Sr. Program Manager

Syner-G•Thousand Oaks, CA

1d•$140,000 - $183,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership and drive alignment, execution, and operational excellence across critical product development and business initiatives supporting next-generation protein sequencing technologies. This role will function in a Chief of Staff capacity, helping translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, facilitate executive decision-making, establish governance and operating mechanisms, and drive accountability across a portfolio of high-impact initiatives. The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of experience leading complex cross-functional programs within biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, or related industries, along with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, executive presence, operational rigor, and the ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline required.
15+ years of progressive experience in program management, portfolio management, business operations, strategy execution, PMO leadership, Chief of Staff functions, or related leadership roles within biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, medical device, pharmaceutical, or other regulated industries.
Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership teams and driving complex cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.
Experience leading enterprise-level programs supporting product development, organizational priorities, business operations, or strategic transformation initiatives.
Experience supporting the development and commercialization of scientific instruments, consumables, assays, reagents, kits, or platform-based technologies preferred.
Strong understanding of stage-gate product development processes, design controls, risk management, product lifecycle management, commercialization planning, and governance frameworks.
Experience supporting strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and organizational goal-setting processes.
Demonstrated experience operating in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments requiring strong organizational leadership and execution discipline.
Experience working within regulated environments and partnering with quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and commercial functions.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, and project/program portfolio management tools.
Experience developing executive dashboards, governance materials, business reviews, program reporting, KPI frameworks, and executive-level presentations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
PMP certification preferred; MBA or equivalent business leadership credentials highly desirable.
Exceptional executive communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, problem-solving, and decision-support capabilities.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, establish structure, and effectively prioritize competing business needs.
Experience supporting executive operating rhythms, leadership decision-making processes, and organizational governance forums.
Deep understanding of product development, commercialization processes, organizational effectiveness, and change management principles.
Strong portfolio management, risk management, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to synthesize complex technical, scientific, operational, and business information into actionable recommendations for executive audiences.
Demonstrated success building consensus, managing conflict, and driving accountability across diverse teams and leadership groups.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal skills, executive presence, and judgment, with the ability to build credibility and influence at all levels of the organization.
Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels to ensure successful business and program outcomes.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to executive leadership on critical business, product development, and organizational priorities.
Translate strategic objectives into actionable programs, operating plans, governance structures, and measurable outcomes.
Support strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and roadmap development across key business initiatives.
Drive executive operating rhythms, including leadership meetings, business reviews, strategic planning sessions, and stakeholder communications.
Lead a portfolio of high-priority cross-functional initiatives spanning research, product development, operations, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial functions.
Establish program structures, governance models, accountability frameworks, and performance metrics that improve visibility, alignment, and execution.
Facilitate executive decision-making by synthesizing complex information, identifying tradeoffs, and presenting clear recommendations.
Monitor portfolio health, resource allocation, program performance, risks, and dependencies, providing leadership with actionable insights and escalation recommendations.
Develop and maintain executive dashboards, KPIs, status reports, presentations, and reporting frameworks that support informed decision-making.
Drive accountability by tracking commitments, decisions, milestones, action items, and strategic deliverables across leadership teams.
Identify organizational risks, execution challenges, and opportunities for improvement, proactively recommending solutions and corrective actions.
Lead special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of executive leadership.
Implement program management best practices, tools, and processes that improve organizational effectiveness, collaboration, and execution discipline.
Support organizational change initiatives associated with business growth, transformation efforts, and evolving strategic priorities.
Foster alignment, transparency, accountability, and collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups while influencing outcomes without direct authority.
Ensure strategic initiatives remain aligned with business objectives and deliver measurable value to the organization.