Associate Director, MSAT

Location: This position is currently remote. A future transition to an on-site location on the U.S. East-Coast/Mid-West is anticipated as the project progresses, with an expected timeline in 2027. This is a full-time role with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $174,600 to $203,700. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.

• 401(k) matching plan.

• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Employee assistance programs.

• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What will you do:

The Associate Director, MSAT Lead – US Growth Investment Projects is responsible for developing and executing the process readiness strategy for an assigned U.S. growth investment project supporting bioconjugate drug substance manufacturing. This role serves as the primary process owner throughout facility design, construction, commissioning, qualification, validation, start-up, and operational handover, ensuring the facility is GMP-compliant, operationally ready, and capable of supporting reliable clinical and commercial manufacturing.

The Associate Director will lead the operations workstream in close partnership with the End-to-End Program Lead, Global Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Automation, EHS, HR, and Finance to ensure operational requirements are fully embedded into project scope, facility design, staffing, training, technology transfer, and start-up planning.

• Serve as the MSAT process owner for an assigned U.S. growth investment project, ensuring successful process implementation and operational readiness

• Develop and execute the process robustness and readiness roadmap, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle

• Lead process-related commissioning, qualification, validation readiness, start-up activities, and operational handover to the receiving manufacturing organization

• Provide end-to-end lifecycle management for manufacturing processes, including process introduction, technology transfer, validation, process performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and regulatory support activities

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Automation, and EHS teams to ensure process requirements, user needs, automation strategies, equipment design, and GMP expectations are incorporated into project execution

• Ensure manufacturing operations are aligned with GMP requirements, quality systems, safety standards, and corporate expectations to support successful inspections and long-term operational excellence

• Lead technology transfer activities and product introduction planning in partnership with customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring readiness for clinical and commercial manufacturing

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, technical, and project-related risks associated with personnel, training, equipment, process robustness, and facility readiness

• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing operations and MSAT team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

• Provide strategic updates, readiness assessments, and risk escalations to senior leadership and project governance teams

What we are looking for:

• Master’s degree in engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Life Sciences, or a related discipline preferred; Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience will also be considered

• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing, including leadership experience within MSAT, Technical Operations, Process Engineering, or Manufacturing Operations

• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading bioconjugate drug substance manufacturing processes, including process scale-up, technology transfer, process validation, and commercial manufacturing support

• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing operations, regulatory requirements, technology transfer, commissioning, qualification, validation, and operational readiness activities

• Experience supporting major capital investment projects, facility start-ups, manufacturing expansions, or large-scale operational growth initiatives

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Automation, Supply Chain, EHS, HR, Finance, and Project Management functions

• Experience developing and executing technology transfer strategies to support successful process implementation and commercial manufacturing readiness

• Strong understanding of process performance monitoring, lifecycle management, continuous improvement, and operational excellence principles within a regulated manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical, operational, compliance, and project execution risks

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage senior leadership, governance committees, customers, and external partners

• Experience building organizational capability, developing technical talent, and preparing teams for successful operational handover and long-term manufacturing success

• Knowledge of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, automation systems, digital manufacturing technologies, and data integrity requirements preferred

• Ability and willingness to transition to an East Coast or Midwest U.S. site location as project needs evolve

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to EMEA and NA at approximately 25-30% of the time to meet business objectives

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.