Assistant Director, Vendor Relationship Lead

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, VENDOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director, Vendor Relationship Management is an individual contributor role responsible for the strategic oversight and management of complex vendor relationships supporting Ionis Development. The role applies advanced, wide-ranging professional knowledge and sound judgment to develop and resolve complex vendor governance models, procedures, and performance issues. This position serves as a senior relationship leader and primary point of escalation, directs cross-functional governance, interprets business and regulatory requirements, and develops practical solutions that advance vendor performance, compliance, continuity, and value.

Networks with key contacts across Development, Procurement, Quality, Clinical Operations, and other functions to identify and qualify vendor candidates and shape sourcing and oversight strategies aligned with company objectives.

WORK LOCATION: Remote

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the senior primary contact for assigned external vendors/partners and internal stakeholder organizations; establishes effective escalation pathways, advises stakeholders on complex matters, and uses influence and persuasion to drive decisions aligned with broader organizational objectives.
• Provides strategic oversight and management for a portfolio of complex vendors/partners within assigned outsourcing categories, such as CROs, functional service providers, and other strategic partners.
• Applies and continuously improves a risk-based vendor tiering and governance model, adapting evaluation criteria and oversight methods to the complexity, criticality, and risk profile of each relationship.
• Directs the planning, facilitation, and follow-up of vendor governance meetings and other executive or cross-functional forums; ensures decisions, actions, deliverables, and escalations are clearly documented and managed to completion.
• Leads complex process improvement and strategic sourcing initiatives, develops scalable best practices, and improves transparency of agreement status, performance, risk, and obligations across multiple functional areas.
• Directs cross-functional resolution and mitigation of vendor performance issues; facilitates root-cause analysis, lessons learned, and sustainable corrective actions as part of continuous improvement.
• Interprets complex internal and external business challenges and develops creative, effective process and governance solutions that address variable factors across the vendor portfolio.
• Establishes, monitors, and manages key performance indicators, key quality indicators, service levels, and other performance measures to evaluate vendor effectiveness and inform business decisions.
• Ensures compliance with applicable vendor selection, qualification, oversight, quality, and risk-management policies and procedures; identifies gaps and recommends policy or procedural improvements.
• Partners with Research & Development Procurement and functional leaders to identify, evaluate, and qualify vendor/partner candidates capable of delivering required services and resources.
• Leads or significantly contributes to the Sourcing Management Process, applying independent judgment to determine appropriate methods, evaluation criteria, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Translates complex business and technical needs into RFP specifications, KPIs, quality requirements, service level agreements, governance expectations, and associated consequences or remedies.
• Develops and facilitates the collection, interpretation, and analysis of relevant performance and quality metrics; synthesizes findings into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Ensures issues, risks, decisions, and deliverables are identified, prioritized, and managed through resolution in a timely manner; exercises judgment in determining when additional leadership or functional expertise is required.
• Interprets internal stakeholder needs and guides vendors/partners in developing new capabilities and services that meet evolving business, scientific, operational, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversees and ensures Ionis Development compliance with vendor oversight-related procedures, processes, and documentation requirements.
• Develops and recommends new procedures, business practices, and documentation standards to address complex operational and regulatory requirements and to strengthen the vendor oversight framework.
• Integrates business priorities, functional requirements, processes, systems, and risk information from Development leaders to develop a holistic, risk-based vendor oversight strategy.
• Builds trusted relationships with Functional Area Heads, designees, and vendors/partners to establish mutual accountability for expectations, deliverables, performance, and issue resolution.
• Performs and interprets risk assessments of current and future contracted services and uses the results to inform oversight strategy, governance intensity, and mitigation planning.
• Maintains complete and inspection-ready vendor governance records and provides authoritative input to the Clinical Assignment Tracker regarding vendor and service assignments for each study.
• Conducts all activities in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ICH, PhRMA, CFR, GxP, and Ionis policies and procedures, and demonstrates behaviors aligned with Ionis Culture, Core Principles, and Working with Each Other policy.

COMPETENCIES IDENTIFIED FOR SUCCESS:

• Advanced, wide-ranging experience in complex, global Phase I-IV development programs, vendor relationship management, clinical operations, procurement, or category management.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations and data, evaluate variable factors, and develop creative, effective solutions to high-impact problems.
• Strong executive presence, communication, negotiation, influencing, and facilitation skills, with the ability to adapt style and persuade audiences across the organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the interrelationships among Development, Clinical Operations, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and other disciplines that influence vendor strategy and performance.
• Ability to determine methods and procedures for new assignments, exercise independent judgment in selecting and adapting complex techniques, and establish evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Strong understanding of the drug development process, vendor operating models, and the application of risk-based governance across complex service environments.
• Ability to advise others on complex matters, coach stakeholders through ambiguity, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and documentation skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities and tight timelines.
• Ability to work independently, deliver against departmental objectives, and maintain accountability for tactical business outcomes.
• Demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and sound judgment while maintaining quality, compliance, and professionalism.
• Experience developing, writing, reviewing, and implementing SOPs, governance models, tools, or other processes that support Development activities.
• Working knowledge of FDA GxP, GCP, GLP, pharmacovigilance, ICH, and related regulatory requirements and their practical implementation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare, scientific, business, procurement, supply chain, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; 6 years with a master’s degree
• Progressively responsible experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clinical development, procurement, vendor management, or a related regulated environment.
• Strong partner, supplier, and stakeholder management experience across complex, cross-functional relationships.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop or improve policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and operating practices.
• Ability to operate independently on complex assignments, make sound decisions, and deliver high-quality results with limited direction.
• Good understanding of FDA GxP and ICH regulatory requirements.
• Ability to travel as needed to support vendor, governance, and business objectives.

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition #IONIS004170

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for this position is $136,697 to $159,776

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.