---
title: 'Director, Clinical Operations at Maze Therapeutics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-operations-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-8bfjmd3vbqe7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Director, Clinical Operations at Maze Therapeutics

- **Company:** Maze Therapeutics
- **Location:** South San Francisco, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** http://www.mazetx.com/careers/?gh_jid=8659924002

## Job description

The Position

At Maze Therapeutics, we believe precision medicine has the power to transform the lives of patients with both common and rare diseases. As Director of Clinical Operations, you will serve as Study Lead for a complex, global pivotal Phase 3 program within our chronic kidney disease (CKD) clinical development portfolio. You will be responsible for end-to-end study execution, working closely with cross-functional colleagues and external partners to translate development strategy into a practical study plan and deliver the study with quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Working closely with the study team, you will guide the Study Execution Team (SET), combining strategic oversight with hands-on execution to support successful trial delivery. This role requires someone who can synthesize complex information, anticipate challenges, facilitate cross-functional problem-solving, support timely decisions, and help teams identify the most effective path forward.

In partnership with the Oversight Director, you will support and develop a high-performing study team, oversee CRO and vendor activities, manage a substantial global study budget, and maintain continuous inspection readiness. The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative biotech environment and bring the flexibility, adaptability, and sound judgment needed to respond to evolving data and program priorities while maintaining clarity, accountability, and focus on study objectives.

The Impact You’ll Have

- Global Phase 3 Study Leadership
- Serve as the operational Study Lead for a global pivotal Phase 3 study (North America, South America, Africa, and Europe), maintaining responsibility for successful execution from protocol development and start-up through enrollment, database lock, study closeout, submission support, and inspection readiness.
- Act as the operational steward of the protocol, translating requirements into executable plans, keeping oversight of key study quality indicators such as operational performance, site trends, data quality, IP handling, etc. through identification/mitigation of emerging risk.
- Establish and proactively monitor key study milestones including FPI, feasibility, enrollment, site activation, interim analyses, database lock, and CSR delivery, utilizing data-informed forecasting and risk mitigation approaches.
- Support, coach, and develop Clinical Operations team members while coordinating a large cross-functional study team; establish clear expectations, encourage professional growth, and promote shared accountability for study outcomes.
- Delegate responsibilities with clear ownership, timelines, and decision authority, and work with the Oversight Director to align resources with evolving study needs.
- Vendor, CRO & Site Management
- Oversee global CRO, vendor, and site strategies, including selection, governance, performance metrics, risk management approaches, escalation pathways, and corrective action planning.
- Facilitate strategic discussions with CROs and vendors regarding master service agreements, study budgets, and scope modifications.
- Serve as the primary operational escalation resource for CRO, vendor, and site performance concerns.
- Participate in governance and partnership discussions with external service providers as needed.
- Budget & Financial Oversight
- Maintain accountability for a large global Phase 3 study budget, including forecasting, accruals, variance analysis, scope management, change control, and long-range planning.
- Data Quality, Compliance & Regulatory Readiness
- Maintain a continuous state of inspection readiness across the study, including safety reporting, TMF completeness and quality, essential documentation, evidence of vendor oversight, issue and CAPA management, and audit preparedness, in close partnership with Quality Assurance (QA).
- Collaborate with QA and Oversight Director on the study's operational compliance strategy, ensuring adherence to SOPs, ICH-GCP, and global regulatory requirements and timely remediation of quality or compliance risks.
- Process Optimization & Technology Implementation
- Collaborate with the Oversight Director and Head of Clinical Operations to evaluate and implement Clinical Operations best practices, SOP improvements, and scalable processes to support pivotal programs and future organizational growth.
- Encourage and support the adoption of new technologies and data-informed approaches, including RBM, advanced data insights, and AI/ML-enabled solutions, to enhance study efficiency and operational effectiveness.
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Guide the Study Execution Team (SET), providing operational coordination, strategic direction, and hands-on support to achieve high-quality study deliverables.
- Build alignment across Clinical Science, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Data Management, Safety, Quality, CMC, and Supply Chain functions.
- Foster effective communication and partnership across functions by ensuring appropriate stakeholder involvement and utilizing clear communication processes throughout the study lifecycle.

