Associate Director, Program Management Contractor

Job Title: Associate Director, Program Management Contractor

Job Number: 36226

Location: Lexington, MA

Job Description

Lead the execution of assigned programs from pre-IND through clinical development and regulatory approval. This is a 3–6-month contract position.

Responsibilities

• Partners with project teams to create detailed, end-to-end program plans, including setting objectives, key milestones, and clearly defined deliverables.

• Works closely with the Program Team Leader to establish and track strategic direction and team performance goals.

• Provides consistent, high-quality project management support by offering strategic insight into program performance, team dynamics, and operational efficiency—ensuring portfolio alignment, prioritization, and timely issue resolution.

• Leads execution of program plans and facilitates critical decision-making, maintaining accountability for delivering goals and milestones on time and within budget.

• Offers expert advice on budgeting and forecasting, utilizing data-driven analysis to project timelines and costs needed to meet program objectives.

• Oversees stakeholder communications to support smooth project execution and prompt escalation of issues.

• Proactively identifies risks, resource limitations, and potential conflicts that may affect timelines; collaborates with program leaders and development teams to create and implement mitigation strategies, keeping senior leadership informed.

• Coordinates and facilitates cross-functional meetings, handling logistics, preparing agendas and minutes, tracking risks/actions/decisions, and ensuring follow-through on action items.

• Guides the team in preparing presentations for governance reviews and scenario planning.

• Operates as part of a centralized Project Management Office, promoting cross-functional collaboration and driving continuous improvement in processes.

• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively engage and influence team members.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences-related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant industry experience, including at least 5 years of hands-on program management in drug development, with a demonstrated history of successfully leading cross-functional teams in a scientific setting.

• Deep knowledge of the full drug development lifecycle, spanning early research through clinical development.

• Strongly preferred: experience in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC).

• Gene therapy background is highly desirable.

• Proven leadership capabilities within a matrixed organization, including managing teams distributed across multiple locations.

• Skilled in utilizing program management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Office Timeline, and similar platforms.

• Experience supporting IND submissions and early-phase clinical trials (Phase I).

• Background in multiple neuroscience therapeutic areas.

• PMP certification or MBA is a plus.

• Certification in Change Management is preferred.