Senior Program Manager R&D

Lonza Group; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lonza Group invites you to join its Integrated Biologics R&D team in the UK as a Senior Program Manager or Program Manager. You will lead cross-functional programs, partnering with scientific, technical and commercial teams to deliver projects from concept through execution.

This office-first role offers in-person collaboration with optional remote work up to 20% of time. You will influence governance, risk management and strategic decisions across R&D, technical, regulatory and commercial

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex programs or projects in life sciences or biotechnology.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong project management expertise including governance, planning, risk management and delivery.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with technical and business audiences.
• A Life Sciences degree; postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• PMP certification or comparable qualification desirable.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional programs ensuring scope, timelines and quality.
• Build strong relationships across R&D, technical, commercial and regulatory teams.
• Drive program governance, risk management and decision-making.
• Represent stakeholder interests, balancing business priorities and project objectives.
• Motivate and influence multidisciplinary teams in a matrix environment.
• Support onboarding and development by sharing project management expertise.
• Maintain high standards of project data quality and alignment with global PM Excellence standards.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Life Sciences degree

Postgraduate qualification advantageous

PMP certification desirable

Job description

Cambridge or Slough, United Kingdom

Join Lonza's Integrated Biologics R&D team and play a key role in bringing innovative therapies closer to patients. As a Senior Program Manager or Program Manager, you will lead complex, cross-functional programs, building strong partnerships across scientific, technical and commercial teams to ensure projects are delivered successfully from concept through execution.

This is an office-first role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and team alignment, enabling us to deliver our best work. You will work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely for 20% of your time (one day per week).

What you will get

An agile career with opportunities to work on innovative biologics programs

A collaborative, inclusive and ethical working environment

The opportunity to influence high-impact projects that help deliver medicines to patients worldwide

Competitive compensation and recognition for high performance

A comprehensive benefits package tailored to your location

Ongoing professional development and opportunities to share best practices across global teams

Lead complex cross-functional programs, ensuring delivery against agreed scope, timelines and quality expectations

Build strong relationships across R&D, technical, commercial and regulatory teams, acting as the central point of coordination

Drive effective project governance, risk management and decision-making throughout the program lifecycle

Represent stakeholder interests while balancing business priorities and project objectives

Motivate and influence multidisciplinary teams in a matrix environment to achieve shared goals

Support the onboarding and development of colleagues by sharing project management expertise and best practices

Maintain high standards of project data quality and ensure alignment with global Program and Project Management Centre of Excellence standards

What we are looking for

Significant experience managing complex programs or projects within life sciences, biotechnology or a related technical environment

Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority

Strong project management expertise, including governance, planning, risk management and delivery

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage technical and business audiences

A degree in Life Sciences or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience is advantageous

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or a comparable qualification is desirable

A collaborative mindset, critical thinking skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you're ready to help turn our customers' breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.