Director, Program Team Lead
About The Position
The Director, Program Team Lead (PTL) provides strategic and cross-functional leadership for one or more development programs at Tarsus. The role integrates development, regulatory, commercial, and operational perspectives to maximize long-term molecule value. The Director leads a cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with corporate priorities, ensuring programs advance with clarity, discipline, and strong decision-making. The role requires navigating scientific and business considerations while driving alignment across matrixed teams and senior leadership. It offers an opportunity to shape program leadership at Tarsus while advancing innovative therapies for patients. The position is based in Tarsus’s Irvine office and has a hybrid work environment. The office includes an onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. Some travel may be required, up to 20%. The position reports directly to the Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO. The expected base pay range is $203,200–$284,600, plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance and paid time off.
Requirements
- 15+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with demonstrated progression into strategic leadership roles.
- Experience leading or meaningfully contributing to cross-functional drug development programs across multiple stages of development and/or launch planning, commercial strategy, and lifecycle management for commercial products.
- Strong understanding of global drug development, regulatory strategy, and the broader ecosystem influencing pharmaceutical product development.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in highly matrixed environments without direct authority.
- Willingness to be hands-on and delve into details.
- Proficiency in the Tarsus Leadership Competencies for Leading People, including strategic thinking and business acumen, decision-making, cross-functional leadership, outcome-driven execution, and effective communication.
- Ability to connect program strategy with broader business objectives and synthesize diverse inputs into strategic perspectives that guide decisions.
- Ability to make recommendations linked to organizational strategy and financial goals, considering internal and external dynamics, competitive environments, and industry trends.
- Ability to use structured decision-making for complex cross-functional challenges, weighing competing priorities and longer-term trade-offs.
- Ability to align diverse teams around shared goals, foster healthy debate, and build strong relationships and networks with functional leaders and senior stakeholders.
- Ability to align teams around shared priorities, address risks and dependencies, and drive accountability and progress.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly and actionably to varied stakeholders, aligning team efforts and ensuring feedback flows upward and downward.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related discipline.
- MBA or equivalent business training.
- Experience with key regulatory filings from IND through NDA.
- New product planning experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with long-term corporate strategy and enterprise priorities.
- Own and evolve the Target Product Profile (TPP) and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to optimize molecule value.
- Drive key program decisions by defining strategic options, risks, and recommendations in collaboration with functional leaders.
- Serve as the enterprise voice of the molecule, aligning stakeholders around program strategy, priorities, and decisions.
- Drive day-to-day Program Team execution, ensuring milestones, timelines, and deliverables progress in alignment with strategy.
- Shape molecule-level inputs to annual budgeting, portfolio, and long-range planning processes, clearly articulating assumptions, risks, and value drivers.
- Identify strategic and executional risks, including competitive, regulatory, and market shifts, and develop scenario-based mitigation strategies.
- Prepare and deliver program updates, strategic recommendations, and decision materials to the Executive Team, Board, and other governance forums.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.
- Contribute to the evolution of program leadership practices and governance processes as the organization scales.
Benefits
- Onsite gym and pool.
- Snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals at the office.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
- Bonus and stock equity.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
