Director of Program Management, R&D (Loveland, CO)

Mars Petcare; Loveland (CO); On-site; USD 169,000 - 212,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

HSA/FSA

Parental Leave

401(k) Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Pet Care Discounts

Job summary

Antech Diagnostics is seeking a Senior Director of Program Management for Research & Development to lead a diverse team overseeing budgeting, planning, execution, and risk management across an innovative portfolio. This leadership role requires steering cross-functional scientists, engineers, and product managers to deliver projects on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in R&D project management, strong stage-gate expertise, and experience in biotech/pharma settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field.
• 15+ years in R&D project management, preferably in biotech, pharma, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of R&D processes and stage-gate methodologies.

Responsibilities

• PMO Leadership & Infrastructure: implement tools and processes to mature an R&D PMO.
• Portfolio & Project Planning: develop plans, budgets, risk registers for the R&D portfolio.
• Matrix Team Leadership: co-lead cross-functional teams through the project lifecycle.
• Risk Management: identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Quality & Regulatory Compliance: ensure adherence to standards and compliance audits.

Skills

Matrix management

Project leadership

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

We understand that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today, and that’s why we’re inspired to make A Better World for Pets. Antech is comprised of a diverse team of individuals who are committed to each other’s growth and development. Our culture is centered on our guiding philosophy, The Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom. Today Antech is driving the future of pet health as part of Mars Science & Diagnostics, a family-owned company focused on veterinary care.

Current Associates will need to apply through the internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on Menu or View All Apps, select the Jobs Hub app, then click the magnifying glass to Browse Jobs.

The Target Pay Range for this position is $169,000- $ 212,000 annually. At Antech, pay decisions are determined using factors such as relevant job-related skills, experience, education, training and budget.

Job Purpose/Overview

The Senior Director of Program Management, Research & Development is a leadership role leading a team of project managers for the budgeting, planning, execution, and oversight of an innovative portfolio within Antech’s R&D department. Responsible for managing a portfolio of projects that are developed in a cross-functional matrix of teams. Projects must be delivered on time, within scope, and on budget through rigorous risk mitigation strategies. Extensive experience required in stage gate development task oversight/management and influencing the business organization in the co-development process of innovation, operating in a matrix organizational leadership role, with highly proficient project management & leadership skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• PMO Leadership & Infrastructure: Implement tools, infrastructure, team ethos, and process to mature a disciplined R&D PMO.
• Portfolio & Project Planning: Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, risk registers, and project budgets for the R&D portfolio and enterprise initiatives. Assist in defining project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. Coordinate with technical leads, scientists, engineers, and technical product managers within R&D to ensure project objectives are met against requirements.
• Matrix Team Leadership: Co-lead cross-functional project teams, providing guidance, direction, and support throughout the project lifecycle. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, encouraging creativity and problem-solving. Manage team resources, including staffing, training, and performance evaluations.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges that may impact project timelines or deliverables. Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to ensure project success.
• Issue Resolution & Communication: Proactively address issues as they arise, keeping stakeholders informed and involved in decision-making. Provide project status updates, milestones, and record key decisions. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including senior management, to provide regular updates on project progress. Collaborate with external partners, vendors, and research collaborators as needed to achieve project goals.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage project budgets, track expenses, and ensure adherence to financial guidelines. Allocate resources effectively to optimize project outcomes while maintaining budget constraints. Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements without compromising project quality.
• Quality & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure projects comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices. Implement quality assurance processes to maintain high standards of research and development. Conduct regular project reviews and audits to assess performance and compliance with established business policies and regulatory requirements.
• Systems & Continuous Improvement: Implement a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool to improve design history file management and business continuity.
• Special Assignments: Participate in special projects and assignments as assigned and/or required.

Ethics and Organizational Standards:

We share a collaborative obligation to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the utmost ethical manner and that we hold each other accountable to the values and standards of the organization. Every employee has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, and report concerns and/or violations of company policy or ethical standards. Antech Diagnostics has several processes in place to communicate with leadership and expects that employees will have a commitment to integrity and uncompromising values.

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific or engineering field; advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Experience: Proven experience (15+ years) in R&D project management, preferably in a related industry such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, or technology.
• Process Knowledge: Strong understanding of R&D processes, methodologies, and best practices.
• Stage-Gate Methodology: Strong understanding of stage gate business and development processes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Industry Experience: Experience in veterinary diagnostics, medical device, or biotech industry is preferred.
• Matrix Management: Significant experience leading and motivating project teams in a cross-functional, indirect management environment.
• Problem Solving & Comprehension: Demonstrated ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Risk & Financial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to assess and mitigate risks as well as create cost controls and budgets for assigned projects.
• Active Listening & Communication: Demonstrated ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, understand points made, and ask questions as appropriate. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; exceptional conflict-resolution skills.
• Execution & Prioritization: Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and delegate tasks to efficiently move projects forward in a fast-paced, dynamic, and fluid environment.
• Drive & Initiative: Self-starter who is self-directed and focused on tasks at hand, needing little explicit direction or oversight, with the drive and determination to meet personal, department, and company goals.
• Facilitation & Culture: High degree of facilitation, leadership, management skills, and professionalism while interacting with customers and co-workers. Positive attitude to encourage team camaraderie and enthusiasm for operational excellence.
• Technical & Software Proficiencies: Significant MS Office experience required (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• AI Aptitude: Ability to identify high-value business problems that can be solved using AI, while keeping development and ongoing operating costs in check. Willingness to experiment and stay curious around responsible AI utilization to increase output quality and speed.

Travel

Will there be notable travel in this position? Yes. Percent of time: 25%

Working Conditions

The associate is regularly required to apply manual dexterity, including hand/wrist flexibility, for computer keyboarding. The associate frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The associate is frequently required to hear and speak in order to use the telephone, make presentations, and communicate with people in an office or virtual environment. The associate is occasionally required to sit and stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

The associate will primarily work in a typical office environment (including cubicles, computers, and overhead lighting) or remote home office where pets may be present. Temperature extremes will be minimal to nonexistent. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The associate will be required to use a computer, spreadsheets, database management, email, video conferencing, and the Internet. The associate is frequently required to use a calculator, copier/printer, and phone system. The associate must occasionally use media equipment such as PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams.

About Antech

Antech is a leader in veterinary diagnostics, driven by our passion for innovation that delivers better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.

Benefits

Antech offers an industry competitive benefits package and continues to invest in and evolve benefits programs that meet the health, wellness and financial needs of our associates.

Benefits eligiblity is based on employment status.

• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision (Multiple Plans Available)
• Basic Life (Company Paid) & Supplemental Life
• Short and Long Term Disability (Company Paid)
• Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition/Continuing Education Reimbursement
• Life Assistance Program
• Pet Care Discounts

Commitment to Equal Employer Opportunities

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete EEO statement, please see our Career page at Antech Careers (http://careers.antechdiagnostics.com/us/en/affirmative-action) .

Note to Search Firms/Agencies

Antech Diagnostics, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Antech) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Antech and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Antech will be deemed the sole property of Antech and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Antech.