Associate Director/Director, Program Management

Protagonist Therapeutics • Newark, NJ

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery-through-late-stage development biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform that enables de novo discovery of peptide therapeutics. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are at or near commercialization. ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra), licensed to Johnson & Johnson company Janssen Biotech, Inc., is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor. ICOTYDE was launched in the U.S. in March 2026, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older and is in Phase 3 development for psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. ICOTYDE was jointly discovered by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists, with Protagonist having primary responsibility for the development of ICOTYDE through Phase 1, and Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further development and commercialization. Protagonist also discovered and led development through Phase 3 of rusfertide, a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals. An NDA for rusfertide for the treatment of polycythemia vera is under priority review with the FDA. The Company also has a number of clinical and preclinical programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including an oral IL-17 antagonist peptide, obesity dual and triple agonists, an oral hepcidin functional mimetic, and the recently announced IL-4 and amylin programs. More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates, and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com . The Associate Director/Director, Program Management is a critical function and will be responsible for leading and coordinating all activities associated with advancing a program through Ph1 to Ph3 clinical trials. The individual will be a key member of project teams, working closely with the stakeholders and contribute to the definition of project strategy and guide the project and functional teams to deliver on program and corporate objectives. This position will be accountable for steering core teams through internal processes and manage the integration of preclinical, clinical, cmc, and regulatory execution. Develop and ensure timely execution of complex project plans, as well as manage project timelines, budget to achieve key milestones and timely decision points.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or business discipline and 10+ years of relevant Program Management / Project Leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry or equivalent.
• PMPP certification a plus.
• Strong organizational, facilitation and presentation skills
• Advanced Microsoft Project, Smart Sheet, PowerPoint, Excel capabilities
• Prior experience working in a fast-paced entrepreneurial development stage company is highly desirable.
• In depth knowledge and experience of the global drug development to enable robust and efficient project plans
• Experience in more than one therapeutic area would be a plus.
• An ability to take hands-on, “roll up your sleeves” approach toward achieving business results.
• An ability to achieve results with colleagues of diverse functional expertise, skills and priorities.
• This would include the ability to challenge the status quo where relevant, and resolve conflict within the team while maintaining clear focus on business objectives.
• It also requires the ability to lead by influence rather than by command.
• Highly motivated, proactive and organized with an ability to operate independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to develop collaborative relationships internally and externally
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, with an ability to navigate, synthesize and convey complex issues
• Financial acumen to develop and provide oversight of project budgets and product valuations, with an understanding of portfolio management concepts
• Ability to translate strategy into action, requiring strong influencing, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to travel, about 5%

Nice To Haves

• PMPP certification a plus.
• Experience in more than one therapeutic area would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create timelines and utilize planning tools such as creation of project dashboards and Gantt charts including Smartsheet.
• Ensure team objectives are clearly established and communicated.
• Ensure that responsibilities are understood, risks are identified, progress is measured and plans are updated and adapted as necessary.
• Organize and conduct project team meetings.
• Provide concise meeting minutes in a timely fashion, including key decisions and actions.
• Work with respective functional leaders to drive the Ph1 and Ph2 programs including clinical timelines in collaboration with the clinical lead that optimize value, time, resources and risk while ensuring that Program strategy is aligned with business objectives.
• Accountability for ensuring adherence of project planning and activities to agreed time, resources, budget and scope.
• Accountability for project team documentation and for identifying issues and risks and leading contingency planning.
• Identify and track the project's critical path, formulate and monitor corrective courses of action
• Ensures conflict resolution at project team or higher level.
• Presenting strategic issues, project updates and options, and recommendations to Senior Management team.

Benefits

• Health Care benefits.
• Protagonist covers 100% of the premium cost for medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Vacation Policy
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Company paid lunch and snacks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior