Associate Director, Global Program Management- Cell Therapy (Hybrid- Brisbane, CA)

Stage 4 Solutions, Inc.; Brisbane (CA); Hybrid; USD 291,000 - 308,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K

Onsite in Brisbane

Job summary

Stage 4 Solutions, Inc. seeks an Associate Director, Global Program Management Cell Therapy in a hybrid Brisbane, CA role. The PM will lead one or more GPTs, coordinating cross-functional teams, timelines, and budgets for early and late-stage development. This is a 40-hour week contract with 50% onsite work, benefits, and a W2 arrangement.

The role emphasizes governance, risk management, and collaboration with GPL/GPT teams to drive execution and program success.

Qualifications

• Experience in cell therapy development programs.
• 10+ years in biotech/pharma drug development.
• Proven project/portfolio management with cross-functional teams.
• Strong governance and executive presentation skills.
• PMP certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support or lead workstreams for late-stage GPTs with guidance from a Senior PM.
• Develop and manage integrated cross-functional development plans, timelines and budgets.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Coordinate resource and budget planning across functions.
• Coach teams to drive operational excellence and accountability.
• Lead governance discussions and ensure cross-functional input.
• Collaborate with strategic partners and drive portfolio value.

Skills

Cell Therapy development

Drug development

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

GxP

Governance

Education

PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Associate Director, Global Program Management Cell Therapy (Hybrid- Brisbane, CA)

We are seeking an Associate Director, Global Program Management Cell Therapy for a global pharmaceutical client. At the Associate Director level, the Project Manager (PM) is accountable for one or more Global Program Teams (GPTs) and associated sub-teams of moderate complexity within the early and late-stage development space and is expected to operate independently in day-to-day activities.

This is a 40-hour per week, 12-month contract (extensions possible), 50% onsite role at the client s office in Brisbane, CA. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri Standard Hours

This is a W2 role as a Stage 4 Solutions employee. Health benefits and 401K are offered.

Responsibilities

• May serve as part of a PM team supporting workstreams for large, highly complex late-stage GPTs under the guidance of a Senior PM.
• Creates and maintains integrated cross-functional development plans, timelines, and budgets for assigned programs, ensuring progress remains aligned with established objectives.
• Facilitates effective, science-based business decision-making by developing and evaluating multiple development scenarios and options as needed, while identifying interdependencies and downstream impacts on timelines, budgets, and strategic objectives.
• Proactively identifies project risks and ensures mitigation plans are developed and implemented.
• Maintains transparent and timely communication with project teams and key stakeholders.
• Partners with the Global Program Lead (GPL) to foster high-performing teams, monitor team effectiveness, and establish team norms and operating principles that promote cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
• Coordinates resource and budget planning across functions to ensure appropriate support for project needs and highlights changes or constraints as necessary.
• Advises teams on governance requirements and prepares for key decision-making discussions, ensuring diverse cross-functional perspectives are considered.
• Collaborates closely with strategic alliance partners on jointly developed programs.
• Coaches project team members and PM colleagues to drive operational excellence, accountability, and talent development.
• Acts as a change agent by supporting continuous improvement initiatives and transformational efforts within the Project Management function.
• Role Within the Team: The Associate Director will serve as the Lead Project Manager on assigned assets.
• Partners closely with the Global Program Lead (GPL) and Global Program Team (GPT) to lead sub-teams and drive the development of integrated, efficient, and cross-functional execution plans.
• Coordinates and plans GPT activities, including milestone development, budget forecasting, resource planning, scenario planning, and the creation of integrated program plans based on cross-functional inputs and assumptions.
• Facilitates team goal setting and performance tracking to ensure alignment with strategy and support year-end evaluation processes.
• Manages GPTs for early-stage assets and oversees GPT sub-teams as appropriate to track deliverables and prepare teams for governance interactions at key program milestones.
• Leads integrated cross-functional planning efforts by aligning diverse functional strategies, defining operational approaches, managing timelines and budgets, and assessing and mitigating risks.
• Operates independently to provide best-in-class project management expertise and drive execution excellence across GPTs and related teams.
• Provides an objective and independent perspective to help shape overall project strategy and optimize portfolio value.

Requirements

• Must have Experience supporting or leading Cell Therapy development programs. Strongly preferred experience within Cell Therapy at the asset level.
• 10+ years of experience in drug development within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industries preferred.
• Experience in project or portfolio management and leadership of cross-functional matrix teams is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success planning and managing complex early and/or late-stage drug development programs.
• Strong understanding of disease areas, drug development pathways, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to strategic discussions.
• Expert knowledge of end-to-end drug development processes and product value assessment.
• Proficiency with project management tools, including Microsoft Project.
• Experience guiding GPT activities and preparing high-quality governance documents and executive presentations.
• Ability to ensure appropriate GPT membership and functional representation as programs evolve.
• Strong problem-solving and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or another relevant scientific discipline. A Ph.D. is preferred.
• PMP certification is desirable.

Stage 4 Solutions is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing employees with an inclusive environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on the job requirements and candidates qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion/belief, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Please feel free to forward this project opening to others who may be interested.

Compensation: $140- $147.95/hr.