Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations

About the role

The Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations will lead clinical operations strategy and execution across Recursion's full clinical portfolio, from IND/CTA planning and first-in-human studies through proof-of-concept, pivotal trials, study closeout, and submission support. This is a portfolio-wide leadership role for an experienced clinical operations leader who can build scalable operating models, lead high-performing teams, manage global trials, and ensure operational excellence across early and late-stage clinical programs.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end operational delivery, including study planning, feasibility, country and site strategy, start-up, enrollment, monitoring, vendor oversight, budget management, database lock readiness, and closeout
• Build, scale, and mentor a high-performing Clinical Operations organization, including clinical project management, clinical trial management, outsourcing/vendor oversight, and portfolio operations capabilities
• Establish portfolio-level governance, operating rhythms, KPIs, dashboards, risk management, resource planning, and escalation pathways to support timely, high-quality trial execution
• Lead CRO and vendor strategy relationships, including outsourcing model, selection, contracting partnership, performance management, issue escalation, budget forecasting, and accountability for delivery
• Ensure inspection-ready execution across all studies through strong GCP compliance, SOP adherence, TMF oversight, risk-based quality management, audit readiness, CAPA management, and proactive issue resolution

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, healthcare, or related field required; advanced degree preferred
15+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical clinical operations experience, including significant leadership experience overseeing multiple clinical programs and global clinical trials
Proven track record leading clinical operations from early development through pivotal studies, registration-enabling trials, study closeout, and submission support
Deep experience with clinical trial planning and execution, including feasibility, start-up, enrollment, monitoring, vendor/CRO oversight, budget management, risk management, database lock, and closeout
Strong working knowledge of FDA, EMA, MHRA, ICH/GCP, global clinical trial regulations, quality systems, inspection readiness, and risk-based quality management
Experience building and leading teams, including leaders of clinical operations, clinical project managers, clinical trial managers, consultants, CRO partners, and functional vendors
Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate clearly, influence senior stakeholders, resolve complex operational issues, and drive decisions in a fast-moving environment
Experience in oncology, rare disease, and/or specialty clinical development preferred; experience with clinical trial technologies, CTMS/eTMF/EDC/IRT/eCOA, operational dashboards, automation, or AI-enabled workflows is a plus