Product Development Program Manager

Aquestive Therapeutics; New Jersey; On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquestive Therapeutics in the United States seeks a senior program leader to guide a portfolio of 2–3 product development projects, developing integrated cross-functional plans and aligning Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance functions. The role uses strong leadership to drive milestones and efficient resource use.

You will own the development plan, manage risks and dependencies, and collaborate across functions to ensure on-time delivery while building

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, healthcare, or business discipline.
• 7+ years leading pharmaceutical or life sciences development programs.
• Proven ability to build relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional management skills.
• Experience managing timelines, budgets, risks, and governance deliverables.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical development lifecycle and cross-functional interdependencies.
• Ability to balance heavy workloads and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to drive strategy while delivering tactical results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with influence without direct authority.
• Experience presenting status and options to senior leadership; PMP or similar certs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the company to success on an assigned portfolio of product development projects.
• Develops and owns a comprehensive product development plan with timelines, resources, budget, risks, dependencies, and milestones.
• Integrates functional plans into a single cross-functional development plan with clear ownership and accountability.
• Identifies and manages project risks and mitigation strategies.
• Maintains program-level risk, issue, decision, and dependency tracking and escalates as needed.
• Leads the Product Development Process (PDP) for all assigned projects with proper governance.
• Works cross-functionally to align development timelines and goals across functions.
• Leads through influence in a matrixed environment while respecting authority.
• Represents Aquestive on external pipeline projects and ensures proper resourcing and progress.
• Prepares concise program updates, risk plans, and key decisions for leadership.
• Collaborates with Commercial, Finance, and executive teams to assess ROI for each product.
• Maintains core deliverables: timelines, resource plans, budgets, governance materials, and reporting.
• Contributes to improving the product development process within Aquestive.
• Navigate internal environment effectively, driving timelines and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Program management

Communication

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering/healthcare/business

Tools

PMP Certification

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for leading and project managing the progress of an assigned portfolio of product development projects (typically 2-3 at any one time). Accountable for developing and executing integrated cross-functional development plans and driving alignment across Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance functions. Accountable for the efficient and effective use of company resources towards the successful completion of product development milestones. Requires leadership, tenacity, critical thinking and the ability to build internal and external alliances. Also requires a balance of leadership capabilities, organizational skills, and a hands-on approach to program leadership and execution.

Job Summary

Responsible for leading and project managing the progress of an assigned portfolio of product development projects (typically 2-3 at any one time). Accountable for developing and executing integrated cross-functional development plans and driving alignment across Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance functions. Accountable for the efficient and effective use of company resources towards the successful completion of product development milestones. Requires leadership, tenacity, critical thinking and the ability to build internal and external alliances. Also requires a balance of leadership capabilities, organizational skills, and a hands-on approach to program leadership and execution.

Job Summary

Responsible for leading and project managing the progress of an assigned portfolio of product development projects (typically 2-3 at any one time). Accountable for developing and executing integrated cross-functional development plans and driving alignment across Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance functions. Accountable for the efficient and effective use of company resources towards the successful completion of product development milestones. Requires leadership, tenacity, critical thinking and the ability to build internal and external alliances. Also requires a balance of leadership capabilities, organizational skills, and a hands‑on approach to program leadership and execution.

Responsibilities

• Leads the company to success on an assigned portfolio of product development projects.
• Develops and owns a comprehensive product development plan (including timelines, resource requirements, budget, risks, dependencies, and key milestones) in conjunction with executive management for each assigned product.
• Integrates functional plans into a single cross‑functional development plan with clear ownership, dependencies, and accountabilities for key deliverables.
• Identifies project risks and formally measures, communicates and manages the risks and associated mitigation strategies.
• Maintains program‑level risk, issue, decision, and dependency tracking and escalates matters requiring management intervention.
• Leads the Aquestive Product Development Process (PDP) for all assigned projects ensuring use of checklists, documentation, and appropriate stage gate/milestone reviews are conducted.
• Works on a cross‑functional basis to ensure company alignment behind product development timelines and goals (internal development activities, clinical requirements, regulatory requirements, engineering & manufacturing requirements, and commercial & marketing requirements).
• Leads through influence in a matrixed environment while respecting the decision authority and accountability of functional leaders.
• Acts as Aquestive’s lead representative on external pipeline projects; ensures external pipeline projects are properly managed, resourced, and progressed.
• Facilitates active communication and timely decision making regarding projects.
• Prepares and presents concise program updates, risks, mitigation plans, and key decisions to senior leadership and applicable governance teams.
• Works with Commercial, Finance, and the Executive Leadership Team to continually assess the return on investment (ROI) for each product.
• Maintains core program management deliverables, including integrated timelines, resource plans, budgets, governance materials, milestone forecasts, decision records, project data, and executive reporting.
• Works as an integral member of the Product Development team to improve the product development process within Aquestive.
• Navigates the internal Aquestive environment effectively, maintaining flexibility while driving achievement of program goals and timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, healthcare, or business discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences development programs or projects; the successful candidate must be able to provide a proven track record of project management results.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors.
• Strong leadership and cross‑functional management skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing integrated timelines, critical paths, resources, budgets, risks, dependencies, milestones, and governance deliverables.
• Working knowledge of the pharmaceutical development lifecycle and the interdependencies among Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, and Commercial functions.
• Ability to balance and prioritize a demanding workload and multiple projects/tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to drive and manage project strategy while focusing on tactical deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong collaborative mindset and ability to lead through influence without direct authority.
• Experience presenting program status, risks, options, and recommendations to senior leadership preferred.
• Experience with project or portfolio management tools required; PMP or comparable program management certification preferred but not required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by colleagues assigned to this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Aquestive reserves the right to make changes to the job description whenever necessary.

As part of Aquestive’s employment process, final candidate will be required to complete a drug test and background check prior to employment commencing. Please Note: Aquestive is a drug‑free workplace and has a drug free workplace policy in place.

Aquestive provides equal employment opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education. Expected salary range: $110,000.00 to $130,000.00/year