Director, Program Team Lead

TarsusRX•Irvine, CA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Program Team Lead 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 in defining and executing an integrated molecule strategy aligned with corporate priorities, advancing programs with clarity, discipline, and strong decision-making. This position calls for sound judgment amid uncertainty and the ability to align matrixed teams and senior leaders across scientific and business considerations. The Director also shapes program leadership practices and governance as Tarsus scales. The position is based in Tarsus’s Irvine office and follows a hybrid work arrangement. Some travel may be required, up to 20%.

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 Tarsus Leadership Competencies for Leading People, including strategic thinking and business acumen, decision-making, cross-functional leadership, outcome-driven execution, and effective communication.

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 in defining and executing 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, 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.