Associate Director/Director, R&D Program Management Lead

Role Summary

The Director, R&D Program Management Lead will oversee the successful implementation of research and development programs within a biotech company, focusing on strategic planning and cross-functional coordination to progress clinical-stage FASN inhibitors through development. The role requires extensive drug development knowledge to establish and manage ambitious timelines across functions in a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a background in program management for small molecule drug development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project leaders to develop and implement strategic plans
• Establish and maintain integrated project timelines for R&D programs, aligning them with the company's overall objectives
• Create agendas and lead development team meetings
• Provide regular updates on development program status; serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders across functional areas
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure program success
• Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring adherence to financial targets
• Promote a culture of innovation, encouraging exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance R&D capabilities and performance
• Support projects and meetings with external audiences including regulatory authorities, advisory boards and collaborators
• Oversee and mentor junior team members as appropriate
• Collaborate with team members to support scientific review of contracts, management of vendors, and document management
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration)
• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in clinical stage R&D program management or a related field within the biotech industry
• Proven track record of managing complex cross-functional projects, ideally experience in small molecule drug development from pre-IND to regulatory approval stage

Skills

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and team management skills
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance standards for small molecule drug development
• Proficiency in project management software and tools
• Ability to think strategically and drive innovation
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, high attention to detail and high-quality work

Education

• As listed in Qualifications

Additional Requirements

• The preference is for a local candidate, though others will be considered