Strive to Bring a Profound Difference to our Patients

At Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients.

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships.

Avidity’s work is grounded in its BeAVID values - Agile, Visionary, Integrated and Diverse. These values are inherent to all aspects of how employees get things done and work together. The company recognizes that the success of the business depends on the excellence of its people. The current team is made up of agile innovators, creators, and discoverers that built the AOC science from the ground up. Their work is blazing a new trail in oligonucleotide-based therapies to revolutionize RNA therapeutics and challenge the status quo. Avidity is continuing to build a team of diverse individuals who are intellectually curious, disciplined, and driven to support the patients that it serves.   

Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Information Technology is a critical leadership position at Avidity.  They are responsible for developing and leading the implementation of our corporate technology strategy.  They will provide strategic direction and ownership for the application of technology to our business and apply the latest tools to the management of IT infrastructure and data management.

What You Will Contribute

• Build and lead a customer-focused IT team with appropriate membership for Avidity’s size and strategy.  Recruit and develop industry-leading IT talent.
• Lead strategic initiatives to align IT functions with Avidity’s BeAVID values, fostering an agile and visionary approach to technology management.
• Drive integrated solutions that leverage diverse perspectives, ensuring IT infrastructure supports organizational goals with innovation and inclusivity.
• Contribute actively to Avidity’s corporate strategy and align IT investment accordingly.  Balance the use of internal and external resources and partners appropriately.
• Investigate and integrate innovative technologies into Avidity including machine learning and AI.
• Oversee security of systems, networks, and enterprise information.
• Provide strategic direction for, and oversee, a robust cybersecurity program internally and work with our external partners to ensure compliance with global security and privacy standards.
• Ensure all IT controls are designed to ensure SOX compliance.  Oversee IT audits and report to audit committee as needed.
• Create and manage a multi-year IT budget and resource plan.
• Partner with all internal business leaders to ensure alignment between IT and business growth.  Prioritize all IT investments in support of the company’s operating plan and return on investment.
• Advise key functions across R&D, Commercial and G&A. Provide technical and strategic direction to identify and address business issues and opportunities that can be enhanced with technology.
• Identify gaps and provide technical expertise in business requirements for system functional specifications and scale new and current systems, processes and procedures to meet business requirements.
• Assess and standardize business data management needs across the organization. 
• Develop and implement business continuity protocols to minimize disruption to business operations in emergencies or data loss. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What We Seek

To perform this role successfully, an incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The preferred requirements listed below are representative of the skills, knowledge, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field or work experience
• Minimum of 15-20 years of experience working in IT services or security, supervising technology teams, and overseeing large information technology projects
• Minimum of 15 years of management experience including experience in cyber security, and artificial intelligence
• Excellent understanding of computer systems, security, network and systems administration, databases and data storage systems, and telecommunications systems
• Experience with enterprise-level Microsoft systems including Office 365 and Dynamics 365
• Experience with compliance and risk management, including internal and external audit and regulated areas such as SOX, GxP
• Experience supporting a fully integrated biotechnology organization including commercial and medical affairs functions
• Working knowledge of AI and its applications in biotechnology and drug development
• Experience leading an information technology team globally, and supporting multiple remote and office-based locations
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical issues and requirements to non-technical people and executives
• Excellent leadership and decision-making skills

What We will Provide to You:

·          The base salary range for this role is $288,000 - $319,000. The final compensation and title will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors.

·          Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits which includes the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options and RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off.

·          A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.