Director/Senior Director, CMC Validation

Sabin Vaccine Institute

Director/Senior Director overseeing the implementation of vaccine validation programs at Sabin Institute. Collaborating across teams to ensure validation compliance and readiness for submissions.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $190,000 - $225,000 per yearWebsite

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Hard Skills

GMP validationProcess Performance Qualification (PPQ)BLA submissionsprocess validationstatistical methodsrisk management toolsFMEAANOVAsampling plansvalidation program development

Soft Skills

technical writinginfluencing skillsnegotiation skillseffective communicationorganizational skillsdetail-orientedrelationship-buildingcollaborationleadershippresentation skills

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeAdobe Acrobatrisk management toolsstatistical analysis softwarevalidation documentation systemsproject management toolsdata analysis toolsGMP compliance softwaredocument management systemscollaboration platforms

Industry Keywords

biologicsvaccinesgene therapycell therapyFDA Process Validation GuidanceICH Q8–Q1021 CFR 210/211EU Annex 15WHO standardsCEPI standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

The Director/Senior Director, CMC Validation reports to the Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing, & Controls (CMC) and is a strategic, hands-on leader responsible for building and implementing a comprehensive validation program for Sabin’s vaccines.
This individual will build Sabin’s validation strategy from the ground up and implement it across the network.
Responsibilities include authoring validation policies, procedures, templates, and related documentation; overseeing validation activities at C(D)MOs; and driving the organization to Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) readiness in alignment with FDA, EMA, WHO, and ICH expectations.
The role is accountable for designing, hiring, and leading a right-sized validation organization.
This position will partner closely across CMC, with Program & Portfolio Management, Quality Assurance, C(D)MOs, and other stakeholders to ensure validation requirements are fulfilled in a smart, risk-based manner, ultimately delivering submission-ready data packages.
The Director/Senior Director, CMC Validation serves as a validation subject matter expert (SME) with demonstrated experience building and implementing validation programs for late-phase assets.
This role will also support future funding initiatives and enable technology transfers to alternate manufacturers.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or a related pharmaceutical science required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
Minimum of 12+ years of experience with GMP validation in biologics, vaccines, or gene/cell therapy, with at least 5 years in a leadership role; Senior Director candidates require 14+ years of experience.
Demonstrated track record of building or significantly expanding validation programs, ideally through PPQ/BLA.
Experience managing CMO/CDMO validation activities for late-stage and commercial products, including oversight of external partners in a remote environment.
Deep knowledge of FDA Process Validation Guidance (2011), ICH Q8–Q10, 21 CFR 210/211, and EU Annex 15 requirements.
Experience authoring or contributing to BLA or MAA submissions, specifically process validation and manufacturing sections.
Familiarity with WHO/CEPI vaccine manufacturing standards.
Experience with FDA pre-approval inspections (PAIs) or EMA GMP inspections as validation SME.
Exceptional technical writing skills; able to author clear, inspection-ready validation documents.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills for managing external CMO partners without direct authority.
Proficiency with risk management tools (ICH Q9, FMEA, criticality assessments) and statistical methods for validation (ANOVA, process capability, sampling plans).
Effective communicator with experience presenting to senior leadership, regulatory agencies, and cross-functional teams.
Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple parallel workstreams across different CMO sites and time zones.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word), and Adobe Acrobat.
Up to 20% travel within the United States and Europe to support validation activities.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, and vision coverage
flexible spending accounts
flexible vacation and sick leave
employer-paid life and disability insurance
11 federal holidays
end-of-year winter break
employer-matching 401(k) plan