VP, Program & Portfolio Management

Role Summary

The VP of Program & Portfolio Management leads the execution of the company’s clinical development programs from early research through pivotal trials and toward regulatory approval and commercialization. The role provides enterprise-level strategic decision support by coordinating the interface between program and project leads and the Executive Team, reporting to the CFO. The VP will build, lead, and optimize cross-functional teams to ensure programs align with corporate objectives, timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate combines deep biotech/pharma program and portfolio management expertise with strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and pragmatic execution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, in partnership with the Executive Team, the ongoing development and assessment of Wave’s R&D portfolio and platform initiatives.
• Ensure individual program strategies, including their financial, operational, and business considerations, are aligned with Wave’s corporate strategy and that key program and platform information and implications are effectively and appropriately communicated to the Executive Team and the Board.
• Lead and oversee, in partnership with key stakeholders, the identification and assessment of:
  • Potentially new targets with an eye towards ways in which Wave’s platform can provide a unique advantage
  • Key research, discovery and/or CMC initiatives and projects that strengthen and inform Wave’s platform
• Interface with Corporate Development to identify opportunities within the portfolio and/or platform to support current and future partnerships.
• Partner with Corporate Communications and Investor Relations to enable impactful communication of relevant milestones and data.
• Develop and facilitate processes and provide leadership and coaching to ensure global program leaders and managers provide effective leadership to program, platform, and CMC teams.
• Lead a team of program and project managers who build and drive high-performing program/platform teams through clear designation of team roles & responsibilities, development of integrated research and development program plans and coordination of efforts in alignment with Wave’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of tools and processes to manage Wave’s portfolio of programs.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in life sciences, biomedical engineering, or related field; MBA or other business qualification a plus.
• Required: Minimum of 15 years progressive experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences, with at least 7 years in program/project management leadership roles.
• Required: Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programs through all phases of drug discovery, development, and/or commercialization.
• Required: Demonstrated enterprise and team leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills including the ability to influence without authority when needed.
• Required: Exceptional organizational, planning, and execution skills, with a track record of delivering on high-stakes deadlines with exceptional attention to detail.
• Required: Skilled in project management methods, tools, and reporting.
• Required: Outstanding problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation abilities.
• Required: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentation and reporting.
• Required: Strong familiarity with regulatory, clinical, and commercial dynamics in the biotech industry.

Skills

• Program and portfolio management leadership across R&D programs in biotech/pharma
• Cross-functional team leadership and stakeholder management
• Strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, and resource allocation
• Executive-level communication and presentation
• Regulatory and clinical development knowledge
• Data-driven decision making and metrics reporting
• Change management and process improvement

Education

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) preferred; MBA or other business qualification a plus.