Sr. Director, Program Management

Zai Lab; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 258,000 - 361,000; Full time

Job summary

Zai Lab in South San Francisco, CA invites a Senior Director, Program Management to lead 1–3 development and commercialization programs. Reporting to the VP, PPM, you will oversee strategic development, timelines, budgets, risk management, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure on‑time delivery and compliance.

The role emphasizes leadership across departments, in‑licensing support, and development of portfolio tools and processes, with an office‑based arrangement in South San Francisco.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 8 years of industry experience including multi‑functional leadership in development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage 1–3 programs across development and commercialization stages.
• Direct cross‑functional development and commercial teams throughout lifecycle.
• Develop objective‑setting, timelines, budget plans, risk assessment, and contingency planning.
• Maintain program information in internal systems and ensure senior management visibility.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive issue resolution with cross‑functional task forces.
• Foster proactive communication and collaboration across teams to achieve transparency.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Biotech industry experience

Drug development

Communication

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on bringing transformative medicines for oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders to patients in China and around the world. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide.

Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical companies, generating a broad and late-stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Based on our proven track record of success, Zai Lab has earned the reputation as a trusted partner of choice for global biopharmaceutical companies seeking to not only access the Chinese market but also find a long‑term strategic partner for global clinical development. Our unique business model builds on our in‑licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best‑in‑class and/or first‑in‑class therapies. Zai currently has four products on the market in China

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual‑primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Since its inception, Zai Lab has expanded significantly with several offices across China. In 2021, Zai Lab established its U.S. Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As of January 2022, the Company has a global team of approximately 2000 employees.

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research‑based, commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on bringing transformative medicines for oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders to patients in China and around the world. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide.

Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical companies, generating a broad and late‑stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Based on our proven track record of success, Zai Lab has earned the reputation as a trusted partner of choice for global biopharmaceutical companies seeking to not only access the Chinese market but also find a long‑term strategic partner for global clinical development. Our unique business model builds on our in‑licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best‑in‑class and/or first‑in‑class therapies. Zai currently has four products on the market in China

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual‑primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Since its inception, Zai Lab has expanded significantly with several offices across China. In 2021, Zai Lab established its U.S. Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As of January 2022, the Company has a global team of approximately 2000 employees.

Job Description

Primary Function:

The Senior Director, Program Management will lead and manage 1-3 programs, depending on the stage and scope, across the development and commercialization stages.

Reporting to the VP, Program & Portfolio Management (PPM), this role is crucial for overseeing programs from strategic development through implementation, ensuring consistently high standards, on‑time achievement of objectives, and adherence to the company's professional and regulatory standards. The Senior Director will also support the development of departmental tools and processes across the portfolio.

This position is based in our South San Francisco, CA office.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Work independently or closely with Zai Product Team (ZPT) for the following responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and execute the integrated development strategy for programs. The number of programs depends on stage and scope of the programs.
• Direct and control multiple programs involving cross‑functional development and commercial teams, throughout the development and lifecycle management process.
• Lead and drive objective‑setting process for programs. Develop cross‑functional plans together including realistic but aggressive timelines, budget and resources planning, risk assessment and contingency planning, and publication.
• Drive cross‑functional teams to develop and update TPP, PTRS, competitive intelligence, and other necessary assessments for LRSP and governance decisions.
• Consistently work with abstract ideas or situations across functional areas. Ensure cross‑functional alignment and organizational support for the execution of the program plan by facilitating internal and external stakeholder meetings and drives the team toward out‑of‑the‑box thinking and creative issue resolution.
• Responsible for monitoring and tracking the projects against approved timelines and milestones and ensure adherence to agreed‑upon team objectives and deliverables.
• Responsible for comprehensiveness and quality of program information in the internal systems, databases, and communication to senior management and program teams.
• Expected to identify bottlenecks, surface issues, and proactively drive for their resolution. Leads contingency planning efforts. Conducts thorough assessment of intangible variables, fundamental issues, providing strategy and directions for multiple programs and/or initiatives.
• Lead ad‑hoc cross‑functional task forces as needed, aiming at issue resolution.
• Ensure effective, proactive, and open communications, horizontally and vertically, in order to achieve transparency and clarity of program goals, progress, and issues.
• Work with teams to contribute and develop departmental processes, procedures, and tools to improve departmental functioning and portfolio management.
• Support Business Development in in‑licensing activities and Alliance Management.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Advanced degree with 8 years of industry experience of which at least 5 years are in multi‑and cross‑functional leadership in the development stage and commercialization of products; or equivalent combination of higher education, training and experience.

PREFERRED:

• Advanced level of science and clinical acumen. Experience working in oncology and autoimmune disease.
• Strong cross‑functional team‑building, relationship‑management, and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation abilities for bridging scientific and business participants, negotiating timelines, and collaborating effectively with internal and external executive‑level management.
• Previous work and leadership experience in international, multidisciplinary drug development teams, with broad operational experience and a strong understanding of the drug development process.
• In‑depth knowledge of preclinical, clinical, regulatory (US, EU required, China and broader Asia a plus), and commercial functions, as well as business strategy and business requirements.
• Outstanding Project Management skills, including expertise in designing, developing, and managing project schedules, resource and financial planning (headcount and budget), and risk and issue management, etc.
• Ability to critically and objectively interpret and evaluate scientific and competitive, business‑related information.
• Exercises wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches critical to the program/organization; requires minimal strategic direction from senior management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft software (Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Think Cell, etc.) and experience with SharePoint site operation.
• Growth mindset coupled with creativity and adaptability, and strong learning and sharing capabilities.
• Strong verbal communication and expert written communication skills.
• Experience in biotech and cross‑regional collaboration with Asia/China.
• Must have the highest personal values and ethical standards.

Additional Information

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $258k and $361K/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign‑on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at‑will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

At Zai, we are proud of the gender diversity of our company and our promotion of women in biotech. We have achieved gender base pay equity at all levels, 58% of our employees are women and 54% of our management positions are held by women. We are committed to the health of patients and our planet. That’s why our environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance strategy, called “Trust for Life” is integrated within our business.

Disclaimer: This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirement for the position. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability.

Zai Lab is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the information we collect and to being transparent about the purposes for which we use your information. We have a Privacy Notice which sets forth our policies and practices for handling the information we collect and use in the employment context. Privacy Notice available upon request.