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Executive Director Technical Operations
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Rensselaer, NY)
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The Executive Director Technical Operations is accountable for end‑to‑end operational leadership –from strategic planning and site selection through design, construction, commissioning, operational readiness, and ramp‑up to steady‑state operations at our Saratoga, NY location. This role sets the vision, establishes governance, and directs cross‑functional teams and external partners to deliver a world‑class facility that meets business growth objectives, ensuring local and global harmonization and collaboration. The Executive Director will translate enterprise strategy into executable roadmaps, ensure disciplined capital stewardship, and build high‑performing teams and processes that enable reliable, scalable operations from Day 1.
In this role, a typical day might include:
Strategic Site Development
+ Leading site strategy and master planning, including location analysis, property acquisition/lease negotiations, and long‑range capacity planning for production, labs, offices, warehousing, utilities, and support services.
+ Defining the operational vision (people, process, technology) and the phased roadmap from groundbreaking to commercial operations.
Capital Planning & Governance
+ Collaborating with Senior Leadership on multi‑year capital planning and portfolio governance for large programs (e.g., $100M+), ensuring rigorous business cases, stage‑gate approvals, cost controls, and risk management.
+ Establishing KPI dashboards for cost, schedule, safety, quality, and readiness; driving corrective actions to keep projects on track.
Program & Project Leadership
+ Overseeing the full lifecycle: concept design, detailed engineering, permitting, construction, FAT/SAT, commissioning, qualification/validation (as applicable), and handover to Operations.
+ Chairing the Program Steering Committee; managing scope, timelines, and change control across multiple workstreams (construction, utilities, process equipment, IT/OT, security).
Operational Readiness & Start‑Up
+ Collaborating with key leadership and stakeholders to build the site operating model, organizational structure, staffing and shift plans, training curricula, standard work, and maintenance strategies.
+ Leading start‑up readiness (materials, workflows, compliance, safety) and stabilizing operations to targeted throughput and quality metrics.
Regulatory, Quality & EHS Compliance
+ Ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and standards (e.g., cGMP/GxP, OSHA, EPA, local codes); driving audit readiness and continuous improvement in quality and safety culture.
+ Integrating quality by design into facility and process layouts; collaborating to develop and implement site policies and SOP frameworks.
Cross‑Functional & Executive Stakeholder Management
+ Partnering with senior leaders across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, IT/OT, and HR to align site development with enterprise strategy.
+ Communicating program status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership and the Board, as needed.
Technology & Infrastructure
+ Championing resilient utilities (power, water, HVAC, compressed air), digital plant solutions (MES, EAM/CMMS, BMS/EMS, security), and data governance for real‑time performance management.
+ Driving sustainability initiatives (energy efficiency, waste reduction, circularity) and ensuring infrastructure scalability.
+ Developing state of the art facilities capturing and delivering on key initiatives such as paperless plant, digitization and modernization of facilities, zero manual transactions, sustainability.
Talent, Culture & Leadership
+ Recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, high‑performing team; setting clear accountabilities and succession plans.
+ Fostering a culture of safety, integrity, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
This role might be for you if you:
+ Have experience with and understanding of cGMPs, regulatory requirements, engineering, automation and validation principles
+ Have experience managing capital improvement projects, fit out planning and construction, or related significant value ($30M+) projects, preferably in pharmaceutical / biotech operations
+ Are adept at reading and understanding Architectural, Structural, Civil and related plans
Applicants must have a BS/BA in Construction Management, Engineering, Life Sciences or related field and 15+ years of relevant experience, including 12+ years of progressive management experience, preferably in pharmaceutical / biotech operations. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Does this sound like you? Apply now to take your first step towards living the Regeneron Way! We have an inclusive culture that provides comprehensive benefits, which vary by location. In the U.S., benefits may include health and wellness programs (including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance), fitness centers, 401(k) company match, family support benefits, equity awards, annual bonuses, paid time off, and paid leaves (e.g., military and parental leave) for eligible employees at all levels! For additional information about Regeneron benefits in the US, please visit https://careers.regeneron.com/en/working-at-regeneron/total-rewards/. For other countries’ specific benefits, please speak to your recruiter.
Please be advised that at Regeneron, we believe we are most successful and work best when we are together. For that reason, many of Regeneron’s roles are required to be performed on-site. Please speak with your recruiter and hiring manager for more information about Regeneron’s on-site policy and expectations for your role and your location.
Regeneron is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief (or lack thereof), sex, nationality, national or ethnic origin, civil status, age, citizenship status, membership of the Traveler community, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, familial status, marital or registered civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, gender identity, gender reassignment, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Company will also provide reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities or chronic illnesses of an otherwise qualified applicant for employment, unless the accommodation would impose undue hardship on the operation of the Company's business.
For roles in which the hired candidate will be working in the U.S., the salary ranges provided are shown in accordance with U.S. law and apply to U.S.-based positions. For roles which will be based in Japan and/or Canada, the salary ranges are shown in accordance with the applicable local law and currency. If you are outside the U.S, Japan or Canada, please speak with your recruiter about salaries and benefits in your location.
Please note that certain background checks will form part of the recruitment process. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with the law of the country where the position is based, including the type of background checks conducted. The purpose of carrying out such checks is for Regeneron to verify certain information regarding a candidate prior to the commencement of employment such as identity, right to work, educational qualifications etc.
Salary Range (annually)
$239,600.00 - $399,400.00
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Executive Director Technical Operations
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Rensselaer, NY)