- Demonstrated leadership capability in fast-paced, evolving organizations with the ability to manage ambiguity and shifting priorities effectively
- Strong strategic thinking and operational problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate organizational objectives into executable operational plans
- Excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and executive communication skills
- Experience developing operational metrics, dashboards, and business reporting processes preferred
- Strong organizational leadership, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build trust and drive alignment across functions
- Experience supporting manufacturing readiness, PPQ execution, launch readiness, or operational scale-up activities preferred
- Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution and operational detail management
- Working knowledge of GMP regulations and operational requirements applicable to FDA and international regulatory environments
- Ability to travel as required to support cross-site and organizational initiatives
Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers
This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
