Director, Clinical Operations

About Shasqi

What if cancer drugs could find the tumor -- and go nowhere else? What if this meant you could get potent therapy directly to the tumor, sparing healthy cells? That's the future we're building at Shasqi, using Nobel Prize-winning science to unleash powerful therapies only where they're needed. We're a small, driven team encompassing broad backgrounds and experiences, united by a single mission: make cancer treatments more effective with minimal side effects.

Our Operating Principles

• We move fast because speed matters to cancer patients.
• We aim to communicate openly and challenge ideas regardless of job title.
• We are bold, take risks, and push boundaries being led by science.
• We operate with humble confidence: meaning we can balance our sense of capability and conviction without ego, while being humble to seek advice and learn from our mistakes.

If that fires you up, come build the future of cancer therapy with us!

You're the right fit for Shasqi if you...

• Are mission driven and eager to do the best work of your career, developing novel therapies that will transform cancer treatment.
• Can balance scientific rigor with a fast-paced environment.
• Are comfortable with ambiguity and making decisions in the face of uncertainty.
• Operate with a strong sense of agency and invite feedback and advice.
• Can challenge convention and think of creative solutions that meet the needs of the company.
• Are a doer, hands-on, resourceful, and do not hesitate to step up.
• Willing to collaborate, debate, commit to decisions clearly, and revisit when evidence demands it.

Position Summary

Shasqi is hiring a Director, Clinical Operations to build and lead our clinical operations function for our oncology program. We're looking for an individual who's not afraid to get hands-on in the early days but is ready to spread their wings and help shape something much bigger as we grow. You will be the first hire shaping this function from the ground up, delivering high-quality, on-time, on-budget execution for a single Phase 1/2 study while designing it to scale across multiple programs. We are seeking a capable leader with the ability to deliver operational excellence and meet aggressive clinical milestones. The Director of Clinical Operations will report directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Required qualifications:

• 10+ years pharma/biotech experience, with 5+ years in oncology clinical operations (must include Phase 1 and 2 studies).
• Experience scaling ops from a first in class program to multiple programs in a biotech startup environment.
• Proven track record building and leading clinical ops teams, including direct hiring, mentoring, and performance management
• Hands-on experience leading global Phase 1/2 oncology studies end-to-end, from study startup to database lock
• Strategic thinker who translates vision into actionable plans and proactively mitigates risks- knows what can go wrong and how to proactively prepare for all possible outcomes.
• Strong vendor/CRO management: selection, oversight, issue resolution at executive level
• Expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation for clinical programs
• Advanced analytical skills; Excel/MS Project/Smartsheet expert for timelines, trackers, risk registers
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, autonomous yet collaborative
• Tech-savvy with passion for tools/processes driving efficiency
• Cross-functional leadership in matrixed organizations, influencing without authority
• Excellent communicator (written/verbal); comfortable presenting to C-suite/executives

Responsibilities including but not limited to the following:

• Lead operational delivery of Shasqi's lead oncology clinical program, ensuring on-time/on-budget execution while building scalable processes
• Serve as hands-on leader: roll up sleeves for critical tasks (study startup, site management, monitoring oversight)
• Build and scale clinical ops function: hire/ train first team members, establish SOPs, systems for growth
• Own clinical budgeting, forecasting, resource planning; achieve fiscal targets with <4% variance
• Select/manage CROs/vendors; negotiate contracts, oversee performance, resolve escalations
• Drive risk management, scenario planning, contingency strategies for study milestones
• Collaborate cross-functionally with others in the organization for integrated program success
• Provide strategic input to clinical development strategy; represent ops on leadership team
• Travel to sites as needed to meet with investigators, estimated 10% travel.

How We Work:

We are a remote-first company, with occasional travel for in-person team meetings or scientific conference attendance.

• Core collaboration window: 9:00am--3:00pm Pacific Time. You are expected to be available during this time for meetings and real-time collaboration.
• Async + sync balance: Outside of core hours, we work asynchronously, but timely communication and follow-through are expected.
• Meetings: You should be comfortable joining video calls, sharing availability on calendar and actively participating during core hours. You should be comfortable working across common tools including Zoom, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, and similar platforms.

Benefits & Eligibility

• Compensation at Shasqi: Competitive base salary as part of a broader total rewards package.
• Equity: Included as part of total compensations.
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, short- and long-term disability.
• Flexible PTO and a WFH stipend to support remote work.
• Ongoing growth opportunities, professional development, and mentorship.

Salary Range

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $200-$240K USD. Final compensation will depend on location, experience, skills, education, and internal equity. Our ranges are intentionally broad to reflect market conditions and the specialized nature of our work.

Eligibility

• U.S.-based employees only.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. We are not currently sponsoring visas.

About Shasqi

Shasqi is a biotech company advancing a new class of targeted cancer therapies, built on Nobel prize-winning technology called click chemistry. Backed by leading biotech investors, we are building a pipeline of first-in-class therapies that are designed to overcome the limitations of ADCs increasing efficacy and limiting toxicities. Our lead asset will be entering the clinic in early 2027. You can learn more about our company at www.shasqi.com

Please Note: At this time, Shasqi is not partnering with external recruiting agencies. We kindly ask that agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this role.

Shasqi is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable law.