Leadership Competencies

As a Director, we also expect our leaders to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

- Communication and Influence
- Builds communication channels across Maze for sharing information
- Influences Senior Management decisions through persuasive arguments
- Respectfully addresses differing opinions leading to support of decision
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Champions partnerships and connections across Maze
- Proactively addresses issues that could result in breakdown of team relationships
- Spotlights team and individual contributions in public forums
- Execution and Results
- Addresses gaps and leverages strengths to get best results
- Maintains a steadying presence and clarifies priorities during change
- Anticipates and removes barriers that put functional/corporate goals at risk
- Develop Others and Self
- Removes barriers to staff development and empowers them to make their own decisions
- Stays current on industry trends and keeps direct-reports prepared and responsive

## What We’re Looking For

You might be the right fit for this role if you have:

- A Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health-related field with 10–12+ years of clinical operations experience, including study leadership of Phase I–III trials.
- Demonstrated success as the end-to-end operational lead for a complex large global Phase 3 study, including feasibility, startup, enrollment, study conduct, close-out, and inspection readiness.
- Experience leading clinical trials in renal, or cardiometabolic diseases is strongly preferred.
- Proven experience managing and developing teams, including coaching, mentoring, delegation, and supporting the growth of both managers and early-career professionals.
- Expertise in global regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA, ANVISA, AMA, ICH-GCP), including direct experience supporting audits, inspections, and inspection-readiness activities.
- Exceptional critical thinking and strategic judgment, with the ability to synthesize incomplete or evolving information, recommend a clear path forward, and influence decisions at study-team and executive levels.
- Strong strategic mindset with the ability to influence executive-level stakeholders.
- Experience operating in a hands-on role within a small or high-growth biotech environment, with demonstrated adaptability and responsiveness to changing data and program priorities.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to build alignment and productive working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Willing to travel up to 30% to support study needs.

## About Maze Therapeutics

Maze Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company harnessing human genetics to develop precision medicines for patients with kidney and metabolic diseases. Our clinical pipeline is anchored by two small molecule programs: MZE829, an APOL1 inhibitor for patients with APOL1‑mediated kidney disease, and MZE782, which targets genetic drivers of disease in phenylketonuria (PKU) and chronic kidney disease. We are also advancing a preclinical pipeline through our Compass platform, which links human genetic variants to the biological pathways that drive disease.

Our People

Maze is comprised of a team of passionate and creative professionals committed to discovering and delivering transformative medicines to patients suffering from both rare and common genetic diseases. We are fostering a culture that encourages vision, initiative and the development of talent. Our supportive work environment inspires creative thinking and freedom of expression, resulting in a stimulating atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work. While we have a passion for advanced science and pride ourselves on excellence in execution, ultimately, everything we do is about patients.

Our Core Values

Further Together – Our path is paved with challenges, but with resilience and a team-first mentality, we’ll achieve our mission.

Impact Obsessed – We embrace the bold, take calculated risks, and learn from our mistakes to improve the lives of others.

Stand True – Our integrity is foundational; it guides us no matter the obstacle.

The expected annual salary range for employees located in the San Francisco Bay Area is $232,000 - $283,000. Additionally, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus.

Maze performs position-based compensation benchmarking to industry market data to ensure we pay competitive wages. Determination of starting salary will depend upon a variety of job-related factors, which may include professional experience, skills, and job location. The expected salary range for this role may be modified in the future.

Maze offers a robust benefits package to our eligible employees including competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health offerings, equity incentive plan, 401(k) program with employer match and a generous holiday and PTO policy.

#LI-Hybrid

## About Maze Therapeutics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Maze Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small molecule precision medicines for common diseases, primarily kidney disease, by leveraging human genetics and its proprietary Compass platform.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: MAZE)
- **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: Not publicly listed as individual founders; the company was established by a team of geneticists and industry veterans.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Biotechnology / Biopharmaceuticals (Precision Medicine)
- **Target customers**: B2B (partners and investors), B2C (patients with APOL1-mediated kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, and phenylketonuria)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Harnessing the power of genetics to transform the lives of patients" by translating genetic insights into effective precision medicines.

