Associate Director, CMC Project Management

Xeris Pharmaceuticals Inc; Georgia; Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Equity or long-term incentive awards

Quarterly commission (Field Sales)

Job summary

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking an Associate Director, CMC Project Management to lead the operational execution of CMC activities for the XP-8121 development program.

Based in Chicago, this hybrid role partners with the CMC lead and the PDTO team to drive plans and manage external manufacturing partners. Responsibilities include developing integrated project plans, proactively tracking timelines and budgets, coordinating risk management, and ensuring alignment across clinical development,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related life sciences.
• 7+ years in CMC project management or 7+ years combining PM and CMC execution on Phase 3 programs.
• Background in a CMC discipline and/or PM experience with all CMC disciplines is preferred.
• Strong skills with Adobe and Microsoft Office Suite; proficient in PM software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed, integrated CMC project plans for all CMC activities.
• Proactively track progress against timelines and manage critical path.
• Monitor scope, budget, and resources with status reports to stakeholders.
• Coordinate CMC risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Organize cross-functional team meetings and drive alignment on timelines and decisions.
• Support PDTO budget management and resource planning.
• Promote standardized PM tools and continuous improvement.

Skills

Adobe & MS Office

PM software

Asana

Monday.com

Smartsheet

MS Project

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or life sciences

Tools

Asana

Monday.com

Smartsheet

MS Project

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director, CMC Project Management is a dedicated project management expert supporting the Product Development/Technical Operations “PDTO” function for the XP-8121 development program. This role partners directly with the CMC lead to drive the operational execution of all CMC related activities for the XP-8121 program. The role is responsible for developing and maintaining detailed project plans for all drug substance, drug product, device, and analytical development workstreams. This individual will ensure that all CMC milestones for the 8121 program are met on time and within budget to support broader program goals, with a heavy focus on managing and coordinating external manufacturing partners. This role provides the essential project management structure that allows CMC technical experts to focus on scientific and engineering challenges.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed, integrated project plans for all CMC activities, including process development, scale‑up, validation, stability studies, and clinical trial material and supply.
• Proactively track progress against established timelines, identify and manage the critical path, and ensure that deliverables from all functions are completed on schedule.
• Monitor project scope, budget, and resources, providing timeline and comprehensive status reports to key stakeholders.
• In partnership with the PDTO team, maintain the CMC risk management plan.
• Proactively identify CMC risks, facilitate the development of mitigation strategies, and implement approved action plans, escalating significant risks as appropriate.
• Organize and facilitate cross‑functional team meetings, ensuring a focus on clear objectives, actions, and decisions.
• Serve as a central point of communication for the PDTO team, ensuring all members are aligned on timelines, priorities, and interdependencies.
• Support the PDTO lead in managing the PDTO budget.
• Assist team members with resource planning and identify potential budget variances.
• Implement and champion the use of standardized project management tools and methodologies to drive efficiency and consistency in program execution.
• Continually improve project management execution to establish best practices at Xeris.
• Act as an organization‑wide resource to coach others who take on project management duties on projects where a project manager cannot be assigned.
• Build productive and positive relationships across the organization by enabling responsibility at all levels to drive influence and timely decisions as attributed to effective and efficient project management.
• Elevate issues for perspective only where possible and for decisions either strategic or critical to the company.
• Build consensus to drive to the best decision possible in a reasonable timeframe among cross‑functional teams.
• Influence decision making with leadership audiences by providing timely analysis and options.
• Organize and prioritise critical issues and strategic communications for senior management to facilitate efficient decision making.
• Perform other duties and projects as needed.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, or other related life sciences
• Minimum of 7+ years in CMC project management or 7+ years combining project management and CMC execution on Phase 3 development programs
• Background in a CMC discipline and/or project management experience with all CMC disciplines is preferred
• Strong skills and experience with Adobe and Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Proficient in project management software such as Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or MS Project
• Broad business understanding and a good awareness of specific industry sectors
• Understanding of the drug development process and the interdependencies of key functions, including clinical development, CMC/PDTO, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and commercial

Competencies

• Verbal and Written Communication skills
• Proofreading
• Editing
• Interpersonal skills
• Adaptability
• Organizational skills
• Problem Solving
• Cross‑Functional
• Matrix Management
• Conflict Management
• Leadership

Working Conditions

Position may require periodic evening and weekend work, as necessary to fulfill obligations. Infrequent overnight travel may occur. This is a hybrid role based in Xeris’ Chicago office and requires a minimum of three days per week in the office. On‑site requirement may change at management’s discretion.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $155,200 - $232,800. #LI-HYBRID

Benefits

• Paid time off benefits
• Varied health, vision, and dental insurance options
• 401(k) retirement benefits
• Equity or long‑term incentive awards, where applicable
• Field Sales role employees are eligible for a quarterly commission structure
• Non‑Sales role employees are eligible for an annual bonus

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are given equal opportunity and the Company’s employment selection decisions are based solely on job‑related factors.

Xeris participates in E-Verify.