Director, Site Head Operations

Place in the Organization
At uniQure, we are delivering on the promise of gene therapy and delivering hope for patients facing urgent unmet medical needs. Every role in our organization carries profound purpose; whether you're in research, operations, access, or support, your contributions impact patients. We're seeking passionate professionals who thrive in high-stakes environments, uphold rigorous quality standards, and share our relentless commitment to transforming the lives of patients.  Join us in making the impossible possible, where your expertise becomes a catalyst for life-changing treatments.
 
uniQure is seeking a dynamic, forward-looking Director, Site Head of Operations, Europe (Clinical Supply focus), accountable for all operations at our European manufacturing and clinical supply site. This role is central to enabling Clinical Operations across AAV clinical trials by ensuring reliable, compliant, and patient-ready supply. The Site Head leads end-to-end clinical supply execution and site operations, spanning planning and scheduling, inventory and logistics, warehousing, facilities, engineering, and site-level operational excellence. This role partners closely with US-based Global Operations, Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, and Quality leadership to translate clinical strategy into scalable, reliable site execution.
 
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in biopharma operations, particularly clinical supply chain, manufacturing, and regulated environments and a strong track record of leading multi-functional teams within a global, matrixed organization.
 
Key result areas (major duties, accountabilities and responsibilities)  
 
Clinical Supply Leadership & Execution

• Serve as the primary site operations leader, partnering closely with Clinical Supply, Clinical Trial Managers, and Global Supply Chain
• Lead clinical supply strategy for AAV programs, including demand planning, trial timelines, labeling, packaging, and depot strategy
• Ensure robust inventory planning and visibility, balancing forecast uncertainty, enrollment variability, and contingency planning
• Own clinical trial logistics and distribution (3PLs, depots, couriers), ensuring compliant and on-time delivery to sites and patients

 
Site Supply Chain, Logistics, Facilities & Engineering

• Oversee purchasing, planning and scheduling, inventory management, warehousing, and related logistics across clinical and commercial products, with prioritization of clinical readiness
• Lead facilities and engineering to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient site operations in line with GMP, GDP, and EU regulatory requirements
• Oversee maintenance, utilities, and capital projects supporting clinical supply, technology transfer, and future scale-up
• Manage external vendors and logistics partners, driving performance, service levels, and business continuity
• Align site execution with global S&OP processes and clinical timelines, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies
• Partner with Quality and EHS to ensure inspection readiness, manage nonconformances, and support regulatory inspections and audits

 
Operational Excellence & Performance Management

• Define and monitor KPIs across clinical supply (e.g., trial readiness, on-time delivery, inventory availability, lead time) and site operations
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, or similar initiatives to improve throughput, reduce cycle time, and enhance responsiveness to evolving clinical needs
• Conduct spend analysis to identify opportunities for savings, strategic consolidation, and cost avoidance
• Lead a multi-functional operations organization, driving accountability, talent development, and a culture of continuous improvement

 
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Governance

• Act as the primary site interface to US-based Clinical Operations, Quality and Global Operations leadership
• Ensure alignment with cGMP, GDP, and EU regulatory requirements across all site operations
• Lead or support cross-functional initiatives such as trial-specific supply chain design, labeling and packaging changes, and site-level contingency planning

 
Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, Business, or related field; advanced degree (MSc, MBA, or equivalent) preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of operations leadership experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (biopharma, ATMP, or advanced therapies preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years in senior leadership roles (e.g., Site Head, Operations Director, or equivalent) within a global organization
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Clinical Operations on clinical trial supply planning, logistics, and distribution strategies
• Strong expertise in clinical supply chain, logistics, inventory management, and external vendor oversight within GMP/GDP environments
• Experience leading facilities and engineering functions in manufacturing or high-tech environments
• Strong understanding of S&OP/S&OE, clinical demand planning, and supply chain systems (ERP, MES, LIMS, or equivalent)
• Proven ability to manage supply chain risk, optimize inventory, and improve lead times in clinical settings
• Strong communication skills in English; additional European language(s) a plus
• A strategic and hands-on operations leader who can translate clinical trial strategy into reliable site execution
• A strong cross-functional collaborator who effectively partners with Clinical Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing in a global matrix
• A people-focused leader who builds high-performing teams and fosters accountability and continuous improvement
• A data-driven decision-maker who navigates complexity and adapts to changing clinical priorities
• A pragmatic problem-solver with a strong sense of ownership and urgency, motivated by improving patient access to innovative therapies