Vice President Clinical Operations

Fortvita Biologics

Palo Alto, CAFull-timePosted May 7, 2026

Behavioral Health Market Context

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Qualifications

  • Travel up to 30% required
  • Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field (required)
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in Clinical Operations within biotech or pharmaceutical companies
  • 7 years of leadership experience, including building and leading teams
  • Demonstrated success delivering global clinical trials across multiple phases
  • Deep knowledge of global clinical development and regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, ICH/GCP)
  • COMPETENCIES/CORE SKILLS
  • Strong strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability
  • Proven ability to build infrastructure, processes, and high-performing teams
  • Expertise in vendor strategy, governance, and performance management
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving biotech environment
  • Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States
  • In compliance with federal law, all new hires will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. and complete Form I-9 upon hire
  • 11 more items(s)

Responsibilities

  • Fortvita is seeking a strategic and execution-focused Vice President of Clinical Operations to build, lead, and scale a predominantly in-house clinical operations model
  • This leader will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of global clinical trials, minimizing reliance on full-service CROs and instead leveraging a hybrid model of internal capabilities supplemented by functional vendors
  • The VP will establish operational infrastructure, develop internal capabilities, and ensure trials are executed with speed, quality, and cost-efficiency
  • This role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced biotech environment and has successfully implemented or operated within an in-house or CRO-lite clinical model
  • Define and execute the Clinical Operations strategy aligned with a lean, in-house execution model
  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing internal Clinical Operations team
  • Establish scalable infrastructure, processes, and systems to support global clinical development
  • Serve as a key member of the Development leadership team, contributing to overall portfolio strategy
  • Clinical Trial Execution
  • Oversee the end-to-end execution of global clinical trials (Phase I–III) in compliance with ICH/GCP, FDA, EMA, and global regulations
  • Ensure studies are delivered on time, on budget, and with high quality
  • Drive operational excellence across study startup, conduct, and closeout activities
  • In-House Model Implementation
  • Design and operationalize an in-house clinical trial execution framework, reducing dependency on full-service CROs
  • Determine optimal functional outsourcing strategy (e.g., data management, monitoring, biometrics)
  • Build internal capabilities across study management, vendor oversight, site management, and trial execution
  • Implement tools, systems, and KPIs to support internal delivery
  • Vendor & Partner Management
  • Oversee selection and management of functional service providers and specialty vendors
  • Negotiate contracts, scopes of work, and budgets aligned with a non-CRO-led model
  • Ensure vendor performance through clear metrics, governance, and accountability
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Biometrics, CMC, and other functions to ensure seamless study execution
  • Provide operational input into protocols, study design, and development plans
  • Lead risk identification and mitigation planning across programs
  • Establish and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and best practices
  • Drive inspection readiness and ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements
  • Implement risk-based quality management approaches
  • Operational Excellence
  • Develop and track KPIs, metrics, and dashboards for study and team performance
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Clinical Operations
  • Ensure effective communication of study status, risks, and mitigation plans to executive leadership
  • Other duties as assigned
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