Program Director, Healthcare

FWD People • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Program Director, you will serve as the operational backbone of our most complex and strategic client engagements. In this client-facing role, you'll lead end-to-end program management for large-scale, high-value initiatives—including brand launches, omnichannel campaigns, and integrated marketing programs—ensuring seamless execution, regulatory compliance, and exceptional client partnership every step of the way.

Requirements

• 7+ years of program or project management experience, ideally in a healthcare marketing agency or pharmaceutical setting.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, complex client programs from concept through execution.
• Deep familiarity with pharmaceutical regulatory processes, including MLR review, OPDP guidelines, and compliance workflows.
• Experience supporting brand launches and/or managing omnichannel campaign execution.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, competing priorities, and tight timelines simultaneously.
• Strong client-facing presence—able to anticipate needs, communicate proactively, and build trust with senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative leadership style with experience orchestrating cross-functional teams (creative, strategy, medical, account, production).
• Financial acumen, including experience with budget development, scope management, and resource allocation.
• Proficiency with project management tools and platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or similar).
• Adaptable, solutions-oriented mindset with a calm, confident approach to problem-solving under pressure.

Nice To Haves

• PMP, Agile, or similar project management certification.
• Experience in rare disease, oncology, immunology, or specialty pharmaceutical categories.
• Background working with biotech or emerging biopharma clients.
• Familiarity with omnichannel marketing strategy and digital campaign workflows.
• Experience managing vendor partnerships and external production teams.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills for client-facing status updates and strategic reviews.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end project leadership across large-scale, high-value client engagements, including launch planning and omnichannel campaign execution.
• Translate brand objectives and strategic imperatives into actionable project plans, integrated timelines, and cross-functional delivery models.
• Serve as a senior operations lead and trusted partner to clients, providing visibility into project health, timelines, risks, and deliverables with confidence and clarity.
• Orchestrate workstreams across account, creative, strategy, medical, editorial, and production teams to ensure cohesive, aligned delivery.
• Lead integrated planning sessions to align internal teams and client stakeholders around goals, deliverables, and timing.
• Own development and ongoing management of master project plans, milestone maps, and interdependencies across initiatives.
• Ensure seamless integration between brand and corporate-level initiatives, including launch milestones, field readiness, and MLR dependencies.
• Lead internal status meetings and escalation protocols, ensuring visibility across leadership and rapid resolution of issues.
• Ensure all deliverables meet regulatory requirements and are routed appropriately through MLR, legal, and client review systems.
• Proactively identify risks to delivery or compliance and implement mitigation plans with relevant stakeholders.
• Partner with Account and Finance teams to scope projects accurately, develop budgets, track burn across phases, and identify out-of-scope work.
• Mentor and guide junior project managers and coordinators, helping to grow internal talent and strengthen team capabilities.
• Implement best-in-class tools, workflows, and documentation standards that enable team efficiency and scale.

Benefits

• 25 days off per year + 16 paid holidays
• matching 401(k)
• medical, dental & vision
• paid maternity & paternity leave
• home office setup
• yearly team retreats
• a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees