Director of SaaS Platform Operations

11 hours ago

Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca GmbH Full time

Are you ready to be part of the future of healthcare? Are you able to think big, be bold and harness the power of digital and AI to take on longstanding life sciences challenges? Then Evinova, a new healthtech business, part of the AstraZeneca Group might be for you Transform billions of patients’ lives through technology, data and groundbreaking ways of working.

The Platform Operations team plays a critical role in ensuring the seamless delivery of our pharmaceutical clinical SaaS products by maintaining a highly reliable, secure, and scalable platform infrastructure hosted in AWS. This team is responsible for monitoring the health and performance of the platform, managing cloud resources, automating operations through infrastructure-as-code and CI/CD pipelines, and ensuring compliance with industry standards such as Good Clinical Practices (GCP). The team collaborates closely with engineering, product, and security teams to ensure platform capabilities meet business and customer needs while driving operational excellence.

As the Lead, you will oversee the day-to-day operations and long-term strategy of our platform, ensuring 24/7 availability, performance, and cost-efficiency. You will spearhead efforts to build a proactive, automated, and highly resilient operations environment, focusing on incident management, performance optimization, and disaster recovery. You will establish and enforce platform operational standards, drive compliance with pharmaceutical industry regulations, and act as a key partner for cross-functional teams during product launches and updates. By prioritizing mentorship, you will guide and grow a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. We require a deep understanding of cloud-native technologies, AWS infrastructure, and the unique demands of regulated industries, foundational to the successful delivery of impactful solutions to the pharmaceutical industry.

Accountabilities

Operational Excellence

  • Monitor platform health using tools for observability, logging, and metrics (e.g., Prometheus, CloudWatch, Datadog).

  • Respond to and resolve incidents quickly, with a focus on minimizing downtime and ensuring service level agreements (SLAs).

  • Conduct root cause analyses (RCA) and implement corrective measures for recurring issues.

  • Continuously analyze and optimize system performance to meet user demand and ensure cost efficiency.

  • Monitor application workloads and tune the system for scalability and responsiveness.

  • Implement and maintain backup and disaster recovery solutions.

  • Design for fault tolerance and redundancy to ensure high availability.

Platform Administration

  • Manage and optimize the underlying cloud environment (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).

  • Monitor resource utilization and optimize costs while maintaining required performance levels.

  • Maintain automation scripts and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).

  • Ensure seamless deployment of updates and new features using CI/CD pipelines.

  • Forecast future resource needs and plan for scaling up or down to meet changing demands.

Security and Compliance

  • Enforce strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and manage user permissions.

  • Ensure systems are up-to-date with patches and security updates.

  • Work with the security team to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in the infrastructure.

  • Implement controls and documentation processes to meet regulatory and industry standards (e.g., GCP, HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2).

Automation and Tooling

  • Develop scripts and tools to automate manual tasks, such as provisioning, monitoring, and scaling resources.

  • Maintain and enhance IaC practices to ensure consistency, traceability, and rapid provisioning.

Collaboration and Enablement

  • Work closely with product, engineering, and security teams to ensure platform requirements are met.

  • Act as the operational liaison for product launches, updates, and incident resolutions.

  • Provide operational tools, guidelines, and frameworks for development teams to manage and deploy applications.

Reporting and Documentation

  • Track and report platform uptime, response times, and other key performance indicators (KPIs).

  • Maintain up-to-date documentation for processes, configurations, and troubleshooting procedures.

Continuous Improvement

  • Conduct post-mortem meetings for incidents to identify areas for improvement.

  • Use feedback from internal and external stakeholders to refine platform capabilities.

  • Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and practices to improve platform operations.

Vendor & Contract Management

  • Act as the primary point of contact for the outsourced team, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met and deliverables align with the company’s operational requirements.

  • Regularly review the performance of the outsourced team, provide constructive feedback, and ensure their work meets the company's standards for quality, compliance, and efficiency.

  • Facilitate seamless collaboration between the contract team and internal teams, aligning their efforts with the broader platform and product goals.

  • Develop and maintain documentation and knowledge-sharing practices to ensure continuity of operations and enable a smooth transition to an in-house team in the future.

  • Ensure the contract team adheres to company policies, industry regulations (e.g., GCP), and security protocols, addressing any gaps proactively.

Essential Skills/Experience

  • Significant experience in SaaS platform operations or related fields, with substantial experience in a leadership role.

  • Technical degree or equivilent

  • Experience running operations for a cloud-native SaaS platform.

  • Familiarity with operational requirements in regulated industries, particularly the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector is highly preferred.

  • Demonstrated ability to lead post-incident reviews and implement solutions for system improvements.

  • Experience managing budgets including cloud cost optimization and vendor contract negotiation.

  • Deep knowledge of AWS services, including EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, CloudFormation, and CloudWatch.

  • Experience with monitoring and optimizing cloud infrastructure for scalability and cost-efficiency.

  • Proficiency with tools like Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation for automating resource provisioning and management.

  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, or AWS CodePipeline.

  • Strong scripting skills in Python, Bash, or similar for automation and troubleshooting.

  • Familiarity with observability tools like Datadog, Prometheus, or ELK stack.

  • Experience managing outsourced or contract teams, including monitoring performance and ensuring SLA adherence.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, product, and security teams.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting and documentation.

  • Proven track record of hiring, mentoring, and building high-performing operations teams. Deep knowledge of cloud platforms, specifically AWS, microservices architecture, API design, and database management (SQL/NoSQL).

  • Strong understanding of security principles, including encryption, identity management, and compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

  • Human Bio-Samples Platform Director

    1 month ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    ABOUT ASTRAZENECA AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place...

