Associate Director, Lab Operations

Overview

Alnylam seeks a Lab Operations, Associate Director to run our Cambridge based labs efficiently. The Lab Operations leader will be responsible for implementing a strategic vision for Research and eDEV (ReDEV) laboratories to improve processes, handle data, and enhance workflows. The Lab Operations role will work on Infrastructure Capital projects related to space planning and large information technology projects. This role collaborates heavily with our ReDEV teams, Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, Finance, Sourcing, and Space Planning. Proactive in process improvements, attention to detail, organization and communication are key to this position while keeping Alnylam’s “small company” culture in mind.

This position is onsite and will be primarily located in Cambridge, MA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the long-term planning for laboratories strategy related to but not limited to space planning, IT Capital projects implementation, data archiving, capital builds, and lab operations
• Supervise and coach a team of lab operations staff to include work delegation, time management and providing applicable training to develop the existing team to ensure high service delivery standards are maintained and to seek improvements as necessary
• Manage the Sample Management team to coordinate operational activities for the handling, shipping, tracking, and storing and transferring of biological materials and test articles in our Laboratory Information Management System
• In collaboration with facilities, Manage all lab equipment, preventative maintenance, and service contracts with applicable vendors
• Manages the Capital budget for Research and eDEV along with providing budgetary guidance to Finance
• Manages the journal subscriptions and databases for the company
• In collaboration with Finance, Sourcing, Facilities, and IT, execute the purchase of capital lab equipment
• Manage all assets to include inputting new assets, asset locations, PM scheduling, maintenance history and final disposition of assets
• In collaboration with Space Planning, lead short- and long-term lab and office space needs
• Primary point of contact for scientific leadership and lab-based associates for space management in the labs and office areas
• Participating and leads infrastructure, capability, and renovation projects as needed
• Work with EH&S and Security on all relevant issues including but not limited to partnering with EH&S to ensure laboratory safety standards are followed, all licenses are up to date, create and implement high quality standards of good lab practices, help to create, and influence safety policies, and collaborate with the Emergency Response Team
• Collaborate with scientists to address any workflow bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or opportunities for process improvements
• Provide “on-call” support on a rotating basis. Support regular 24-7 operation of laboratory and ensure appropriate response to equipment issues as needed
• Partner with Sourcing to assist with ordering and tracking of supplies
• Liaison with Scientist and legal to support request for contracts and changes to agreements including but not limited to Confidentiality and Consulting agreements
• Appropriately manage information of a highly confidential and critical nature
• Work with Research leaders on business continuity plans as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in life sciences field. Masters and/or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline preferred - technical R&D / business acumen required.
• Minimum of 9 years’ experience working in a laboratory setting
• Experience leading/organizing a team
• Experience working with and operating laboratory equipment as well as management of laboratory space
• Strong background in asset management and information technologies
• Knowledge of basic lab equipment maintenance (ex: freezer, fridges, centrifuges, liquid handlers, etc.)
• Ability to understand basic experimental design and in vitro assays
• Excellent Verbal and written communication skills required
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to maintain a high standard of confidentiality
• Strong follow-up and time management skills with ability to effectively multi-task and a willingness to perform a wide range of tasks.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

About Alnylam: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and more prevalent diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach to treating diseases at their genetic source by “interfering” with mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Since our founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to turn scientific possibility into reality.

Our culture: Our people-first culture is guided by our core values: fiercely innovative, open culture, purposeful urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to people, and these values influence how we work and the business decisions we make. Thanks to feedback from our employees over the years, we’ve been fortunate to be named a top employer around the world. Alnylam is extremely proud to have been recognized as the #1 Large Employer by Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2023 for the third consecutive year, one of Science Magazine’s Top Biopharma Employers, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2024 by Newsweek, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UK – among others.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. We are dedicated to building an environment where employees can feel that they belong, can bring their authentic selves to work, and achieve to their full potential. By empowering employees to embrace their unique differences at work, our business grows stronger with advanced and original thinking, allowing us to bring groundbreaking medicines to patients. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics prohibited by law.