What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Director, RA/QA Strategy & Business Integration position at Foundation Medicine?
About The Job
Foundation Medicine is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Senior Director, RA/QA Strategy & Business Integration. This role acts as the primary interface between Regulatory Affairs/Quality Assurance (RA/QA) and cross-functional internal business partners, including Product, R&D, and Operations as well as external business partners.
The role is a strategic enabler of innovation, playing a central role in shaping both regulatory and product strategy. The Senior Director ensures quality and regulatory perspectives actively inform development pathways, partnerships, and go-to-market decisions. They will also represent FMI externally, engaging with biopharma partners and at industry forums, while positioning RA/QA as a proactive driver of speed,
innovation, and competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications:
Foundation Medicine is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Senior Director, RA/QA Strategy & Business Integration. This role acts as the primary interface between Regulatory Affairs/Quality Assurance (RA/QA) and cross-functional internal business partners, including Product, R&D, and Operations as well as external business partners.
The role is a strategic enabler of innovation, playing a central role in shaping both regulatory and product strategy. The Senior Director ensures quality and regulatory perspectives actively inform development pathways, partnerships, and go-to-market decisions. They will also represent FMI externally, engaging with biopharma partners and at industry forums, while positioning RA/QA as a proactive driver of speed,
innovation, and competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership
- Serve as the primary RA/QA leader interfacing with Product, R&D, and Operations, shaping regulatory and product strategy
- Drive early and impactful integration of RA/QA into product development, strategic planning, and decision-making
- Guide development pathways to balance innovation, compliance, speed, and scalability
- Position RA/QA as a strategic enabler of innovation and competitive advantage
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Governance
- Lead prioritization of RA/QA engagement based on business impact and strategic importance
- Orchestrate the right expertise across RA/QA (e.g., Software, Device, Laboratory Quality) to support key initiatives
- Ensure consistent, risk-based application of quality and regulatory frameworks across the enterprise
- Act as escalation point for high-impact or ambiguous regulatory and quality decisions
- Operational Excellence & Strategic Enablement
- Drive simplification and optimization of RA/QA processes to accelerate development timelines
- Align RA/QA resources to highest-value initiatives, enabling focus on innovation and strategic priorities
- Anticipate emerging regulatory trends, risks, and business needs to inform forward-looking strategy
- External Engagement & Influence
- Represent FMI with biopharma partners and in industry forums, shaping external perspectives on regulatory and quality strategy
- Build strong relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders
- Influence key decisions to ensure optimal balance between compliance, innovation, speed, and market impact
- Comply with FMI's attendance policies
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related discipline
- 12 years of experience in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs in biotech, diagnostics, or medical device environments
- Demonstrated experience shaping regulatory strategies and supporting product development in regulated environments (e.g., FDA, CLIA, CAP, IVDR)
- Proven track record of influencing cross-functional decision-making across Product, R&D, and Operations
- Experience engaging with external stakeholders (e.g., biopharma partners, regulatory authorities, or industry forums)
- 5 years of leadership experience, including leading through influence in a matrixed organization
- Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (PhD, MS, MBA, or equivalent)
- Deep expertise in regulatory strategy across the product lifecycle, ideally in diagnostics, IVD, or precision medicine
- Experience shaping complex product development programs in close partnership with Product and R&D
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive enterprise-level decisions in a matrixed environment
- Experience representing an organization externally as a thought leader in regulatory and quality strategy
- Track record of building or evolving QA/RA operating models, governance, or strategic capabilities
- Strong understanding of global regulatory environments (e.g., FDA, IVDR) and risk-based decision-making frameworks
- Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and enterprise mindset
- Exceptional communication and executive presence
- Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
- Strong judgment and decision-making in complex environments
- Continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Understanding of HIPAA and the importance of patient data privacy
- Commitment to reflect FMI’s values: Integrity, Courage, and Passion
Salary : $230,800 - $288,500