Director or Senior Director, Program Management

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 195,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity participation

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a senior program manager to lead R&D development programs from preclinical discovery through registration and lifecycle management for small molecules. You will coordinate matrix teams, drive risk mitigation, and ensure on-time, on-budget execution while partnering with asset leads.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in biotech/pharma with 4+ years in program management, a PhD or advanced degree preferred, and strong communication and influencing skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in biotech/pharma with 4+ years in program management.
• PhD or advanced scientific degree preferred; PMP certification a plus.
• Track record managing internal programs; able to lead strategically and work hands-on.
• Drug development experience from preclinical discovery through registration and lifecycle management for small molecules.
• Proven success leading matrix teams in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to handle difficult conversations.
• Strong influencing skills; trust-building with stakeholders.
• Project management/organizational skills; scientific knowledge; business acumen.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Project (or similar), PowerPoint, and planning/tracking tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide program management and matrixed leadership to cross-functional R&D Development teams to drive development and deliver results aligned with corporate objectives.
• Predict and plan solutions to achieve program goals; drive clarity and remove barriers.
• Interface with management and influence informed decision-making.
• Proactively manage and mitigate development risks; ensure appropriate communication and governance interfaces.
• Partner with the Program Team Lead (PTL) to establish and align on asset strategies and integrated development plans.
• Coordinate and facilitate cross-functional program team meetings (agendas, actions, scenario planning, decisions, accountability) and manage subteams as needed.
• Ensure on-time, on-budget execution of development activities; independently resolve complex issues and competing priorities; create mitigation plans.
• Proactively manage executive leadership stakeholder communications; formulate positions/strategies and drive resolution.
• Manage scheduled and ad hoc program reporting; coordinate governance preparation to support asset objectives/deliverables.
• Support team effectiveness via health checks and action plans; support project management and corporate initiatives.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Influencing skills

Risk management

Biotech domain knowledge

Microsoft Project

PowerPoint

Education

PhD or advanced degree

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

PowerPoint

Job description

How you’ll make an impact:

• Provide program management and matrixed leadership to cross-functional R&D Development teams to drive development and deliver results aligned with corporate objectives.
• Predict and plan solutions to achieve program goals; drive clarity and remove barriers.
• Interface with management and influence informed decision-making.
• Proactively manage and mitigate development risks; ensure appropriate communication and governance interfaces.
• Partner with the Program Team Lead (PTL) to establish and align on asset strategies and integrated development plans.
• Coordinate and facilitate cross-functional program team meetings (agendas, actions, scenario planning, decisions, accountability) and manage subteams as needed.
• Ensure on-time, on-budget execution of development activities; independently resolve complex issues and competing priorities; create mitigation plans.
• Proactively manage executive leadership stakeholder communications; formulate positions/strategies and drive resolution.
• Manage scheduled and ad hoc program reporting; coordinate governance preparation to support asset objectives/deliverables.
• Support team effectiveness via health checks and action plans; support project management and corporate initiatives.

Skills and experience you’ll bring:

• 8+ years in biotech/pharma with 4+ years in program management.
• PhD or advanced scientific degree preferred; PMP certification a plus.
• Track record managing internal programs; able to lead strategically and work hands-on.
• Drug development experience from preclinical discovery through registration and lifecycle management for small molecules.
• Proven success leading matrix teams in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to handle difficult conversations.
• Strong influencing skills; trust-building with stakeholders.
• Project management/organizational skills; scientific knowledge; business acumen.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Project (or similar), PowerPoint, and planning/tracking tools.

Compensation/benefits:

• Anticipated base salary range: $195,000-$330,000; eligibility for annual bonus, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits.