Senior Program Manager (Contract)

About the role

Umoja is seeking a solutions-oriented temporary Program Manager to lead the execution of development programs in a fast-paced biotech environment. This role will provide program and project management across the portfolio, with an emphasis on cross-functional coordination, IND-enabling activities, and regulatory submissions. The Program Manager will ensure that scope, timelines, risks, dependencies, and decisions are clearly defined, actively managed, and communicated. Working closely with scientific, clinical, CMC, regulatory, and technical operations partners, the Program Manager will translate development strategy into actionable plans, support submission readiness, and drive accountability for critical deliverables. The role may also support portfolio reporting, operational activities, and broader strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day program and project management for one or more development programs.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans covering IND‑enabling activities, key milestones, assumptions, dependencies, and critical path.
• Serve as the central point of coordination for assigned projects, driving alignment and execution across research, nonclinical, CMC, clinical, regulatory, and external partners.
• Facilitate effective program and project team meetings with clear agendas, decisions, action tracking, and follow‑through.
• Proactively identify and manage program risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Drive mitigation planning and escalate issues with clear framing of impact, options, and recommendations.
• Support program and portfolio‑level status reporting, milestone tracking, and communication to cross‑functional stakeholders as needed.
• Maintain high‑quality program documentation, including plans, action trackers, decision logs, and risk summaries.
• Support portfolio-level reporting, PPAS operations and broader strategic initiatives as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of program/project management experience in biotech or pharma leading cross‑functional development programs, specifically managing IND‑enabling execution and submission readiness
• Experience supporting first‑in‑human or early Phase 1 programs
• Experience supporting programs through preclinical development and entry into early clinical development
• The ability to manage complex timelines, cross‑functional dependencies, and risk in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence without authority

Preferred qualifications

• Masters, PhD or other advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, or related discipline
• PMP or equivalent program/project management certification
• Prior cell and gene therapy experience a plus
• Advanced computer skills and experience with MS office products
• Experience as a program manager in a growing or start‑up biotech organization
• Strong understanding of early drug development, including nonclinical, CMC, regulatory, and early clinical activities
• Experience working in GxP‑regulated environments

Physical requirements

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to be in person at office at least two days per week

Pay

Salary Range: $66.83 - $82.79/hour

Benefits

• Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• 401k plan through Fidelity with a 100% match up to the first 4% deferral
• Generous Paid Time Off policy
• Employee commuter benefits
• Cell phone stipend