Sr. Program Manager, Drug Development

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 216,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company match

Paid vacation

Holiday and personal days

Parental and medical leave

Health benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences is seeking a senior Program Manager to lead drug development programs from preclinical through regulatory approval and commercialization. You will partner with the Program Lead and Development Team to align cross-functional teams and execute long-range plans.

Responsibilities include creating integrated schedules, managing risks, and communicating milestones to leadership across research, CMC, clinical and regulatory groups. Strong PMO tools experience is expected.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Life Sciences with 8+ years of pharma/biotech program management experience including IND/CTA, NDA/MAA submissions.
• Alternative paths: MS with 6+ years or PhD with 4+ years; PMP certification highly desired.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, communication, problem-solving.
• Knowledge of drug development process and inter-dependencies.
• Experience as PM on early and late phase global programs including IND/CTA, NDA/MAA submissions, pediatric development, rare diseases.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Program Lead to develop and execute program strategy.
• Maintain integrated program schedules to enable accurate analyses and identify critical path activities.
• Assess program risk and support mitigation planning and tracking.
• Lead scenario planning for key milestones.
• Identify inter-dependencies and advise on risks or acceleration opportunities.
• Challenge assumptions and propose process improvements.
• Facilitate meetings with cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Develop relationships with functional leaders to support program goals.
• Serve as Program Management expert resource for the organization.
• Contribute to PM function with new tools/processes.
• May manage other PM staff.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Communication

Risk management

Strategic planning

Budget management

Education

BS/BA in Life Sciences

Master’s in Life Sciences

PhD in Life Sciences

PMP Certification

Tools

Planisware

Smartsheet

MS Project

Job description

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

About the Role:

Lead drug development teams in partnership with the Program Lead, to develop cross-functional program strategy and long range plans from pre-clinical development through regulatory approval and commercialization. Drive team alignment in execution of the program plan following strong Project and Program Management theory and practice, including management of stakeholders, schedule, risks/issues, budget, resources and governance processes. Manage program reporting and elevate risks/issues to management as well as highlight team successes to the wider organization. Interact with stakeholders across the organization, including research, CMC, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial functions to ensure alignment on program strategy, goals, timelines and resources.

Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):

• Partner with Program Lead and Development Team members to manage the development and execution of program strategy
• Establish and maintain functionally integrated program schedules in accordance with established structures to enable accurate project analyses, identification of critical path activities and areas of resource constraint
• Assess program risk and support mitigation planning and tracking
• Lead scenario planning efforts to prepare teams for differing outcomes at key milestones
• Identify and leverage inter-dependencies in short-, mid-, and long-term program plans and advise teams on areas of risk or possibilities to accelerate development
• Challenge assumptions and provide recommendations to improve processes and outcomes
• Facilitate and document meetings, cross-functional communication and decision making, ensuring alignment with internal functional groups and leadership
• Develop relationships with key functional stakeholder groups and their leadership across the organization to support the execution of program goals
• Serve as a Program Management expert resource for the broader organization
• Contribute to the development of the Program Management function through the introduction of new tools and/or processes
• Contribute to successful execution of Program Management department goals and activities
• May manage other Program Management staff
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• BS/BA degree in Life Sciences discipline and 8+ years of multi-disciplinary experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, including experience with both early and late phase pharmaceutical program management including IND/CTA, NDA/MAA submissions.
• Experience managing global drug development efforts OR Master’s degree in Life Sciences discipline and 6+ years of similar experience noted above OR PhD in Life Sciences discipline and 4+ years of similar experience noted above PMP Certification highly desired
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Good leadership and mentorship skills
• Excellent communications, problem-solving, analytical thinking skills
• Sees broader picture and longer-term impact on division/company.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines across a variety of projects/programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management practices, tools and methodology
• Knowledge of the drug development process and inter-dependencies between key functions including research, CMC, non-clinical development, clinical development and operations, and regulatory affairs
• Experience as a PM on early and late phase global drug development programs including some of: IND/CTA, NDA/MAA submissions, pediatric development, rare diseases
• Ability to manage conflict, drive consensus, and promote decision-making
• Ability to independently identify and manage project objectives, timelines, budgets, providing formal and informal status updates to stakeholders as needed
• Ability to challenge assumptions
• Proficiency in Planisware, Smartsheet, MS Project or other project management software

Salary and Benefits:

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $158,100.00-$216,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills.

We offer an annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program.

Benefits:

• retirement savings plan (with company match)
• paid vacation
• holiday and personal days
• paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans

We are a top place to work.

Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma™ 2025.

We were also named a Great Place to Work® Certified company.

©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Contact:

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

Our Values:

• PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference.
• INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patients and our community. We take accountability. We speak up.
• COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed.
• INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions.
• TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot.

Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!