Director of Operations

Are you ready to join Connecticut Innovation’s vibrant community of innovators? Connecticut Innovations (“CI”) is Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm, and we are passionate about serving our portfolio of 220+ companies across various industries, with strengths in life sciences, technology, and climate tech.

Come join RNAConnect as Director of Operations

RNAConnect Overview

RNA is the central biomolecule of life, as it connects the sequence of DNA to the production of proteins and serves as a structural building block for critical components within the cell. Despite the importance of detecting, quantifying and sequencing RNAs to exploit their roles in biology and medicine, the field of RNA research remains limited by the tools available for monitoring and manipulating RNA.

An enzyme called reverse transcriptase (RT) is the most foundational tool for converting RNA into cDNA, enabling sensitive detection and RNA sequencing. However, existing, commercially available RTs have significant deficiencies.

This problem has now been solved with the discovery of a powerful new ultraprocessive RT, MarathonRT (MRT). Discovered by the Pyle Lab at Yale University, MRT is an exceptionally processive RT that copies kilobase-length RNAs in a single pass without inhibition by secondary structures or repeats within an RNA template.

RNAConnect, Inc. was recently founded to translate this innovative scientific discovery into full-fledged commercial products that will transform research and clinical practice, underscoring the economic power of superior enzymatic ‘hardware.’

RNAConnect is funded by a consortium of investors including Connecticut Innovations.

Why Join RNAConnect?

• The field of RNA research, including therapeutics and vaccines is growing dramatically, partly driven by developing technologies such as single-cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. RNAConnect was formed to develop and commercialize better, foundational, enzymatic tools to support this explosive growth.
• Reverse transcriptase is a foundational tool for essentially all other efforts to interrogate RNA as well as the rapidly expanding efforts to discover, develop, and manufacture RNA biomarkers, mRNA therapeutics and vaccines, and entire classes of clinical diagnostics.
• For commercialization, a high-performance version (UltraMarathonRT (uMRT)), has been developed and will be optimized and incorporated into a suite of commercial products for the most common sequencing applications.
• uMRT products will, for the first time, allow the scientific community to read and detect variation within whole transcriptomes, revealing previously ‘invisible’ information that is critical for understanding all layers of biological function, from patients to single cells.
• Following the successful launch of uMRT earlier this year, we will launch multiple additional enzymatic products within the next 12 months and increase our employees by > 50% in 2025.
• Members of our Executive Team and Board of Directors have formed multiple venture-back companies with successful exits.

Director of Operations | Manufacturing to Order Fulfillment

This role will report to the Chief Executive Officer, be a core member of the leadership team, and be responsible for overseeing all aspects of enzyme and chemical reagent manufacturing, external Contract Manufacturing partners, and customer order fulfilment. This role will be accountable for ensuring new enzymatic products are successfully manufactured and delivered under tight time and budgetary constraints. He/she will oversee the growth and operations of the company labs and will ensure that the company's manufacturing operations are commercially robust and meet all regulatory requirements.

We are looking for a highly experienced and detail-oriented leader with a deep understanding of protein manufacturing, packaging/shipping, and technology transfer. The Director of Operations must take a high degree of ownership, can drive projects independently, work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and understand how his/her works contributes to the larger organizational goals.

The successful candidate will thrive in an entrepreneurial, high growth company that is dedicated to dramatically improving the enzymatic tools available to the RNA research community. He/she will wear multiple hats, must be adept at identifying both opportunities and problems and creating and implementing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a roadmap for the entire manufacturing supply chain operations
• Establish and create systems and department SOPs to ensure operational excellence
• Have technical responsibility to scale up enzyme and chemical reagent manufacturing and packaging at the company
• Manage external Contract Manufacturing Organization relationships and deliverables
• Create Operations processes and systems to support rapid introduction of multiple products and SKUs
• Maintain and relentless focus on Customer Satisfaction and ensure rapid delivery of products following initial customer orders
• Identify opportunities and drive initiatives to reduce COGS and create efficiencies in operational processes
• Ensure that the company's manufacturing operations meet all regulatory requirements as needed
• Manage the manufacturing budget and resources

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry, protein engineering)
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing proteins and experience developing and launching commercial products under tight timelines
• Experience in managing a multi-site manufacturing operation
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Can monitor and analyze day to day operation efficiency and maintain KPIs

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Connecticut Innovations and its portfolio companies are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We have strict wage minimums, offer benefits, and personal leave policies. Our goal is to provide safe, rewarding, and empowering work environments for all who interact with our company and/or portfolio companies.