Senior Director, Program Management

Akebia Therapeutics•Waltham, MA

11h•$249,811 - $308,590•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, R&D Program Lead will lead the cross-functional development program for ebribafusp alfa (AKB-097), currently in Phase 2, and may take responsibility for additional early-stage Akebia programs as they advance from research. The role sets program strategy, aligns functional plans with corporate and portfolio objectives, and drives execution through key development milestones and decisions. It requires strong drug-development expertise, strategic judgment, and the ability to lead and influence high-performing teams in a matrix environment. The position is based in a flexible, “magnet not mandate” in-office work environment. Akebia encourages in-person collaboration and onsite engagement while supporting hybrid flexibility according to role and business needs. The offices have recently relocated to Waltham, Massachusetts. The role requires an advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD) and 10–15+ years of program leadership experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry. The targeted base salary is $249,811–$308,590. Regular employees are also eligible for a corporate bonus program or incentive compensation program, as applicable, and equity. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, and PTO.

Requirements

Advanced degree required, such as a PhD, PharmD, or MD.
10–15+ years of program leadership experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
Thorough understanding of the Program Lead discipline and drug development at all stages.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex drug-development project strategy and deliver on project plans, timelines, progress, and outcomes.
Demonstrated experience leading and motivating cross-functional teams and managing direct reports.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Innovative approach to problem-solving and an integrated view of business and scientific issues.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional program teams for ebribafusp alfa and other assigned development programs, establishing objectives, priorities, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
Develop and drive integrated program strategy, including the target product profile, development plan, milestones, decision points, and value-creation opportunities.
Translate corporate and portfolio priorities into executable cross-functional development plans, timelines, and budgets.
Integrate scientific, clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, operational, and competitive perspectives into program strategy and decisions.
Ensure program teams and functional subteams deliver high-quality work against objectives, timelines, budgets, and corporate commitments.
Lead scenario planning, identify risks, dependencies, and trade-offs, develop mitigation and contingency plans, and escalate significant issues as appropriate.
Guide programs through critical development milestones, including clinical data readouts, regulatory interactions, indication prioritization, and advancement decisions.
Represent the program to R&D, portfolio, and executive governance bodies, presenting status, strategic options, risks, and recommendations.
Maintain an integrated program plan and documentation, including milestones, decision logs, risk registers, budgets, and governance records.
Promote accountability, scientific rigor, collaboration, and timely decision-making; coach and develop team members and direct reports, as applicable.
Perform other program and portfolio leadership responsibilities as assigned.