Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs Operations

Company: Cepheid
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted on: April 27, 2025

Job Description:

At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate diagnostic testing. Our mission drives us, every moment of every day, as we develop scalable, groundbreaking solutions to solve the world's most complex health challenges. Our associates are involved in every stage of molecular diagnostics, from ideation to development and delivery of testing advancements that improve patient outcomes across a range of settings. As a member of our team, you can make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development.Cepheid is proud to work alongside a community of six fellow Danaher Diagnostics companies. Together, we're working at the pace of change on diagnostic tools that address the world's biggest health challenges, driven by knowing that behind every test there is a patient waiting.Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.The Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs Operations will lead the Medical and Scientific Affairs Study Review Process and manage a team that supports investigator-initiated and collaborative studies with external researchers, innovation studies, and knowledge management within Medical and Scientific Affairs. This role will coordinate with other research-focused teams across Cepheid including Research & Development, Clinical Affairs, and Value & Access to successfully deliver on medical strategic priorities. There will be opportunities to work with similar roles across Danaher and its operating companies to support broader research collaborations. Responsibilities include managing the study budget, accurately forecasting consumables, and ensuring the smooth dissemination of study results through publications, posters, presentations, and other channels. The Director will be responsible for other projects that support standardization, harmonization and optimization of processes and governance. Growth opportunities include learning through Danaher Business Systems (DBS) training, driving continuous improvement projects, participating in policy deployment initiatives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams across the Danaher platform.This position is part of the Medical and Scientific Affairs and will be onsite in Sunnyvale, CA. At Cepheid, our vision is to be the leading provider of seamlessly connected diagnostic solutions.In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Manage the teams who support infrastructure to assess and approve proposed studies between multiple cross-functional teams.
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, keeping them informed of study results and progress, while managing team members who support study logistics, including those for the scientific advisory board, contracting, and shipping consumables.
• Solve complex operational and organizational issues by managing evidence planning cross-functional teams and resolving conflicting decisions on study support.
• Provide business expertise to drive financial and operational performance through assessing financial impact of ongoing studies and managing study budgets.
• Collaborate and interact across functions at Cepheid including Clinical Affairs, R&D, Value & Access (HEOR) teams.
• Collaborate with leaders at Danaher and its diagnostics companies to build research partnerships and engage/cultivate Centers of Excellence to advance strategic priorities.
• Liaise with communications and other Cepheid functions to internally communicate key study findings and highlight achievements of the Medical & Scientific Affairs team.The essential requirements of the job include:
  • PhD or Master's degree with 12+ years of experience OR Bachelor's degree with 14+ years of experience AND 4+ years of experience managing people
  • 5+ years of experience as a project or program lead/manager in the health sciences (may be industry or other health sector)
  • Critically assess proposed studies for their scientific rigor, strategic alignment, and feasibility as well as track studies' progress and their contributions to evidence generation
  • Provide strategic vision and contribute to MSA's functional strategy, including future research directions and plans for addressing unmet clinical needs.
  • Proven track record of budget management and forecasting
  • Experience working in cross-functional/ matrix organization and managing stakeholders
  • Exceptional skills in leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizationTravel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:
    • Ability to travel - ability to travel within the US (
    • Must have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
    • Ability to lift, move or carry equipment up to 25lbIt would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
      • Infectious diseases molecular diagnostics
      • Prior experience in managing clinical trials
      • Training or Certification in Program ManagementCepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it's a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at .The salary range for this role is $175,800 - $235,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.Join our winning team today. Together, we'll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow's science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life. For more information, visit . Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. We value diversity and the existence of similarities and differences, both visible and not, found in our workforce, workplace and throughout the markets we serve. Our associates, customers and shareholders contribute unique and different perspectives as a result of these diverse attributes.The EEO posters are available here .We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at to request accommodation.

Keywords: Cepheid, Livermore , Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs Operations, Executive , Sunnyvale, California