Director, Program Team Lead

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals • Irvine, CA

9d • Hybrid

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 in defining and executing an integrated molecule strategy aligned with corporate priorities, advancing programs with clarity, discipline, and strong decision-making. The position requires navigating scientific and business considerations, building alignment across matrixed teams and senior leadership, exercising judgment under uncertainty, and driving clarity and impact across complex initiatives.

The Director also contributes to the evolution of program leadership practices and governance processes as the organization scales. The position is based in Tarsus’s Irvine office in a hybrid work environment, with travel of up to 20% potentially required. It reports directly to the Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO.

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.
• Must be willing 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.
• Ability to connect functional and program strategy with business objectives, synthesize diverse inputs, and make recommendations linked to organizational strategy and financial goals.
• Ability to apply structured decision-making to complex cross-functional challenges and weigh competing priorities and longer-term trade-offs.
• Ability to align diverse teams around shared goals, foster healthy debate, and build strong relationships with functional leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to align teams around priorities, address risks and dependencies, and drive cross-functional accountability.
• Ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable messages for varied stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel as required, up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related discipline.
• MBA or equivalent business training.
• Experience with key regulatory filings (IND through NDA) and/or 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, articulating key 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 Irvine office.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Bonus and stock equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed