"Chief Manufacturing Officer, Medicines for All"

Job Summary

Medicines for All (M4ALL), a part of Virginia Commonwealth University, is an entrepreneurial, impact-oriented institute dedicated to dramatically improving global access to lifesaving medicines. We achieve this through synthetic process innovation and advanced technology deployment to reduce costs and waste in small molecule drug substance manufacturing. Our work supports treatments for diseases such as TB, malaria, HIV, oncology, metabolic diseases, CNS, and immunology.

The Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) is a core member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), working in close partnership with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Business Officer (CBO) to ensure the organization’s infrastructure and operations are mission-aligned, resilient, and scalable.

The CMO provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across the organization’s enabling functions including Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT), Facilities & Safety, Project Management Office (PMO), and Information Technology (IT), ensuring each is positioned to support scientific excellence, client satisfaction, business growth, and long-term impact. The incumbent will provide strategic direction, technical guidance, and long-range planning for small molecule API development and manufacturing in a multipurpose plant environment.

This role is ideal for a systems-oriented leader who thrives in dynamic, mission-driven environments and can translate strategic goals into operational capabilities. The CMO will guide functional leads, build organizational capacity, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration.

M4ALL reports to the Senior Associate VP for Finance and Admin within VCU Health Sciences. The CMO will also work closely with functional partners across who support the delivery of M4ALL’s services.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Stewardship

• Serve as a key member of the ELT, contributing to organizational strategy, governance, and long-term planning, including defining and setting organizational goals and objectives, aligning resources and capabilities, and establishing performance metrics to drive accountability and business outcomes Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, systems, and capabilities that enable execution across the organization.
• Partner with the CSO and CBO to ensure scientific, business, and operational strategies are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, scalability, and organizational resilience.

Strategic Oversight of Operational Functions

The CMO will provide strategic direction and alignment across core operational functions, ensuring they are well-led, resourced, and continuously evolving to meet organizational needs. As M4ALL continues its growth, the CMO may also provide hands-on, day-to-day support in certain areas to build out the team and ensure these functions are well-led, resourced, and continuously evolving to meet organizational needs. Core operational functions include:

• Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT)
• Facilities & Safety
• Program Management Office
• IT

Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT)

M4ALL’s MSAT organization is responsible for implementing safe, compliant, robust, and efficient manufacturing processes and the continuous advancement of M4ALL’s manufacturing assets and capabilities. As CMO, you will be responsible and accountable for MSAT performance and continuous improvement:

• Provide strategic oversight of MSAT capabilities, ensuring alignment with scientific priorities, partner needs, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure on-time-in-full delivery of robust, compliant, and high-quality manufacturing solutions that advance access to medicines.
• Develop new partnership opportunities for M4ALL’s cGMP kilo facility in partnership with Business Operations.
• Review and approve the client-bound CMC sections to enable clients’ success in regulatory filings (INDAs).
• Serve as M4ALL’s lead liaison with regulatory authorities; participate in regulatory authority interactions and inspections.
• Collaborate with client and partner leadership, proactively manage API manufacturing-related risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure project success.

Facilities & Safety (F&S)

M4ALL’s F&S organization is responsible for managing laboratory and production operations at our Central R&D (Richmond, VA) and cGMP Kilo Facility (Chesterfield, VA) sites. The team ensures safe and efficient advancement of API process innovations from Process R&D to cGMP production in partnership with VCU Occupational Health & Safety (OHS). As CMO, you will be responsible and accountable for F&S performance and continuous improvement:

• Establish strategic vision for facilities management, workplace safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Operations & Inventory Management (scheduling, supply chain management).
• Equipment & Facilities (safety, maintenance, operational readiness).
• Ensure physical infrastructure supports scientific and business operations, while promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.

Project Management Office (PMO)

M4ALL’s PMO is responsible for the implementation of project management standards, governance, and methodologies that align with the organization’s mission and strategic goals. The PMO ensures efficient project execution in three core domains - client/partner services, capital investments, and business strategic programs. The PMO is a key liaison between Technology, Manufacturing, and Business Operations (internally) and between M4ALL and its customers and partners (externally). As CMO, you will be responsible and accountable for PMO performance and continuous improvement:

• Oversee the PMO’s strategic role in driving execution, prioritization, and accountability across programs and initiatives.
• Ensure project governance frameworks are fit-for-purpose and support cross-functional collaboration.

Information Technology (IT)

• Lead the build-out and define the organization’s IT strategy, ensuring systems, data architecture, and digital tools support operational excellence and innovation.
• Guide IT leadership in building secure, scalable, and user-centric technology infrastructure.
• Partner with university offices to ensure data security, regulatory compliance, and safe technology practices across all sites.

Qualifications

Required:

• Degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields.
• 10+ years of Senior Operations Leadership experience in small molecule drug substance manufacturing, in pharmaceutical services or pharmaceutical innovator contexts.
• Proven track record of small molecule API manufacturing success, leading small molecule drug development and manufacturing from IND-enabling, to first-in-human drug substance delivery and NDA submission.
• Proven success in leading complex operational functions and cross-functional teams.
• Experience overseeing facilities, safety, project management, technical operations, or IT in a regulated environment.
• Strong systems thinking and ability to design scalable processes and infrastructure.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills,, with the ability to convey complex ideas and influence across functions and levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders, including funders, partners, and internal teams.

Preferred:

• Experience building operational functions from the ground up or scaling in resource-constrained settings.
• Innovation and Change Management: Experience in implementing new processes, with the ability to drive change and foster alignment across the organization.
• Network within Industry: Established network of contacts within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, facilitating business development and partnership opportunities.

Key Attributes:

• Mission-driven with a deep commitment to equitable access to medicines.
• Strategic operator who can balance vision with execution.
• Collaborative leader who values transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Adaptable and resilient in dynamic, high-impact environments.

Additional Details

Salary Range: $225,000 - $290,000, Commensurate with experience

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and embodies everyday leadership, with an expectation to lead through actions, discussions, decisions, and interactions. As a role model within the organization, you will influence others by consistently demonstrating the values and behaviors that drive our mission forward. Additionally, as a people leader, you will inspire, coach, and develop your team, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and collaboration to ensure both individual and organizational success.

Work Environment: The ideal candidate will be local to the Greater Richmond area or able to relocate within a reasonable timeframe following the offer. This position will also require occasional travel within the region and internationally to support relationship-building and strategic initiatives.

Flexible Work Arrangement: Onsite requirement

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40 hours minimum

Restricted Position: Yes - Since M4ALL's inception in 2017, we have received significant financial support from a diverse portfolio of major donors. This position is grant-funded, with continued employment contingent upon ongoing funding.

ORP Eligible: Yes

University Job Title: 19511 - Chief of Staff Executive Leadership, Open

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g. H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Contact Information: M4ALL@vcu.edu