Associate Director/Director, Regulatory Affairs CMC

Base Salary: $180,000- $234,000

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Core hours: Eastern or Central Time

Why Work With Us

At Candel, our people drive our success. We value diversity, collaboration, and bold thinking in a supportive, mission-driven environment. We are a high-performing team that shows up for each other and stays 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.

Our Science: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies

Candel is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing off-the-shelf, multimodal immunotherapies that stimulate personalized, systemic anti-tumor responses. Our platforms use genetically modified adenovirus and HSV constructs. With positive Phase 3 results for our lead candidate, it’s an exciting time to join us and help bring transformative cancer treatments to patients. Learn more:

Position Summary

The Associate Director/Director, Regulatory Affairs CMC will serve as the CMC regulatory lead for one or more viral vector-based gene therapy programs across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development through clinical trials, marketing application (BLA/MAA), and post-approval lifecycle management. This individual, in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, will develop and execute global CMC regulatory strategies, author and review CMC sections of regulatory submissions, and serve as a key liaison with health authorities on manufacturing, analytical, and quality matters.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in the CMC regulatory landscape for biological products, ideally with hands-on experience in viral vector-based gene therapies (adenovirus, AAV, or other modalities). This role requires the ability to navigate evolving regulatory expectations and to translate complex manufacturing and analytical challenges into sound regulatory strategy.

What You’ll Do

CMC Regulatory Strategy & Submissions

· Develop and execute phase-appropriate global CMC regulatory strategies for assigned viral vector-based gene therapy programs, ensuring alignment with FDA, EMA, and ICH expectations.

· Lead preparation, review, and submission of CMC sections for INDs/IMPDs, CTAs, BLAs/MAAs, annual reports, supplements, variations, and health authority responses.

· Provide strategic CMC regulatory input to product development plans, including manufacturing process changes, analytical method development, and comparability assessments.

Health Authority Interactions

· Serve as CMC regulatory representative in health authority meetings (Pre-IND, Type A/B/C, Scientific Advice, PLI readiness).

· Prepare CMC module sections, briefing documents, meeting requests, and responses to information requests or clinical holds related to CMC issues.

· Monitor and interpret evolving regulatory guidance relevant to viral vector-based gene therapies, including empty/full capsid characterization, potency assay strategies, and process validation expectations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Partner with manufacturing, analytical development, quality, research, biostatistics and clinical teams to ensure regulatory alignment across CMC activities.

· Collaborate with CDMO partners and external regulatory consultants on CMC regulatory deliverables and strategy.

· Support due diligence activities for business development and in-licensing opportunities, assessing CMC regulatory risk and readiness.

Regulatory Intelligence & Compliance

· Maintain current knowledge of global CMC regulatory requirements for gene therapy products, including ICH guidelines (Q5A–Q14), FDA CBER guidance, EMA ATMPs framework, and Ph. Eur. chapters.

· Proactively identify regulatory risks and develop mitigation strategies for CMC-related issues such as comparability, low endotoxin recovery (LER), release testing strategy, and supply chain compliance.

· Contribute to internal SOPs, regulatory process improvements, and best practices for CMC regulatory operations.

What You’ll Bring

Education:

· Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering) is required.

Minimum Experience:

· 8+ years of progressive experience in regulatory affairs within the biopharmaceutical industry, with a minimum of 5 years focused on CMC regulatory.

· At least 3 years of direct experience with biologics (cell and/or gene therapy products and viral vector-based preferred).

· Demonstrated track record of authoring and submitting CMC sections of INDs, CTAs, BLAs/MAAs, or equivalent regulatory filings.

· Experience interacting with FDA (CBER/OTP preferred), EMA, or other major health authorities on CMC matters.

· Working knowledge of cGMP manufacturing for viral vectors, including upstream/downstream processing, analytical characterization, and release testing.

Additional Preferences:

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific and regulatory concepts clearly and concisely.

· Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

· Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

· Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

· Proven collaboration with manufacturing, analytical development, quality, research,

biostatistics and clinical teams; consistent milestone and risk tracking with timely issue resolution

· Ability to work core Eastern or Central U.S. hours (remote, U.S.-based)

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. We are unable to provide, assume, or sponsor work visas or employment authorization for this role now or in the future.