Program development Jobs in San Diego, CA

About the Role:

Lead program management for the company's highest-value, highest-visibility programs, setting strategy and execution standards at the therapeutic area and portfolio level. Drive late-stage clinical development and commercial launch execution, partnering with the cross-functional asset team to translate development, brand and access strategy into launch-ready plans that deliver critical milestones on or ahead of schedule. Own integrated planning, scenario and trade-off analysis, and executive and governance decision support so leadership can make timely prioritization and investment decisions. Build program management capability and new ways of working across the organization, and escalate the program and organizational issues that require senior management action.

Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):

• Serve as the strategic partner to Program Team Leads and cross-functional stakeholders, including clinical development, commercial, market access, technical operations, regulatory, safety, and medical affairs, to develop, align, and execute integrated program strategy within the therapeutic area and portfolio context.
• Drive launch readiness for the highest-value assets, aligning the franchise to a single integrated launch and life-cycle management plan inclusive of follow-on assets.
• Prepare and facilitate senior leadership and governance discussions, framing strategic options, trade-offs, risks, and clear recommendations so decisions are made with speed and conviction.
• Own the integrated program plan, schedule, and budget, including critical path and dependency analysis, scenario planning, resource constraints, milestone tracking, and performance reporting, with a consistent bias toward accelerating time to market.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage program risks, issues, and interdependencies, driving mitigation strategies and timely escalation when appropriate.
• Lead post-launch life-cycle management and inline portfolio programs, including indication expansion, geographic rollout, and label-enhancing studies.
• Lead Program Team meetings and cross-functional forums, and build the senior stakeholder relationships that sustain alignment, transparency, and accountability for decisions and follow-through.
• Translate portfolio priorities into resource and investment recommendations for senior management, including go/no-go, acceleration, and de-prioritization scenarios across the highest-value programs.
• Identify and implement process improvements, tools, and innovative approaches that enhance program execution, decision-making, organizational effectiveness, and portfolio management capabilities.
• Manage external vendors, consultants, and associated budgets, as required, ensuring alignment with program objectives, timelines, and expectations.
• Mentor and develop Program Managers and other team members, providing coaching, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.

Requirements:

• BS/BA degree in a life science.
• 15+ years of multidisciplinary experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• 5+ years operating within a late-stage (Phase 3) and/or commercial asset team model, with direct accountability for launch execution and post-launch performance.
• Direct program leadership accountability for at least one major product launch.
• Experience leading complex, high-value, cross-functional programs through late-phase development, regulatory submission, launch, and life-cycle management.
• Experience managing interdependencies across key drug development and commercialization functions, including research, pharmaceutical development, non-clinical, clinical, manufacturing and supply, commercial, market access, and medical affairs.
• In-depth understanding of late-phase development and commercialization, including IND/CTA and NDA/BLA submissions and post-launch life-cycle management.
• Working knowledge of launch-critical commercial functions, including brand strategy, market access and pricing, demand forecasting, supply readiness, and launch excellence metrics.
• Advanced knowledge of drug development processes and the interdependencies among research, pharmaceutical development, non-clinical, clinical PK/metabolism, clinical research, manufacturing, commercial, and medical affairs.
• Advanced knowledge of project/program management practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Experience leading high-value programs within a cross-functional, matrixed organization and influencing stakeholders without formal authority.
• Experience driving cross-functional alignment, consensus, and timely decision-making.
• Experience providing strategic direction on complex issues with enterprise-wide impact.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership and stakeholders across organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or other advanced degree in a life science or related discipline.
• Global and ex-US development and/or product launch experience.
• Experience with MAA submissions and launch sequencing across the US, EU, and Japan.
• Experience serving as a strategic or technical advisor across an organization.
• External recognition or demonstrated subject-matter expertise within the relevant functional area.
• Experience coaching and developing employees and/or other leaders.
• Experience working across multiple programs or assets at different stages of development.
• Experience operating effectively in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.
• Demonstrated application of innovative approaches to complex program or business challenges.