Overview
The Senior Director of Program Management provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple development programs and/or a portfolio of assets, driving alignment between Research, Development, Business Strategy, Manufacturing, and execution. This role has enterprise-level impact on initiating new indications, pipeline prioritization, and long-range value creation from early development through regulatory approval.
The Senior Director serves as the primary point of contact for key programs to executive leadership, ensures disciplined program governance, and strengthens the Program Management function as the organization scales. This position reports to the VP, Program Management and may have people leadership responsibility.
Role and Responsibilities
Strategic Program & Portfolio Leadership
- Manage multiple programs or a therapeutic portfolio to maximize pipeline
- Partner with executive leadership on program, indication, and portfolio strategy, including prioritization and sequencing
- Define and oversee major milestones, decision points, objectives, and inflection points across programs
- Lead scenario planning, trade-off analyses, and decision frameworks to support executive decision-making
- Ensure alignment across Development, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Corporate Strategy
Cross-Functional & Executive Leadership
- Lead and integrate complex cross-functional workstreams across Research, Development, Regulatory, and Manufacturing
- Facilitate effective decision-making and accountability across global teams and external partners
- Present clear insights, recommendations, and program status to C-suite and senior leadership
- Mentor and develop Program Management leaders and strengthen organizational capability
Program Execution & Governance
- Oversee end-to-end program execution, including activation of new indications post-Go decision
- Ensure consistent application of program management standards, dashboards, and governance models
- Chair timely, efficient, and action-oriented team meetings to coordinate operations and communications.
- Review and validate integrated program plans, timelines, and metrics for accuracy and strategic alignment
- Represent Program Management on senior governance forums and key internal or external teams
Timelines & Scenario Planning
- Oversee integrated, cross-program timelines aligned with enterprise goals
- Partner with functional leaders on budgets and forecast planning
- Lead portfolio-level scenario and contingency planning to support strategic agility
- Ensure data integrity and transparency in executive reporting
Risk, Opportunity & Continuous Improvement
- Identify and manage program- and portfolio-level risks and mitigation strategies
- Communicate risks, opportunities, and trade-off s clearly to executive leadership
- Drive continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and operating models
- Lead strategic initiatives to mature the Program Management function as the company grows
- All other duties as assigned
Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge
- Bachelor's degree and minimum 15 years of relevant project management/scientific experience within the pharmaceutical industry; OR a MS or MBA and minimal 12 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a scientific field or a PharmD, DVM or MD degree with 7+ years of relevant experience
- 12-15+ years of pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience with progressive responsibility in program or portfolio management
- Extensive pharmaceutical drug development experience required;
- Prior solid tumor oncology experience, including late-stage development and registrational trials, required
- Demonstrated success leading complex, global, cross-functional programs and influencing senior executives
- Experience managing alliances and external partners strongly preferred
- Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution
- Exceptional communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
- Strong proficiency in program management and planning tools (e.g., MS Office, Project, Smartsheet)
- Willing to travel for key meetings.