Vice President Operations

Role DescriptionThe Vice President (VP) of Operations will report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer and will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team. This position carries broad operational responsibility for Inhalon’s Morrisville site and is accountable for ensuring that day-to-day operations, program execution, facilities, and site-level functions run efficiently and in alignment with corporate objectives. Position SummaryThe VP of Operations will oversee all activities within the Morrisville research facility, including coordination with other businesses co-located at the site, while holding accountability for site-level financial management, grant administration, legal coordination, and HR. Critically, project management will report directly to this role to ensure rigorous execution against company program goals. The VP of Operations will work in close partnership with the CEO to execute operational strategy and support the company’s near- and long-term plans.This position will be based full-time in our in Morrisville, NC location (Research Triangle Park). Relocation will be considered.ResponsibilitiesProgram Management•       Oversee the program management function to ensure disciplined tracking of program timelines, milestones, and deliverables against company goals; proactively identify and mitigate risks to execution.•       Partner with research and development leadership to align operational resources with scientific priorities and ensure programs are executed on time and within budget.•       Actively participate in key project meetings, reviews, and updates to improve team decision-making and execution.•       Partner with research and development leadership to align operational resources with scientific priorities and ensure programs are executed on time and within budget.•       Actively participate in key project meetings, reviews, and updates to improve team decision-making and execution.Finance & Grant Administration•       Manage site-level and functional budgets, including forecasting, reporting, and spend tracking; support cross-functional budget alignment in coordination with the CEO.•       Own end-to-end grant application and administration processes, including drafting, coordination, submission, compliance, and reporting — with particular focus on government-funded programs (e.g., BARDA).•       Manage billing, accounts receivable, grant spending, and vendor relationships at the site level.•       Provide operational and financial inputs to support fundraising and investor activities as needed.Contracts & Legal Coordination•       Lead negotiation and execution of vendor/supplier contracts and CRO/CMO agreements; coordinate with outside counsel on partnership, BD, and government contract matters as directed by the CEO.•       Support legal affairs coordination including contract management, regulatory compliance documentation, and corporate governance activities, engaging outside counsel as appropriate.Site Management•       Oversee research facility operations for Inhalon and coordinate with other businesses co-located at the Morrisville site to ensure a safe, compliant, and productive work environment.•       Work with the lab manager on facilities management, receiving, and IT infrastructure.General•       Develop and foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across all operational functions.•       Establish and maintain scalable operational policies, procedures, and systems that support the company’s growth from early stage through clinical and commercial development.•       Travel as needed to support company operations and external partnerships.Qualifications•       Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration (MBA), life sciences, or a related field preferred. An undergraduate or graduate degree in a life science discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, biochemistry) is a plus given the scientific nature of the company’s work.•       Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive operational leadership experience, with at least 3 years managing a defined operational function or site in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences sector.•       Demonstrated experience managing operational functions including finance, facilities, HR, and vendor/contract management in a research or clinical-stage company.•       Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience managing budgets, functional reporting, and spend tracking.•       Experience with grant management, government contracts, or other non-dilutive funding mechanisms (e.g., BARDA, NIH) is highly desirable.•       Proven track record of success in early-stage or growth-stage biotech or startup environments, with demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, resource-constrained organization.