## Products & Services
- **MZE829 (Lead Program)**: An oral, small molecule, dual-mechanism APOL1 inhibitor for the treatment of APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). Recently reported positive topline Phase 2 HORIZON trial data.
- **MZE782 (SLC6A19 Inhibitor)**: A precision medicine in development for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and phenylketonuria (PKU), currently in clinical trials.
- **Maze Compass™ Platform**: A proprietary platform that leverages variant functionalization to link genetic variants to disease pathways, enabling the discovery and design of precision medicines.
- **Other Pipeline Programs**: Several additional programs in drug discovery targeting renal, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Approximately **$1.48 Billion** (as of mid-2026, per CB Insights market cap data).
- **Key Metric**: **Total Raised** (including IPO): **$496 Million**. The company also announced a **$150 Million registered offering** in 2026.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Key investors include **Third Rock Ventures**, **Gilead Sciences**, **Genentech**, **Denali Therapeutics**, and **Calico Life Sciences** (as top talent sources and likely institutional backers). The company went public via a PIPE/IPO structure.
- **Growth Signals**: 
    - Positive topline data from the Phase 2 HORIZON trial of MZE829 (announced March 2026).
    - Three clinical-stage programs and several discovery-stage programs.
    - Active job postings increased by **120% year-over-year**.
    - Headcount of approximately 150 employees (based on LinkedIn data showing ~150 total employees).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary Compass Platform**: A unique, data-driven platform that functionally validates genetic variants, giving Maze a differentiated ability to identify and target disease-causing pathways that are often overlooked.
- **Focus on Common Diseases**: Unlike many precision medicine companies that focus on rare diseases, Maze targets large, unmet medical needs (e.g., chronic kidney disease), which represents a massive market opportunity.
- **Strong Genetic Foundation**: The company’s entire strategy is built on robust human genetic evidence, reducing the risk of late-stage clinical failures and increasing the probability of success.
- **Experienced Leadership Team**: The team includes veterans from leading biotech and pharma companies (Gilead, Genentech, Amgen), providing deep industry expertise in drug development and commercialization.

## Strategic Focus
- **Advance Lead Programs**: Primary focus is on progressing MZE829 through Phase 2/3 trials for APOL1-mediated kidney disease and advancing MZE782 for CKD and PKU.
- **Expand Pipeline**: Leveraging the Compass platform to identify and develop additional precision medicines for renal, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.
- **Clinical Data Generation**: Delivering key clinical readouts to support regulatory filings and potential partnerships.
- **Commercial Preparation**: Building the infrastructure and team (e.g., Senior Director, Talent Acquisition; Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Development) to prepare for potential late-stage success and launch.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Culture**: The company is deeply committed to "harnessing the power of genetics to transform the lives of patients," with core values of "Impact Obsessed," "Stand True" (integrity), and "Further Together" (teamwork and resilience).
- **Supportive Work Environment**: Maze promotes a culture that encourages "vision, initiative, and the development of talent," with a "stimulating atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work."
- **Comprehensive Benefits**: Offers "comprehensive and competitive health, financial, paid time off and many other benefits designed to promote the health and financial well-being of employees and their families."
- **Equal Opportunity Employer**: Committed to diversity and non-discrimination.
- **Growth Trajectory**: As a public clinical-stage company with positive clinical data and a 120% increase in job postings year-over-year, there are significant opportunities for career growth and impact.
- **Location**: Based in South San Francisco (a major biotech hub), though specific remote/hybrid policy is not publicly detailed.

## Sources
1. [mazetx.com](https://mazetx.com/)
2. [mazetx.com](https://mazetx.com/about-us/)
3. [mazetx.com](https://mazetx.com/careers/)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/maze-therapeutics)
5. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mazetx)

## Other roles at Maze Therapeutics

- [Senior Director, Information Technology](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-information-technology-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-gzknm40mvm03) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Manager, Chemical Development](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-chemical-development-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-8x7qw5qcxd7k) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Trial Master File Sr. Manager, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/trial-master-file-sr-manager-clinical-operations-maze-therapeutics-south-san-qyae6d13b97b) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Project Manager, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-project-manager-clinical-operations-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-tdcv9cmr2ey2) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Director, Clinical Business Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-business-operations-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-asppwh94sg0p) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Oversight Director, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/oversight-director-clinical-operations-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-qxwr1q6bq364) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Director, Medical Writing](https://feeny.ai/job/director-medical-writing-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-8ar22n6wfbe9) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Medical Director](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-medical-director-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-p9vqa6q3dn5f) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Director, Data Management](https://feeny.ai/job/director-data-management-maze-therapeutics-south-san-francisco-g2r1x3jr1v40) — South San Francisco, CA
- [Director, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-operations-vesalius-therapeutics-cambridge-yrx9wg8d798e) — Cambridge, MA