Senior Director, Clinical Strategy and Operational Excellence

AAVantgarde is a fast-growing clinical-stage biotech company innovating cutting edge research and development to advance gene therapies for rare diseases. As we expand, we are looking for a Senior Director, Clinical Strategy and Operational Excellence to join our team and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the CMO’s office. This is a broad role with flexible scope and potential to shape the position overtime. The initial focus of the candidate will be to act as a trusted advisor and a strategic project manager/leader responsible for coordinating cross functional initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams, manage team finances and budget and be a key liaison between the CMO and her team as well as key internal and external stakeholders. This role requires a dynamic individual with exceptional organizational, analytical, and leadership skills. The Role This role will report to the Chief Medical Officer. This individual will serve as a business partner across the Clinical and Medical departments to understand clinical and operational needs based on business and project requirements. You will collaborate with colleagues to support the design, implementation, execution, management and improvement of processes flexing and adapting to diverse working styles. You will be confident to deal with unexpected challenges and business needs outside your core experience. While you may not always have the immediate answer, you will know the appropriate questions to ask and work with teams to identify solutions and paths forward. Responsibilities Strategic Support & Advisory • Partner with the CMO team to define, prioritize, and drive key initiatives aligned with the company’s clinical and business objectives. • Provide insights, analysis, and recommendations to support decision-making and organizational alignment. Operational Leadership • Manage the day-to-day operations of the CMO’s office, ensuring seamless execution of activities. • Drive project management efforts, tracking milestones, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for clinical and medical affairs initiatives. • Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment on timelines, goals, and resource allocation. • Represent the CMO in key internal meetings, synthesizing and relaying critical information. Finance & Budget Oversight • Collaborate with the Finance team to oversee budgets for clinical operations, medical affairs, and associated clinical development functions. • Monitor budget performance, identify variances, and develop action plans to ensure financial alignment with organizational goals. • Support the CMO in evaluating resource needs and making data-driven recommendations for budget allocation. • Develop and track financial forecasts, ensuring alignment with cross-functional project plans and priorities. • Partner with department headsto optimize spending efficiency while maintaining high standards of operational excellence. Communications & Stakeholder Engagement • Serve as the primary liaison between the CMO and internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders, ensuring clear and consistent communication. • Draft executive presentations, reports, and correspondence for internal and external audiences, Italian language translations (if needed), including the Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, and key partners. • Develop and execute communication strategies to articulate the CMO’s vision and priorities effectively. Leadership Team Coordination • Partner with CMO Leadership Team to ensure alignment across leadership initiatives. • Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and innovation across the clinical development team. Special Projects • Lead or support high-priority special projects and initiatives as assigne