Candidate Program Manager (UK)

UCB S.A.; Slough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB S.A., a leading global biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a Candidate Program Manager for Drug Development Projects in their Slough office. The successful candidate will lead complex, cross-functional projects, driving the development of programs from early research to proof of concept. This role requires strong operational discipline, excellent communication skills, and a strategic mindset.

Benefits

Caring and supportive culture

Opportunities for growth and development

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project/program management, ideally in pharmaceutical.
• Solid understanding of drug development and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic goals into operational roadmaps.
• Drive delivery of program outcomes by managing timelines and priorities.
• Ensure clear communication of program status to leadership.

Skills

Project Management

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Postgraduate qualification (MSc, PhD, MBA)

Tools

Agile

PRINCE2

PMP

Job description

Make your mark for patients

We are looking foraCandidate Program Manager– Drug Development Projectswho isstrategic, solution-oriented, and collaborativeto join ourGlobal Program Management team, based in ourSlough office in UK.

About the role

You will be working in a team that brings candidate programs to life — from early research to proof of concept — by leading complex, cross-functional projects that contribute to better outcomes for patients. Your mission is to guide programs through development with strong operational discipline, clear stakeholder alignment, and proactive risk management.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll partner closely with candidate leads, functional experts, and cross-functional teams across development, regulatory, medical, manufacturing, and access. You’ll also be an active member of the broader Program Management community, where sharing knowledge and mentoring others is highly valued.

What you’ll do

• Translate strategic goals into clear operational roadmaps, including scope, timelines, and cost scenarios.
• Drive delivery of program outcomes by managing timelines, priorities, and removing execution barriers.
• Anticipate risks, resolve issues, and track program performance with transparency and focus.
• Ensure clear communication of program status to leadership and stakeholders, supporting informed decision-making.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture by facilitating meetings, knowledge sharing, and onboarding.
• Apply and promote best practices in program management, including agile methodologies where relevant.

Interested? For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills:

• Postgraduate qualification preferred in a relevant field (e.g. MSc, PhD, MBA)
• Certification in program or project management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum)
• 5+ years of experience in project/program management, ideally in the pharmaceutical industry
• Strong track record working across global, cross-functional teams and complex program lifecycles
• Solid understanding of drug development and stakeholder management in a regulated environment
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and critical decision-making skills

Why you should apply

At UCB, we strive to attract passionate and outstanding talents who thrive on change and are ready to bring real value to patients. Working for us you’ll discover a place where you can grow and express your full potential. We place an emphasis on innovation, collaboration and impact. Through meaningful recognition and a motivating work atmosphere, we aim to provide an optimal experience by caring about and valuing our employees – just as we do for the patients we serve.

If you believe you are the perfect match to join us on our pioneering adventure, then we invite you to apply and tell us more about your profile and motivation.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About us
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 8,500 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.