Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company pioneering targeted therapies for polygenic diseases, with an initial focus on ophthalmology. At the core of Character Bio’s approach is a world-class, patient data platform that integrates genomics with deep, longitudinal clinical and imaging data. Character’s interdisciplinary team - spanning human genetics, clinical science, data science & engineering, and drug discovery and development - leverages the company’s platform to uncover genetic drivers of disease progression, advance novel therapeutics, and define patient stratification strategies to enhance clinical success. The company is currently advancing two programs in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with additional programs in earlier stages of discovery research.

As Head of Clinical Network and Longitudinal Research, you will lead the development of Character Bio’s provider and patient network, a critical foundation for both our observational research and interventional trials. You will also oversee the design and execution of longitudinal clinical studies that generate high-quality, real-world data that form the basis of our Clinical Data Platform and power the discovery of novel, targeted therapies.

In this cross-functional leadership role, you will directly manage Character’s Patient Engagement and Provider Partnering teams to conduct observational research, while collaborating closely with colleagues across Clinical Science, Data Science & Engineering, and Clinical Trial Operations. Your mandate is to ensure operational excellence, foster deep community partnerships, and drive integration between observational research and interventional trial readiness – ultimately enhancing the company’s ability to reach and impact patients faster.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic, execution-oriented leader who thrives at the intersection of science, operations, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate brings a passion for patient-centered research, a track record of building scalable research infrastructure, and a commitment to generating inclusive, high-quality patient datasets. Your leadership will help unlock precision medicine for complex polygenic diseases and shape the trajectory of Character’s therapeutic programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and expand Character’s national network of clinical providers, research sites, and patient communities to support both observational and interventional research.
• Oversee the design, development, and execution of multi-site observational studies with input from Clinical Science, Human Genetics, Data Science & Engineering, and Drug Discovery & Development.
• Drive strategies to continuously optimize site activation, provider and patient engagement, and study participant enrollment and retention.
• Monitor and mitigate operational risks by driving data-informed enrollment forecasts, maintaining clear programs dashboards, and managing key performance indicators.
• Develop and implement standardized workflows and SOPs to ensure operational consistency, quality, and scalability.
• Ensure the completeness and quality of longitudinal data collection to enable the creation of analysis-ready datasets in conjunction with Data Science & Engineering team.
• Partner with internal Engineering team and external vendors to deploy technical solutions that enhance efficiency or performance across study operations.
• Collaborate closely with the interventional trials team to ensure observational research informs interventional trial design, supports site selection, and accelerates patient enrollment.
• Lead budgeting, resource planning, and vendor management across observational research programs.
• Retain, recruit, inspire, and manage multidisciplinary Patient Engagement and Provider Partnering teams as the company continues to grow.
• Represent the clinical data platform to external constituencies including investors, partners, regulators, and the biotech industry at large.
  
  

Key Qualifications:

• We are seeking an experienced leader with a background in clinical operations, provider partnering or liaison, or commercial - ideally from biopharma, health tech, or medical devices sectors. A strong foundation in epidemiology, clinical trials, and clinical data management (e.g., claims, EMR, registries, biobanks) is highly desirable.
• Equally important is the ability to lead with vision and adaptability. A proven team builder and people manager, this person must be able to shift seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution, including resolving complex and time-sensitive operational challenges.
• The ideal candidate will bring the credibility, presence, and communication skills to serve as a trusted leader - capable of translating scientific needs and patient/provider insights into robust decisions and execution plans.
• On a personal level, we’re looking for someone who is confident, innovative, and energized by the opportunity to build in a dynamic startup setting.
• They must possess the humility to listen, the conviction to lead, and the stamina to push initiatives forward and navigate cross-functional priorities in a resource-constrained setting.
• A successful candidate will align with the company’s core values of integrity, individual accountability, team camaraderie, open communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.