Programme Manager

RBW Consulting; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotech start-up is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead an accelerated development programme through CMC and preclinical phases. The role involves overseeing multiple CROs, managing complex development timelines, and ensuring regulatory readiness. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in biotech or CRO environments, strong vendor management skills, and thrives in a remote-first setting. This full-time position offers flexibility in the working environment with occasional face-to-face meetings.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as a Programme / Project Manager in biotech or CRO environments.
• Proven experience coordinating CMC and/or preclinical development programmes.
• Experience managing complex development timelines and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and drive the integrated development plan.
• Lead operational cadence across internal teams and CROs.
• Manage interactions with CROs and oversee SOWs and budgets.
• Coordinate packages supporting IND-enabling activities.

Skills

Programme / Project Management

CRO / vendor management

Strong communication

Organizational discipline

Job description

Programme Manager

Location : Remote (UK) – occasional face-to-face meetings

Start : ASAP

Reports to : CEO

Status : Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead and coordinate an accelerated development programme through CMC, preclinical, and IND-enabling phases. This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-moving biotech start-up in its build phase, driving execution across multiple CROs and workstreams.

The role is remote , requiring a highly flexible, hands‑on approach and the ability to operate beyond rigid functional boundaries.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership

• Maintain and drive the integrated development plan (CMC → PK → tox → IND).
• Own critical path, dependencies, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Lead weekly operational cadence across internal teams and CROs.
• Adapt execution structure as the programme scales.

Vendor & CRO Management

• Manage interactions with CROs across CMC, enzyme engineering, PK / PD, and in‑vivo studies.
• Oversee SOWs, change orders, deliverables, budgets, and issue escalation.
• Ensure structured communication and alignment across all vendors.

CMC & Preclinical Coordination

• Coordinate execution across analytics, linker / payload activities, formulation strategy, biodistribution, PK studies, and GLP tox planning.

Timeline, Budget & Documentation

• Own Gantt charts, budget tracking, and deliverable logs.
• Ensure complete documentation and data‑room organisation.
• Prepare operational materials for investors, advisors, and Board.

Regulatory Readiness

• Coordinate packages and timelines supporting IND‑enabling activities.
• Liaise with regulatory consultants to ensure programme alignment.

Build‑Phase Flexibility

• Operate effectively in a lean, high‑intensity start‑up environment.
• Contribute to establishing processes, templates, and operational cadence.
• Comfortable working outside narrow functional boundaries when needed.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• 5+ years as a Programme / Project Manager in biotech or CRO environments.
• Proven experience coordinating CMC and / or preclinical development programmes.
• Strong CRO / vendor management across multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Experience managing complex development timelines and budgets.
• Familiarity with biologics / ADC / large molecule workflows.

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to ADCs or antibody‑based therapeutics.
• Experience in early‑stage or lean biotech settings.
• Contribution to IND‑enabling packages.

Personal Attributes

• Highly structured, delivery‑focused, and operationally rigorous.
• Independent, proactive, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Strong communicator with excellent organisational discipline.
• Thrives in a remote‑first, high‑accountability environment.

Ready to take ownership of a high‑impact development programme and help bring first‑in‑class therapeutics to patients?

Apply now by sending your CV today!