  • Human Bio-Samples Platform Director

    1 month ago

    Gaithersburg, United States National Black MBA Association Full time

    ABOUT ASTRAZENECAAstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place...

  • Identity and Access Management Platform Sales Specialist

    4 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States AuthX Full time

    About AuthXWe are seeking a highly motivated Sales Development Representative to join our team at AuthX, a cloud-based identity and access management platform. As a Sales Development Representative, you will be responsible for finding and screening potential customers who could benefit from our products and services.The ideal candidate will have a strong...

  • Director of Product Security Engineering

    5 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    Are you ready to be part of the future of healthcare? Are you able to think big, be bold, and harness the power of digital and AI to tackle longstanding life sciences challenges? Then Evinova, a new health tech business part of the AstraZeneca Group might be for you! As the Director of Product Security Engineering, you have a unique opportunity to join...

  • Operations Director

    4 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Wesco Full time

    Job SummaryAs the Director of Operations, you will oversee the performance of warehouse operations, including pick, pack, and ship for multiple site locations. This role requires strategic leadership to optimize established levels of business performance and KPI measuring to attain best-in-class results for on-time delivery, safety, quality control...

  • Director/Senior Director Program/Portfolio Management

    3 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States Workforce Genetics Full time

    Director/Senior Director Program/Portfolio Management:Lead the strategic planning and execution of our portfolio of early-mid stage biotech programs including the transition of assets from research into the clinic attending to scientific distinction, regulatory requirements and commercial potential in alignment with corporate goals. This role is critical to...

  • Customer Service Agent

    2 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States EMP Trust Solutions, LLC Full time

    We are actively seeking a solutionsoriented Software Support Specialist (Agent) to join our team! You will be directly responsible providing functional customer support through various mediums such as phone email and online chat. This role is a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining a fastpaced culture and growth within an organization. EMP Trust...

  • Customer Service Agent

    2 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States EMP Trust Solutions, LLC Full time

    We are actively seeking a solutionsoriented Software Support Specialist (Agent) to join our team! You will be directly responsible providing functional customer support through various mediums such as phone email and online chat. This role is a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining a fastpaced culture and growth within an organization. EMP Trust...

  • Executive Director, Process Engineering

    3 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    If you have the passion and the drive to accelerate growth and make people's lives better - then AstraZeneca is the place for you. In Operations we have a big ambition - to deliver more medicines to patients, quicker and more affordably. Backed by the investment, leadership and a clear plan to get there, we bring personal dedication and out of the box...

  • Center Director

    1 month ago

    Gaithersburg, United States Learning Care Group Full time $65,000 - $68,000

    Our organization prides itself on excellence, putting the education and development of our children first and foremost. When you consider a career at Learning Care Group, know you will be joining a team that is passionate about thoroughly preparing their students for all the challenges that lie ahead. In a Director, we look for committed individuals who want...

  • Biotech Portfolio Director

    1 month ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Workforce Genetics Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly experienced Biotech Portfolio Director to lead the strategic planning and execution of our portfolio of early-mid stage biotech programs. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leading programs from research into clinical development and will be responsible for establishing architecture and governance...

  • Corporate Development Director

    4 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Emergent BioSolutions Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled Director, Corporate Development to play a leading role in Emergent BioSolutions' M&A/Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the biopharmaceutical industry and experience in M&A/BD&L processes from origination through to execution.Key Responsibilities...

  • Associate Director Study Leader, Cell Therapy

    5 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD: Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 guides in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of...

  • Biologics CMC Director

    1 month ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Workforce Genetics Full time

    Job Title: Biologics CMC DirectorIntegerBio is seeking a highly experienced Biologics CMC Director to lead the development, scale-up, and manufacturing of clinical trial products for our early-stage biologic assets. As a key member of our scientific team, you will be responsible for managing the selection, start-up, and oversight of a CDMO partner to ensure...

  • Director of Global Compensation and Benefits

    4 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Emergent BioSolutions Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled Director of Global Compensation and Benefits to lead our company's compensation and benefits function. This role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing programs, policies, and initiatives that attract and retain top talent, optimize the workforce, and drive productivity and growth.Key...

  • Senior Director, Biologics Automation

    3 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    Senior Director, Biologics Automation Location: Cambridge - UK (Cambridge Biomedical Campus) / US (Gaithersburg, MD) At AstraZeneca, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We’re building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening up new ways to work, pioneering...

  • Operations Supervisor

    3 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, United States Level One Personnel Full time

    Operations SupervisorHours: Full-time Monday-FridayPay: $25-30/hourLocation: Gaithersburg and Silver Spring, will need to be available for both officesType: Contract-to-hire; Permanent. Summary: The Operations Supervisor will work with and report to the Operations Manager and Project Director to oversee the company's TANF services in Maryland. The Operations...

  • Executive Director Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences

    6 months ago

    Gaithersburg, United States AstraZeneca Full time

    The Executive Director, Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences position will be responsible for all aspects of upstream development and strategic direction to support the advancement of AstraZeneca’s (AZ’s) biologics pipeline projects from pre-clinical to commercial stage. The successful candidate will also drive the development and implementation of...

  • Associate Director Facility Management, Site Services

    2 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, United States National Black MBA Association Full time

    Introduction to role: The Associate Director Facility Management for Site Services will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of contract services for a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. This role requires extensive experience in managing vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with GMP regulations, and driving operational excellence within...

  • Associate Director, Data Science, Translational Proteomics

    3 weeks ago

    Gaithersburg, United States myGwork - LGBTQ+ professionals & allies Full time

    This inclusive employer is a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Associate Director, Data Science, Translational Proteomics Gaithersburg, MD Join our dedicated Oncology team at AstraZeneca, where our ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. As an Associate Director, Data Science in Translational...