Sr. Program Manager

Socket.dev; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work options

Job summary

Syner-G seeks a Senior Program Manager to act as a strategic partner to executive leadership, aligning priorities and driving execution across product development and business initiatives. This Chief of Staff-style role requires 15+ years managing complex programs in biotech or related regulated fields, influencing senior stakeholders, and delivering results in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities include translating strategy into actionable programs, governance structures, and dashboards,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• MS/PhD/MBA or equivalent preferred.
• 15+ years in program/portfolio management, PMO leadership or Chief of Staff roles in biotech or regulated industries.
• Strong executive communications, facilitation and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Advise executive leadership on critical business, product development, and organizational priorities.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable programs, governance models, and metrics.
• Support planning, portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and roadmap development.
• Drive leadership meetings, business reviews, and stakeholder communications.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives spanning R&D, operations, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial.
• Establish governance, accountability frameworks, and KPI reporting.
• Monitor portfolio health, risks, dependencies, and provide actionable insights.
• Develop executive dashboards, status reports, and decision-ready materials.
• Foster alignment and collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

PMO leadership

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences / related

MS / PhD / MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Smartsheet

PM tools

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

A career here is life-enhancing. At Syner-G, we enable our people to build careers that impact positively on their quality of life. Through our expertise, insight, consulting and management skills, we accelerate breakthrough science and delivery of life-enhancing therapies to more patients. We work across a diverse range of clients and projects, supporting many organizations from the most critical phases of the drug discovery and approval process through to commercialization. It is meaningful, varied and thought-provoking work with a strategic emphasis, a solutions-driven approach and significant, real-world outcomes, from science to delivery/success. To learn more about who we are and what drives us, watch our company video here .

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership and drive alignment, execution, and operational excellence across critical product development and business initiatives supporting next-generation protein sequencing technologies. This role will function in a Chief of Staff capacity, helping translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, facilitate executive decision-making, establish governance and operating mechanisms, and drive accountability across a portfolio of high-impact initiatives. The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of experience leading complex cross-functional programs within biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, or related industries, along with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, executive presence, operational rigor, and the ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

WORK LOCATION

Travel to client sites may be required up to 100%, based on project demands and client expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to executive leadership on critical business, product development, and organizational priorities.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable programs, operating plans, governance structures, and measurable outcomes.
• Support strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and roadmap development across key business initiatives.
• Drive executive operating rhythms, including leadership meetings, business reviews, strategic planning sessions, and stakeholder communications.
• Lead a portfolio of high-priority cross-functional initiatives spanning research, product development, operations, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial functions.
• Establish program structures, governance models, accountability frameworks, and performance metrics that improve visibility, alignment, and execution.
• Facilitate executive decision-making by synthesizing complex information, identifying tradeoffs, and presenting clear recommendations.
• Monitor portfolio health, resource allocation, program performance, risks, and dependencies, providing leadership with actionable insights and escalation recommendations.
• Develop and maintain executive dashboards, KPIs, status reports, presentations, and reporting frameworks that support informed decision-making.
• Drive accountability by tracking commitments, decisions, milestones, action items, and strategic deliverables across leadership teams.
• Identify organizational risks, execution challenges, and opportunities for improvement, proactively recommending solutions and corrective actions.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of executive leadership.
• Implement program management best practices, tools, and processes that improve organizational effectiveness, collaboration, and execution discipline.
• Support organizational change initiatives associated with business growth, transformation efforts, and evolving strategic priorities.
• Foster alignment, transparency, accountability, and collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups while influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Ensure strategic initiatives remain aligned with business objectives and deliver measurable value to the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Education Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline required. Advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA, or equivalent) preferred. Technical Experience 15+ years of progressive experience in program management, portfolio management, business operations, strategy execution, PMO leadership, Chief of Staff functions, or related leadership roles within biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, medical device, pharmaceutical, or other regulated industries. Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership teams and driving complex cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution. Experience leading enterprise-level programs supporting product development, organizational priorities, business operations, or strategic transformation initiatives. Experience supporting the development and commercialization of scientific instruments, consumables, assays, reagents, kits, or platform-based technologies preferred. Strong understanding of stage-gate product development processes, design controls, risk management, product lifecycle management, commercialization planning, and governance frameworks. Experience supporting strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and organizational goal-setting processes. Demonstrated experience operating in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments requiring strong organizational leadership and execution discipline. Experience working within regulated environments and partnering with quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and commercial functions. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, and project/program portfolio management tools. Experience developing executive dashboards, governance materials, business reviews, program reporting, KPI frameworks, and executive-level presentations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities PMP certification preferred; MBA or equivalent business leadership credentials highly desirable. Exceptional executive communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority. Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, problem-solving, and decision-support capabilities. Ability to navigate ambiguity, establish structure, and effectively prioritize competing business needs. Experience supporting executive operating rhythms, leadership decision-making processes, and organizational governance forums. Deep understanding of product development, commercialization processes, organizational effectiveness, and change management principles. Strong portfolio management, risk management, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to synthesize complex technical, scientific, operational, and business information into actionable recommendations for executive audiences. Demonstrated success building consensus, managing conflict, and driving accountability across diverse teams and leadership groups. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously. Strong interpersonal skills, executive presence, and judgment, with the ability to build credibility and influence at all levels of the organization. Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels to ensure successful business and program outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Physical Demands :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer keyboard and mouse; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit, as well as to lift and carry objects such as books and files weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, including moderate noise level, an indoor temperate environment, and light levels that are bright and conducive to minimal eye strain, typical for an office environment.

TOTAL REWARDS PROGRAM

We define total rewards as compensation, benefits, remote work/flexibility, development, recognition, and our culture with programs that support each of our reward pillars. This includes a market competitive base salary and annual incentive plan, robust benefit offerings, and ongoing recognition and career development opportunities. Employees also enjoy our generous flexible paid time off program, company-paid holidays, flexible working hours, and fully remote work options for most positions and the ability to work “almost anywhere.” However, if a physical work location is more for you, we have office locations in Greater Boston; San Diego, CA; Boulder, CO; and India.

COMPENSATION

The expected salary range for this position is $140,000 to $183,000 yearly. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. Currently, Syner-G is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

LEGAL STATEMENT

Syner-G is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employers. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Syner-G is an E-Verify employer.