Senior Program Manager R&D

Lonza; Slough; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile career

Collaborative culture

Impact projects

Competitive pay

Location benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Lonza is seeking a Senior Program Manager or Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional programs in biologics R&D from concept through execution. You will collaborate with R&D, technical, regulatory and commercial teams in Cambridge or Slough, UK, with an office-first approach and the option to work remotely up to 20% of time.

This role offers the chance to influence high-impact projects, advance governance, and contribute to patient-focused therapies within a globally connected Lonza

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

Senior Program Manager & Program Manager

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

The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What You Will Do

• 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.

Reference: R79349