Global Head of Oncology Program Management

Summit-Therapeutics

Palo Alto (CA)

On-site

USD 217,000 - 271,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Summit Therapeutics Inc. is seeking a Senior Director of Program Management to provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple oncology development programs, aligning Research, Development, Manufacturing and Business Strategy.

This role drives pipeline prioritization and value creation from early development through regulatory approval. Reporting to the VP, Program Management, the role may include people leadership responsibilities and requires experience leading global teams,

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and minimum 15 years of relevant project management/scientific experience within the pharmaceutical industry; OR a MS or MBA and minimal 12 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a scientific field or a PharmD, DVM or MD degree with 7+ years of relevant experience
12–15+ years of pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience with progressive responsibility in program or portfolio management
Extensive pharmaceutical drug development experience required
Prior solid tumor oncology experience, including late-stage development and registrational trials, required
Demonstrated success leading complex, global, cross-functional programs and influencing senior executives
Experience managing alliances and external partners strongly preferred
Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution
Exceptional communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
Strong proficiency in program management and planning tools (e.g., MS Office, Project, Smartsheet)
Willing to travel for key meetings.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple programs or a therapeutic portfolio to maximize pipeline
Partner with executive leadership on program, indication, and portfolio strategy, including prioritization and sequencing
Define and oversee major milestones, decision points, objectives, and inflection points across programs
Lead scenario planning, trade-off analyses, and decision frameworks to support executive decision-making
Ensure alignment across Development, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Corporate Strategy
Lead and integrate complex cross-functional workstreams across Research, Development, Regulatory, and Manufacturing
Facilitate effective decision-making and accountability across global teams and external partners
Present clear insights, recommendations, and program status to C-suite and senior leadership
Mentor and develop Program Management leaders and strengthen organizational capability
Oversee end-to-end program execution, including activation of new indications post–Go decision
Ensure consistent application of program management standards, dashboards, and governance models
Chair timely, efficient, and action-oriented team meetings to coordinate operations and communications
Review and validate integrated program plans, timelines, and metrics for accuracy and strategic alignment
Represent Program Management on senior governance forums and key internal or external teams
Oversee integrated, cross-program timelines aligned with enterprise goals
Partner with functional leaders on budgets and forecast planning
Lead portfolio-level scenario and contingency planning to support strategic agility
Ensure data integrity and transparency in executive reporting