Sr. Program Manager, Drug Development

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

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company match

Paid vacation/holidays/personal days

Health benefits (medical, dental, eye)

Annual bonus and equity-based long‑the

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead drug development programs from preclinical through regulatory milestones and commercialization. You will partner with research, CMC, clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams to align strategy, goals, and timelines, while managing schedules, budgets, and governance.

The role emphasizes leadership, communication, and the ability to navigate complex multi-disciplinary programs.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Life Sciences with 8+ years pharma/biotech multi-disciplinary program management.
• Experience leading cross-functional drug development programs (early/late phase, IND/CTA, NDA/MAA).
• PMP certification is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of cross-functional program strategy with the Program Lead.
• Establish integrated program schedules and manage resources/budgets.
• Identify risks, track mitigation, and drive decision-making in governance meetings.
• Mentor teams, facilitate stakeholder alignment, and ensure on-time milestones.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Risk management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Education

BS/BA Life Sciences + 8+ years PM experience

Master’s Life Sciences +6 years

PhD Life Sciences +4 years

Tools

Planisware

Smartsheet

MS Project

Job description

About The Role

Lead drug development teams 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, including management of stakeholders, schedule, risks/issues, budget, resources, and governance. Manage program reporting; elevate risks/issues and highlight successes. Partner with research, CMC, pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial stakeholders to align on strategy, goals, timelines, and resources.

Your Contributions

• Partner with Program Lead and Development Team to manage development and execution of program strategy
• Establish and maintain integrated program schedules to enable analysis, critical path identification, and resource constraint awareness
• Assess program risk and support mitigation planning/tracking
• Lead scenario planning for differing outcomes at key milestones
• Identify and leverage short-, mid-, and long-term interdependencies; advise on risks and acceleration opportunities
• Challenge assumptions; recommend improvements to processes and outcomes
• Facilitate/document cross-functional meetings, communication, and decision-making
• Develop relationships with key functional stakeholder groups to support execution
• Serve as a Program Management expert resource; contribute tools/processes to the function
• Contribute to execution of Program Management department goals and activities
• May manage other Program Management staff
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• BS/BA (Life Sciences) + 8+ years pharma/biotech multi-disciplinary program management (early/late phase; IND/CTA, NDA/MAA) managing global efforts OR
• Master’s (Life Sciences) + 6+ years OR
• PhD (Life Sciences) + 4+ years
• PMP certification highly desired
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams; strong leadership/mentorship
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, analytical thinking
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines; independent management of objectives/timelines/budgets; provide status updates
• Knowledge of drug development process and interdependencies (research, CMC, non-clinical, clinical operations, regulatory)
• Experience as PM on early/late-phase global programs (e.g., IND/CTA, NDA/MAA, pediatric development, rare diseases)
• Ability to manage conflict, drive consensus, promote decision-making
• Proficiency in Planisware, Smartsheet, MS Project, or other PM software

Benefits

• Retirement savings plan (with company match)
• Paid vacation/holidays/personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits (medical, prescription drug, dental, vision)
• Annual bonus (target 30% of earned base salary) and eligibility for equity-based long-term incentive program

Compensation

• Annual base salary range: $158,100.00–$216,000.00