Associate Director, Nonclinical and Translational Strategy & Operations
About The Position
Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA) is a new kind of pharmaceutical company with a deconstructed R&D environment that prioritizes data-driven decision making led by subject matter experts. Centessa is advancing a portfolio of high conviction programs with strong biological validation. Our asset-centric model offers a unique R&D logic that has been applied by single asset companies to improve productivity. This operating model has minimal centralized infrastructure, reduced hierarchy, and exclusive focus on data-driven capital allocation. Our teams are uniquely incentivized to expeditiously interrogate key scientific hypotheses. We believe the asset-centric model can lead to improved success rates for programs with greater speed and modest costs. The Nonclinical and Translational Strategy & Operations role will support the planning, execution, and coordination across all programs and operational initiatives. This role partners closely with leaders in toxicology, DMPK, clinical pharmacology, and cross-functional program management to drive alignment, operational rigor and effective communication. The role combines strategic planning, operational coordination, metrics/reporting, and cross-functional communication to help deliver department work product in a fast-paced R&D environment.
Requirements
- Advanced degree in life sciences (PhD preferred), such as biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related field
- 8+ years of experience in program or departmental management supporting discovery and early-stage development
- Strong working knowledge of nonclinical drug development (toxicology, pharmacology, DMPK, Translational PKPD, Clinical Pharmacology)
- Exceptional ability to synthesize complex scientific and operational information into clear, executive level narratives
- Proven capability to operate with ambiguity, influence without authority, and drive outcomes in a matrixed environment
- Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Agile with an ability to respond positively to continuous change and to bring creative solutions to challenges
- Exceptional computer proficiency – advanced knowledge of and experience with Smartsheet and MS-Office applications (including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills (resources, timelines, cost/risk/benefit analysis, and overseeing data management)
Nice To Haves
- Project management training or PMP certification is a plus
Responsibilities
- Support development and maintenance of integrated departmental timelines aligned with broader program objectives
- Partner with cross-functional program leads and PM(s) to build, and monitor integrated nonclinical and translational plans including scope, timing, deliverables and risks
- Maintain dashboards, project plans, finance/resource tracking tools, and operational metrics to support visibility and decision-making
- Communicate status, risks, and progress on departmental initiatives and deliverables, in partnership with cross-functional program leads/PMs, ensuring consistent, aligned, high-quality updates and communication to management, partners, and governance teams
- Facilitate internal collaboration and meetings, including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, decisions, and following up actions
- Track deliverables from external partners and internal teams, including CROs, with the help of Operations staff, and support preparation high-quality materials for governance and Regulatory submissions
Benefits
- 401(k) plan
- company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- generous paid time off
- health and wellness program
- discretionary annual bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
