Senior Director of Program Management

Atum - DNA 2.0•Newark, CA

About The Position

ATUM is a leader in cell line development, gene synthesis, and protein engineering. We are seeking a strategic Director of Program Management to spearhead our customer-facing project portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on bridging the gap between complex scientific execution and world-class client service. The Director will lead and mentor a high-performing team of Project Managers and act as a critical partner for our executive-level clients to ensure every project exceeds rigorous scientific and commercial standards.

Requirements

An advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Biotechnology to provide technical oversight of complex scientific activities.
10+ years of progressive experience in a CRO or pharmaceutical setting, with a minimum of 7 years in a dedicated project management leadership role.
Expert-level proficiency in managing cross-functional matrix teams, strategic planning, and navigating complex client-contract relationships.
Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with project management software and data management systems.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional) are highly recommended.

Responsibilities

Oversee a full suite of services—from gene synthesis to protein design to cell line development—to ensure alignment with corporate revenue and growth objectives.
Establish and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and project management frameworks to improve efficiency and maintain customer service standards.
Lead, mentor, and scale a team of Project Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence.
Identify systemic bottlenecks across projects (e.g., resource shortages, deviations from expected results) and implement enterprise-level solutions.
Support portfolio-wide budget/profitability analysis and financial forecasting across all service lines.
Ensure transparent and timely communication providing regular updates, managing expectations, and facilitating communication between the sponsor and scientific teams.
Develop and execute the long-term vision for the Project Management department, aligning operational workflows with ATUM’s overarching commercial business goals.