Director CfOR Operations
Director CfOR Operations
US - California - Thousand Oaks Apply NowJoin Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.
Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.
Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.
Director CfOR Operations
What you will do
Increasing demand for real-world evidence (RWE) from regulatory and reimbursement authorities has made observational research a critical driver of drug development, access, and lifecycle strategy. Amgen’s Center for Observational Research (CfOR) is a global, industry-leading organization that generates high-impact RWE to inform key decisions across the product lifecycle. CfOR partners across R&D, Medical, and commercial functions to shape evidence strategies, optimize clinical development, and evaluate the value, safety, and effectiveness of Amgen therapies.
Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will lead the operational engine that enables the efficient, scalable, and compliant delivery of observational research across CfOR. You will be accountable for how work gets done across the organization, driving the systems, processes, and cross-functional coordination required to improve throughput, reduce cycle times, and support high-quality evidence generation at scale.
You will lead a high-performing, multi-functional team of 16 and partner closely with CfOR Product Leads and the Data & Analytic Center (DAC) leadership to ensure operational excellence across a complex, global portfolio.
Key responsibilities
Operational Excellence & Scale
- Own and evolve core operational processes supporting observational research, including contracting, study start-up and close-out, supplier governance and compliance workflows
- Drive measurable improvements in cycle time, predictability, and throughput across the portfolio
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions, including process standardization, automation, and tool adoption
- Establish structured project management approaches across workflows to improve planning, execution, and visibility
Financial & Resource Strategy
- Own core operational processes, including headcount planning, financial forecasting, budget oversight, and resource optimization
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and quarterly Latest Estimates in partnership with Finance
- Oversee external workforce strategy, supplier mix, and resource capacity planning to align with portfolio demand
- Ensure disciplined financial management and accountability to budget targets
Cross-Functional Integration
- Serve as the primary operational interface across R&D, Medical, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Quality, and Compliance
- Drive alignment and resolve cross-functional dependencies to enable efficient execution
- Strengthen coordination between business and support functions to improve service delivery and reduce friction
Team Leadership & Performance
- Lead, develop, and scale a multi-functional team, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability, and delivery
- Proactively identify and address performance gaps, ensuring consistent execution and high-quality outputs
- Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and urgency balanced with thoughtful planning
Strategic Operations & Change Leadership
- Partner with the Head of CfOR Operations and senior leadership to evolve the operating model in response to growing demand and complexity
- Lead cross-functional initiatives to build new capabilities through technology, automation, and process innovation
- Act as a strategic thought partner, bringing forward insights, challenging assumptions, and shaping operational strategy
Governance & Compliance
- Oversee development and implementation of policies, SOPs, and controlled documents
- Ensure adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements across all operational activities
What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The qualified professional we seek is a leader with these qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree and 4 years of experience in operations or clinical studies or
- Master’s degree and 8 years of experience or
- Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- 12+ years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or management consulting, with increasing scope and responsibility
- Demonstrated track record of building, scaling, or transforming operational functions in complex, matrixed environments
- Proven ability to drive measurable operational improvements (e.g., reduced cycle times, increased throughput, improved cost efficiency)
- Strong leadership experience with a focus on talent development, performance management, and team accountability
- Deep understanding of observational research and the drug development lifecycle across Research, Development, Regulatory, and Medical
- Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure ambiguous challenges and implement practical, scalable solutions
- Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without authority
- Experience implementing digital tools, automation and analytics to improve operational performance, with the ability to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including AI
- High degree of ownership, learning agility, and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.
The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:
- A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
- A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
- Stock-based long-term incentives
- Award-winning time-off plans
- Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.
Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.
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Application deadline
Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.
As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.
Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.