This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director, Program Management based in the United States.
This senior leadership role is responsible for driving end-to-end program execution across complex, global drug development initiatives in rare disease. The position serves as the central orchestration point across clinical, regulatory, commercial, manufacturing, and medical functions, ensuring alignment from early development through commercialization. The Senior Director will partner closely with program leadership and cross-functional strategy teams to define integrated plans, manage governance, and enable high-quality decision-making across the portfolio. The role is highly influential in shaping timelines, budgets, risk frameworks, and execution strategies for late-stage development programs. It also plays a key role in alliance and partnership management, ensuring strong coordination and communication with external collaborators. This is a fast-paced, matrixed environment requiring strong leadership, precision, and the ability to bring structure to highly complex, global initiatives.
Accountabilities:
- Lead cross-functional program planning and execution across clinical, regulatory, commercial, access, manufacturing, medical, and nonclinical functions throughout the full product lifecycle.
- Facilitate and lead program strategy and governance meetings, including agenda setting, decision framing, documentation, and accountability tracking.
- Develop, maintain, and continuously optimize integrated program plans, including timelines, budgets, critical paths, interdependencies, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Drive governance processes by identifying appropriate decision forums and ensuring leadership is equipped with decision-ready materials.
- Partner with Program Leadership and Alliance Management to ensure alignment, communication, and effective governance with external partners, including international collaborators.
- Oversee program risk management, proactively identifying issues and implementing mitigation strategies to protect timelines and milestones.
- Partner with Finance on program budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation to ensure financial alignment and executive approval processes.
- Promote strong cross-functional alignment, transparency, and accountability to ensure successful delivery of development and commercialization objectives.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within program management processes and organizational operating models.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a related field; Master’s degree preferred or equivalent relevant experience.
- 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech development, including significant exposure to late-stage or global drug development programs.
- 5+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional program or project management in a matrixed environment.
- Strong understanding of drug development processes, including regulatory pathways (NDA/MAA) and submission support activities.
- Proven experience managing integrated development plans, timelines, budgets, and critical path analysis in complex programs.
- Experience working in alliance or partnership-based environments, preferably including collaboration with Asia-based partners.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills with the ability to drive alignment across diverse, global stakeholders.
- Excellent facilitation, communication, and decision-management skills in cross-functional settings.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Proficiency with project management tools and standard productivity software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet).
- Ability to operate with agility, adaptability, and strong execution focus in complex organizational structures.
Benefits:
- Competitive executive compensation package including base salary, annual incentive bonus, and long-term equity awards.
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
- Retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions.
- Generous paid time off and flexible work-life balance offerings.
- Life, disability, and financial protection benefits.
- Employee wellness programs and support resources.
- Opportunity to lead high-impact global development programs in rare disease therapeutics.
- Strong professional development environment within a mission-driven organization.