Director, Program Management, Late-Stage Development

Immunocore; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 157,500 - 262,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Annual incentive plans

Job summary

A biotechnology company is seeking an experienced Program Manager in Gaithersburg, MD. This role involves leading late-stage clinical program teams, ensuring alignment on project strategies, and influencing stakeholders across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in biotech R&D with over 16 years of experience and a relevant degree. Responsibilities will include developing comprehensive launch plans, managing budgets, and adhering to best practices in program management. Competitive salary and benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• 16+ years of related experience or equivalent.
• Extensive knowledge of late-stage R&D drug development.
• Ability to empower, lead and encourage efficient cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional program teams in drug development.
• Drive strategic project planning and execution.
• Influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve goals.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Leadership

Education

BS/BA in life science discipline

Masters/PhD/PharmD/MBA preferred

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Location of Role

Gaithersburg, MD

Department

Program Management

Key Responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to serve as an expert and principal advisor leading and driving cross-functional, late-stage clinical-stage program teams in the development of the Immunocore portfolio by effectively contributing to the development of and translating program strategies into cross-functional plans and ensuring delivery against those plans, maintaining strong internal and external strategic awareness.

The role involves addressing significant and unique complex issues across multiple business areas, devising solutions based on limited information and exercising judgment. The implementation of these solutions requires a long‑term perspective, impacting Immunocore’s strategic goals and objectives across functional areas.

The individual will contribute to the development of strategies across multiple areas, providing input into functionally strategic decisions that may influence the overall company strategy. Erroneous decisions could critically impact the functional area and the company’s overall success.

The role also involves regularly interacting with and influencing key stakeholders across the business, to drive business results and act as an influential and strategic leader within the organization.

• Partners with Program Lead to drive the cross‑functional alignment and delivery of assigned programs.
• Provides program management leadership by providing active input into the project strategy & vision, ensuring alignment of the project strategy with operational delivery.
• Leads teams in the creation of comprehensive development and launch plans, including identifying alternatives and scenario planning in corporation with other functional areas.
• Leads teams to develop and manage marketing authorization submissions to health authorities and overall cross‑functional launch/new product introduction to the Commercial organization.
• Partners with all functional areas (e.g. pre‑clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, clinical, safety, data management) to refine and build integrated program strategy and timelines, identify the critical path and keep the programs on track.
• Ensures appropriate linkages between project strategy and key internal processes (therapy area strategies, prioritization, resource management, corporate scorecard, etc.).
• Works with the program team to establish short and long‑term goals and proactively identifies issues and/or risks; facilitates risk mitigation strategies where needed.
• Coaches project teams towards successful issue resolution and decision making and focuses the team on the right activities at the right time; able to handle most challenging project situations.
• Monitors deliverables and communicates regular updates of program status to stakeholders via dashboards, program reporting and other cross‑portfolio project management tools.
• Completes day‑to‑day program management activities, such as facilitating cross‑functional team meetings, leading discussions to drive decision‑making, preparing agendas and meeting minutes, and defining and resolving action items.
• Partners with the Program Lead and project team members to develop impactful presentations which summarize complex topics into critical points to facilitate strategic planning and decision‑making and prepares programs status updates and governance presentations to the governance committees.
• Ensures that all key stakeholders are knowledgeable of program milestones, plans, program status and decisions through regular reporting and communication.
• Ensures the team and stakeholders have the right information for decisions and leads the team through problem solving, decision discussions and contingency planning, particularly with respect to complex and unique issues.
• Upholds excellent program management best practices and principles while serving as a visible leader to strengthen the program management department and create efficiencies where possible.
• Provides guidance regarding standards/templates to Program Lead, the project team and senior management/governance bodies that allows efficient (timely and informed) decision making.
• Working with the Program Lead, uses broad influential network and ensures engagement at all levels prior to key decisions to ensure alignment on key questions/decisions which need to be made.
• Ensures that overall team deliverables, budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set, governance‑approved and successfully attained, and that the project effectively fulfils all business reporting requirements.
• Champions company program management methodologies and adoption of new project management practices; can drive and execute programs.
• Uses business knowledge to drive cross‑project learning, champion and embed better ways of working across the company through influence.
• Assists the VP, Program and Portfolio Management, and other team members as required, in process improvements and other initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness; leads departmental initiatives as requested.

Supervisory Responsibility

• N/A

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Essential Qualifications

• Educated to BS/ BA level or higher in life science discipline or equivalent
• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and 16+ years of related experience; or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters/ PhD/ PharmD/ MBA in immunology, biochemistry, cell biology or related discipline
• Prior experience in BLA/MAA filings and new product launch.
• PMP certification preferred but not required

Experience

• Experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry with prior experience in an R&D Project or Product Management role in the Biotech industry (at least 12+ years of relevant experience)
• Extensive knowledge of late‑stage R&D drug development processes within the Pharmaceutical and/or Biotech industry
• Proficiency with MS Project/Smartsheet and/or other PM tools and practices
• Ability to empower, lead and encourage efficient cross‑functional teams
• Excellent working knowledge of project management tools and processes
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft environment (Word, Excel, Power Point, Visio, SharePoint, Teams)
• Exceptional relationship building skills to work with internal and external stakeholders and user groups and quickly understand their needs and the scientific, clinical, and operational problems that need solving.
• Ability to influence and persuade other stakeholders by applying knowledge and expertise to drive desired departmental while preserving relationships
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Highly proactive in identifying risks, raising issues, and identifying solutions within the project and predict where opportunities for improving processes may arise in the future
• Delivery‑focused mindset, capable of scaling at pace, taking operational and practical ownership of projects
• Strong track record in a relevant scientific discipline

Annual Salary Range for US

This position is eligible for standard Company benefits, including medical, dental, vision, time off and 401k, as well as participating in Immunocore's annual incentive plans. Incentive plans are contingent on achievement of personal and company performance. Actual compensation may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level.

$157,500 - $262,500

About the Company

Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial‑stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first‑in‑class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.