Scientific Program Manager

Arc Institute•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

We are seeking a Scientific Program Manager to help coordinate and drive strategic research initiatives across Arc Institute. In this role, you will support the orchestration of complex, multi-disciplinary projects that span our Technology Centers encompassing cellular models, mammalian models, genome engineering, multi-omics, computational biology, and machine learning. A core part of this role is tactical: gathering critical information from across the institute, identifying and mapping key stakeholders for each initiative, and building the relationships needed to keep ambitious scientific programs moving forward. You will synthesize what you learn into clearly framed options and recommendations so that Technology Center leaders can make well-informed decisions quickly. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in biological research combined with growing program management skills, sharp instincts for information gathering, and a talent for building trust across diverse scientific teams. You will work closely with institute leadership to facilitate effective cross-functional collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries in complex disease areas and cell modeling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences or a related field
5+ years of industry experience in program management, project coordination, or research operations in a research or translational setting
Background in one or more relevant biology areas (genome engineering, multi-omics, advanced cellular disease models, etc.)
Demonstrated strength in information gathering, stakeholder identification, and building productive working relationships across scientific teams
Track record of synthesizing complex information into clear options and actionable recommendations for decision makers
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects in research environments, balancing competing priorities while maintaining focus on strategic objectives
Experience designing and implementing project tracking systems for scientific research
Excellent communication skills with proven ability to engage effectively with research scientists, experimentalists, and senior management
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams
Experience with advanced project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Asana, Jira, Smartsheet)

Nice To Haves

PhD in Life Sciences or a related field
Experience with computational biology or machine learning projects
Background in supporting therapeutic development
Track record of process improvement initiatives in research settings
Experience in stakeholder mapping or organizational network analysis in complex scientific organizations

Responsibilities

Proactively gather and synthesize information from across Technology Centers to maintain an accurate, up-to-date understanding of project status, dependencies, risks, and resource needs.
Identify and map key stakeholders for each initiative, building a clear picture of who needs to be involved, informed, or consulted at each stage.
Build and maintain strong working relationships across research teams, Technology Center leaders, and Core Investigators to facilitate trust and open communication.
Develop clearly framed options, recommendations, and decision packages that give institute leadership the information and optionality they need to make timely, well-informed decisions.
Coordinate research initiatives that span multiple Technology Centers, ensuring clear communication of objectives, timelines, and dependencies.
Support the facilitation of regular cross-functional meetings to drive progress, surface blockers, and ensure effective resource allocation.
Design and implement project tracking systems tailored to the needs of scientific research teams.
Track and communicate project progress to stakeholders at multiple levels, from technical teams to institute leadership.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement solutions to increase research efficiency.
Contribute to the development of program management best practices for a research-intensive environment.