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Job Description
This is a hybrid role in Needham, MA office (2-3 days a week in office required)
W2 salaired contract role until September 2027 (Health and wellness benefits + PTO)
Salary: $217,000-$235,000 annualized
Why Work With Us?
At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive,
mission driven environment. Like a team, we show up for each other and stay focused on making a difference
for patients and families. Our leadership is transparent and empowering, and our culture is built on trust,
flexibility, and accountability, encouraging ownership and innovation every day. If you thrive in a lean, fast
moving environment where your work truly matters, you will feel at home here.
Our Science: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies Candel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company
developing off the shelf, multimodal cancer immunotherapies designed to stimulate personalized, systemic anti
tumor immune responses. Our proprietary platforms leverage genetically modified adenovirus and HSV
constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate, this is a pivotal and exciting time to join
Candel and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more at www.candeltx.com.
Position Summary:
The QC Lab Director is responsible for the establishment, leadership, and ongoing operation of Candel
Therapeutics’ internal GMP Quality Control laboratory.
The QC Lab Director will provide leadership, direction, and technical oversight to the QC team while ensuring
compliance with GMP requirements and internal quality standards. This role partners closely with Quality
Assurance, Analytical Development, R&D, and other internal stakeholders to support clinical development
activities.
Essential Areas of Responsibility:
• Provide leadership and oversight for the internal GMP QC laboratory, including establishment of
laboratory operations, workflows, and execution standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop QC laboratory staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and compliant
team culture.
• Directly manage internal QC staff and planned contract resources, supporting performance, growth,
and role readiness.
• Ensure QC laboratory operations are conducted in compliance with GMP requirements, internal SOPs,
and data integrity expectations.
• Serve as a key QC partner to Quality Assurance for deviations, investigations, change controls,
CAPAs, and inspection readiness activities.
• Provide hands-on leadership and operational support in the laboratory environment as needed to meet
business and quality objectives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Analytical Development, R&D, Manufacturing, and other internal
stakeholders to support testing needs and program timelines.
• Support audit and inspection activities related to QC laboratory operations, documentation, and
systems.
• Implement and maintain practical, scalable QC processes appropriate for a growing biotech
organization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the QC laboratory while maintaining appropriate
controls and compliance.
• Contribute to staffing plans, onboarding, training, and long-term QC capability development.
Minimum Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a GMP Quality Control laboratory environment within biotech
or pharmaceutical organizations.
• Demonstrated experience operating within a true QC organization, with a strong understanding of QC
structure, controls, and GMP rigor.
• Prior experience leading, mentoring, or managing QC laboratory staff.
• Experience supporting GMP inspections, audits, and quality system activities impacting QC
operations.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively
across functions.
• Comfort working in a build-phase or evolving environment where systems and infrastructure are
developing.
• Proficiency with standard office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Must be authorized to work in the US. We are unable to provide any sponsorship at this time.
NOTE: We are not accepting resumes from recruiters.
W2 salaired contract role until September 2027 (Health and wellness benefits + PTO)
Salary: $217,000-$235,000 annualized
Why Work With Us?
At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive,
mission driven environment. Like a team, we show up for each other and stay focused on making a difference
for patients and families. Our leadership is transparent and empowering, and our culture is built on trust,
flexibility, and accountability, encouraging ownership and innovation every day. If you thrive in a lean, fast
moving environment where your work truly matters, you will feel at home here.
Our Science: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies Candel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company
developing off the shelf, multimodal cancer immunotherapies designed to stimulate personalized, systemic anti
tumor immune responses. Our proprietary platforms leverage genetically modified adenovirus and HSV
constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate, this is a pivotal and exciting time to join
Candel and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more at www.candeltx.com.
Position Summary:
The QC Lab Director is responsible for the establishment, leadership, and ongoing operation of Candel
Therapeutics’ internal GMP Quality Control laboratory.
The QC Lab Director will provide leadership, direction, and technical oversight to the QC team while ensuring
compliance with GMP requirements and internal quality standards. This role partners closely with Quality
Assurance, Analytical Development, R&D, and other internal stakeholders to support clinical development
activities.
Essential Areas of Responsibility:
• Provide leadership and oversight for the internal GMP QC laboratory, including establishment of
laboratory operations, workflows, and execution standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop QC laboratory staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and compliant
team culture.
• Directly manage internal QC staff and planned contract resources, supporting performance, growth,
and role readiness.
• Ensure QC laboratory operations are conducted in compliance with GMP requirements, internal SOPs,
and data integrity expectations.
• Serve as a key QC partner to Quality Assurance for deviations, investigations, change controls,
CAPAs, and inspection readiness activities.
• Provide hands-on leadership and operational support in the laboratory environment as needed to meet
business and quality objectives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Analytical Development, R&D, Manufacturing, and other internal
stakeholders to support testing needs and program timelines.
• Support audit and inspection activities related to QC laboratory operations, documentation, and
systems.
• Implement and maintain practical, scalable QC processes appropriate for a growing biotech
organization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the QC laboratory while maintaining appropriate
controls and compliance.
• Contribute to staffing plans, onboarding, training, and long-term QC capability development.
Minimum Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a GMP Quality Control laboratory environment within biotech
or pharmaceutical organizations.
• Demonstrated experience operating within a true QC organization, with a strong understanding of QC
structure, controls, and GMP rigor.
• Prior experience leading, mentoring, or managing QC laboratory staff.
• Experience supporting GMP inspections, audits, and quality system activities impacting QC
operations.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively
across functions.
• Comfort working in a build-phase or evolving environment where systems and infrastructure are
developing.
• Proficiency with standard office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Must be authorized to work in the US. We are unable to provide any sponsorship at this time.
NOTE: We are not accepting resumes from recruiters.