Biotech Project Manager — Drug Discovery & SPARK Programs

UVA Health; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia is seeking a Project Manager for the UVA Manning SPARK Program within the Manning Institute of Biotechnology in Charlottesville, VA. You will drive the execution of a growing portfolio of early-stage drug discovery and development programs toward licensing, company formation, or clinical development.

Reporting to the Chief Business and Strategy Officer and Director, you will collaborate with SPARK investigators, industry advisors, CROs/CDMOs, and student teams, while

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• 4+ years of relevant experience.
• PMP certification within one year of hire if not held.
• Demonstrated project management in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, or translational drug development.

Responsibilities

• Plan and maintain a Target Product Profile (TPP) and integrated project plan with milestones, budget, timeline, and risk register.
• Track program progress against milestones and organize stage-gate reviews; provide clear recommendations to leadership.
• Plan and manage lead optimization and IND-enabling studies and regulatory strategy with external experts.
• Identify, engage, and manage CROs/CDMOs, consultants, and other external partners, including scope, budget, timelines and data quality.
• Coordinate with SPARK investigators, industry advisors, and IP/licensing teams to support portfolio milestones and funding opportunities.
• Coordinate student and faculty teams across UVA to contribute commercial, market, payer, IP, regulatory analyses to SPARK programs.
• Develop portfolio governance, dashboards, and reporting for Institute leadership; support SPARK Tank operations.

Skills

PMP certification

MS Project

Smartsheet

Education

Master's degree

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

The University of Virginia is seeking a Project Manager for the UVA Manning SPARK Program within the Manning Institute of Biotechnology in Charlottesville, VA. You will drive the execution of a growing portfolio of early-stage drug discovery and development programs toward licensing, company formation, or clinical development.

Reporting to the Chief Business and Strategy Officer and Director, you will collaborate with SPARK investigators, industry advisors, CROs/CDMOs, and student teams, while