Senior Program Manager (Contract)
About The Position
Umoja Biopharma is seeking a solutions-oriented temporary Program Manager to lead execution of development programs in a fast-paced biotech environment. The role provides program and project management across the portfolio, emphasizing cross-functional coordination, IND-enabling activities, and regulatory submissions. The Program Manager ensures that scope, timelines, risks, dependencies, and decisions are clearly defined, actively managed, and communicated. In close collaboration with scientific, clinical, CMC, regulatory, and technical operations partners, the role translates development strategy into actionable plans, supports submission readiness, and drives accountability for critical deliverables. The position may also support portfolio reporting, operational activities, and broader strategic initiatives. The position requires being in person at the office at least two days per week. The salary range is $66.83–$82.79 per hour.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related discipline.
- At least 8 years of program/project management experience in biotech or pharma leading cross-functional development programs, specifically managing IND-enabling execution and submission readiness.
- Experience supporting first-in-human or early Phase 1 programs.
- Experience supporting programs through preclinical development and entry into early clinical development.
- Ability to manage complex timelines, cross-functional dependencies, and risk in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence without authority.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s, PhD, or other advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related discipline.
- PMP or equivalent program/project management certification.
- Cell and gene therapy experience.
- Advanced computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office products.
- Experience as a program manager in a growing or start-up biotech organization.
- Strong understanding of early drug development, including nonclinical, CMC, regulatory, and early clinical activities.
- Experience working in GxP-regulated environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day program and project management for one or more development programs.
- Develop and maintain integrated program plans covering IND-enabling activities, key milestones, assumptions, dependencies, and critical path.
- Coordinate assigned projects and drive alignment and execution across research, nonclinical, CMC, clinical, regulatory, and external partners.
- Facilitate program and project team meetings, including agendas, decisions, action tracking, and follow-through.
- Proactively identify and manage program risks, issues, and dependencies; develop mitigation plans and escalate issues with clear impact, options, and recommendations.
- Support program- and portfolio-level status reporting, milestone tracking, and communication to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Maintain high-quality program documentation, including plans, action trackers, decision logs, and risk summaries.
- Support portfolio-level reporting, PPAS operations, and broader strategic initiatives as required.
Benefits
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) plan through Fidelity, with a 100% match up to the first 4% deferral.
- Generous paid time off policy.
- Employee commuter benefits.
- Cell phone stipend.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
