Program Team Leader (Senior Director)

About the role

The Program Team Leader (Sr. Director) is responsible for program strategy and achievement of development milestones from pre-IND/First-in-Human through clinical development and commercialization. This leader provides vision, scientific leadership, and strategic direction for a multidisciplinary Program Team, ensuring seamless progression of assets across early, mid, and late-stage development.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision and leadership for a multidisciplinary Program Team; accountable for overall team performance, program outcomes, and delivery of high-quality data packages to enable regulatory interactions and development milestones.
• Sets and drives global program strategy through development and execution of a comprehensive global Product Development Plan (gPDP) covering clinical, nonclinical, CMC, regulatory, and commercial considerations.
• Partners proactively with functional leaders to ensure appropriate resourcing, budgeting, scientific rigor, and operational execution to achieve program goals.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, and strategic thinking, enabling teams to meet or exceed milestones from early development through commercialization.
• Provides scientific and strategic direction to the team, including oversight of clinical strategy, study execution, data interpretation, and regulatory planning.
• Focuses team on high-impact activities, ensuring clear prioritization, timely decision-making, and effective issue escalation.
• Acts as the final decision-maker at the Program Team level, using sound judgment to resolve cross-functional challenges and quickly identify escalation pathways.
• Utilizes deep understanding of global drug development, clinical operations, and regulatory requirements to influence and guide strategic direction.
• Drives strategic discussions and recommendations with R&D Forum and Management Committee to secure alignment and approvals for major program decisions.
• Ensures creation and maintenance of integrated project plans, including timelines, budgets, risk registers, and scenario plans to support optimal program execution.
• Identifies, assesses, and mitigates program risks, ensuring contingency plans are in place and communicated effectively across stakeholders.
• Oversees development of clinical and regulatory strategies (including IND/CTA submissions, study design, NDA/MAA planning), ensuring strategic alignment and execution quality.
• Builds strong relationships with senior leaders, external partners, and internal stakeholders to optimize program outcomes.
• Learns by identifying and implementing best practices, process improvements, and innovative program management approaches.
• Represents the program at internal governance forums and external interactions as needed.

Requirements

• Typical Experience or Education: BS/BA degree in a life science AND 15+ years of multi-disciplinary experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Experience with both early and late phase pharmaceutical project management including IND/CTA, NDA/MAA submissions. Successful track record of managing complex cross-functional programs including knowledge of drug development process and inter-dependencies of key functions to include research, pharmaceutical development, non-clinical, clinical PK, metabolism, clinical research and manufacturing. Experience with drug development outside the US is desirable.
• OR Master's degree preferred AND 13+ years of similar experience noted.

Common Knowledge & Skills

• Acts as a "trusted advisor" across the company and may be recognized as an external expert.
• Provides strategy, vision and direction regarding issues that may have company-wide impact.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of the functional area, business strategies, and the company’s goals.
• Possesses industry-leading knowledge.
• Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels across the organization.
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development skills.
• Ability to drive consensus and decision-making.
• Proactive and innovative, with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a cross functional team and matrix environment.

Job Specific Knowledge & Qualifications

• Excellent team member with a strong willingness and ability to work across projects at different stages of development in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Recognized as an internal thought leader with extensive technical and business expertise within program management and drug development.
• In-depth understanding of early and late-phase pharmaceutical project management, including IND/CTA and NDA/MAA submissions.
• Advanced knowledge of the drug development process and inter-dependencies of key functions such as research, pharmaceutical development, non-clinical, clinical PK, metabolism, clinical research, manufacturing, commercial and medical affairs.

Benefits

• Annual base salary range: $218,700.00-$298,000.00.
• Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills.
• Annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary.
• Eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program.
• Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.