Fate Therapeutics is looking for a Senior Manager, Biomarker Operations to help advance innovative clinical programs by shaping and executing biomarker sample strategies across studies. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, detail-oriented operations professional who enjoys partnering across scientific, clinical, and vendor teams, solving complex challenges, and improving processes that support high-quality study execution. This is a full-time, exempt position located at our corporate headquarters in San Diego, CA.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day biomarker sample operations for clinical studies, including sample logistics, issue resolution, protocol amendments, lab manual updates, study initiation materials, and escalation of study-related risks.
- Partner with Translational and Clinical teams to design and implement innovative, feasible biospecimen collection and handling approaches that uphold quality, ethical, and informed consent standards.
- Maintain accurate sample inventories and oversee short- and long-term sample storage solutions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including Translational Scientists, Medical Monitors, Clinical Operations, Finance, Procurement, Legal, Data Management, and Quality Assurance.
- Work with Quality Assurance to support vendor qualification and audit activities.
- Manage CROs and external laboratories to ensure key deliverables, timelines, sample processing, testing, and data reporting meet study specifications and business requirements.
- Organize and facilitate meetings with internal and external stakeholders to support alignment and timely execution.
- Oversee central lab budgets, contracts, MSAs, legal agreements, and other agreements related to clinical biomarker activities, laboratories, and partnerships.
- Coordinate with Clinical and IT teams to manage data reporting from CROs into Fate and clinical study vendor systems, as appropriate.
- Provide cross-functional study updates to clinical study and biomarker teams, including sample collection, assay status, and analysis updates.
- Develop and update SOPs for cross-functional biomarker operational processes.
Qualifications
- MS or higher degree with 3+ years of experience in biomarker operations, or BS degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing clinical or biomarker operations from study initiation through completion, including collaboration with central labs and CROs to execute biomarker study plans.
- Experience working with clinical trial sites and related clinical CROs.
- Knowledge of cancer biology, immunology, biomarkers, drug development, and clinical trial methodology is a plus.
- Experience with one or more Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) is strongly preferred.
- Prior experience or familiarity with IND preparation and filing is preferred.
- Strong planning, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and competing deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
- High emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach to working effectively across cross-functional teams.
- Innovative mindset with the ability to introduce new ideas, improve processes, and solve problems creatively.
- Flexibility in schedule and willingness to travel as needed.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Travel may be required (up to 10%).
- Subject to extended periods of sitting and standing, vision to monitor, and moderate noise levels.
Compensation
- The salary offer will be based on a variety of factors, including level, experience, qualifications, internal equity, and location.
- Fate offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, equity, and a generous benefits package.
- The anticipated salary range for this role is $150,000 - $165,000.
Skills Required
- MS or higher degree with 3+ years of experience in biomarker operations
- BS degree with 5+ years of relevant experience
- Experience managing clinical or biomarker operations from study initiation through completion
- Experience collaborating with central laboratories and CROs to execute biomarker study plans
- Experience working with clinical trial sites and clinical CROs
- Knowledge of cancer biology, immunology, biomarkers, drug development, and clinical trial methodology
- Experience with one or more Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
- Prior experience or familiarity with IND preparation and filing
- Strong planning, organization, follow-through, and ability to manage competing deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written communication, presentation, and influencing skills
- High emotional intelligence and collaborative cross-functional working approach
- Innovative problem-solving and process improvement mindset
- Flexibility in schedule and willingness to travel as needed
What We Do
Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of first-in-class cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer. The Company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of universal, off-the-shelf cell products using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform. The Company’s immuno-oncology pipeline includes off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are designed to synergize with well-established cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, and to target tumor-associated antigens using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.fatetherapeutics.com.







