Associate Director, CDx Partnership Program Management

natera; San Carlos (AZ); Hybrid; USD 156,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Natera is seeking an Associate Director, CDx Partnership Program Management to lead a growing portfolio of CDx partnerships. This role requires deep experience across deal evaluation, structuring, and execution of CDx opportunities, with a senior program management perspective.

You will work across Business Development, Finance, and CDx development teams to ensure feasible, well-scoped programs, and will manage external partnerships, governance, and delivery at scale.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience with CDx pharmaceutical partnerships portfolio.
• Understanding of CDx/IVD development lifecycle and regulatory considerations.
• Experience evaluating scope, costing, budgeting, and deal feasibility.
• Experience working with pharmaceutical partners and senior stakeholders.
• Strong executive presence with cross-functional leadership.
• MBA or MS/PhD or equivalent preferred.
• PMP or equivalent program management certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior PM for pharmaceutical CDx partnerships and governance.
• Partner with Business Development to evaluate new CDx opportunities before deal execution.
• Manage external-facing program governance and partner relationships.
• Translate partner priorities into direction for internal teams.
• Maintain portfolio-level view across multiple partnerships and identify risks and opportunities.
• Align CDx Program Managers with external commitments and internal delivery.
• Identify gaps between expectations, scope, budget, and timelines.
• Establish scalable governance models and best practices.

Skills

CDx partnerships

Program management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Negotiation

Executive presence

Education

MBA

MS/PhD

Job description

Location: Hybrid in San Carlos, CA preferred but US Remote is considered

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Associate Director, CDx Partnership Program Management with a proven track record across a substantial portfolio of CDx pharmaceutical partnerships, ideally with 10+ CDx deals/programs successfully advanced from deal evaluation through execution and delivery.

This individual will serve as a senior Program Management leader across our growing portfolio of pharmaceutical CDx partnerships and bring the depth of experience and judgment needed to evaluate, structure, and operationalize complex CDx opportunities.

The role will work at the intersection of Program Management, Business Development, Finance, CDx development teams, and pharmaceutical partners; providing the programmatic and operational expertise needed to ensure potential deals are feasible, appropriately scoped and costed, and translated into executable programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior Program Management lead and trusted advisor for pharmaceutical CDx partnerships, bringing deep experience and judgment from managing a broad portfolio of complex CDx collaborations.
• Partner with Business Development to evaluate new CDx opportunities before deal execution, assessing feasibility, scope, timelines, resource requirements, risks, and cost to ensure proposed partnerships are operationally viable.
• Serve as a senior external-facing Program Management contact for pharmaceutical partners, building strong relationships and leading effective program governance and strategic discussions.
• Translate partner strategy, priorities, expectations, and commitments into clear direction and context for internal CDx Program Managers and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain a portfolio-level view across multiple pharma partnerships and CDx programs, identifying cross-program risks, resource needs, financial implications, and opportunities for improved planning.
• Partner closely with CDx Program Managers who own detailed development planning and execution, ensuring alignment between external commitments and internal delivery.
• Identify and elevate gaps between partner expectations, contractual scope, budget, timelines, and development realities before they impact the partnership or program.
• Help establish scalable frameworks, governance models, and best practices to support continued growth of the CDx pharma partnership portfolio.

Qualifications

• Extensive, hands-on experience across a substantial portfolio of CDx pharmaceutical partnerships, ideally with 10+ CDx deals/programs successfully advanced from deal evaluation through execution and delivery.
• Deep understanding of the CDx/IVD development lifecycle and the activities, timelines, regulatory considerations, resources, and costs required to develop and deliver a companion diagnostic.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and operationalizing new CDx opportunities, including scope, costing, budgeting, resource planning, and deal feasibility assessment.
• Significant experience working directly with pharmaceutical partners and senior/executive stakeholders in complex, high-visibility partnerships.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, challenge assumptions, navigate difficult partner discussions and advise senior internal and external leaders.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, relationship-management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Advanced degree such as an MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent in life sciences, business, engineering, or a related field preferred.
• PMP certification or equivalent program management certification preferred.

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera's robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long-term equity awards
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range $155,700 - $194,600 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women's health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you'll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the indu