Executive Director, Drug Development & Program Strategy

Ardelyx, Inc.; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 290,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Parental leave

Org/Bone marrow leave

Equity incentives

Health plans

Life insurance

Flexible time off

Winter shutdown

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ardelyx, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director, Program Management to translate asset strategy into integrated development plans and drive execution across non-clinical and clinical functions.

You will guide planning, timelines, risks, and interdependencies, reporting to the VP, Asset Strategy. The role entails leading cross-functional discussions, managing timelines, and enabling timely decisions to accelerate development while aligning with corporate goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; 15+ years of project management experience in drug development is expected.
• Experience with NDA/BLA submissions and US/regulatory processes.
• Early- and late-stage program development experience (Preclinical to Phase III).
• Strong leadership to drive complex programs with cross-functional alignment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead project strategies, long- and short-term planning, and resource escalation.
• Coordinate overlapping timelines across R&D, clinical operations, and regulatory teams.
• Manage program updates, decisions, and risk mitigation with senior leadership.
• Develop integrated project plans, milestones, and deliverables; communicate interdependencies.
• Strengthen PM practices, tooling, and reporting across the development portfolio.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Excellent communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Ardelyx, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director, Program Management to translate asset strategy into integrated development plans and drive execution across non-clinical and clinical functions.

You will guide planning, timelines, risks, and interdependencies, reporting to the VP, Asset Strategy. The role entails leading cross-functional discussions, managing timelines, and enabling timely decisions to accelerate development while aligning with corporate goals.