Associate Director, Program Management

Position Overview

This position will be responsible for providing Project Management expertise and support to Nektar projects to ensure all Project milestones and deliverables are met, and that activities are well executed and managed.

Will drive the creation and maintenance of a "Center of Excellence" for the Program Management department, in support of all drug development activities. This includes the creation, sharing, and execution of meaningful metrics to drive the organization to higher levels of performance.

Responsibilities include the day-to-day planning, coordinating and tracking of critical activities. The project manager will be responsible for driving the project timelines to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Typical responsibilities also include: planning, facilitating, and following-up on regular project team meetings; anticipating and managing potential project issues, understanding the scope, schedule and resources for the project, and the utilization of Gantt charts and other project management tools to facilitate communication within the team, across the organization, and with external collaborators. Partners with Project Team or Study Team Leader to optimize team effectiveness and decision making, facilitate team building and communication. Creates and drives timelines to keep project(s) on schedule. Prepares project timelines (Gantt chart) identifying all significant activities, dependencies. Develops and distributes agenda for team meetings. Helps facilitate meetings and keep them on track. Responsible for writing and providing meeting minutes, and driving follow up on action items. Proactively, and independently, identifies and resolves project team challenges. Directs cross-functional project team(s) and drives information compilation and information flow. Communicates project status to all stakeholders in collaboration with the Project Team or Study Team Leader. Works with Program Management Leadership and team to define program-related budget assumptions for annual operating plan. Maintains effective communication within project team through oral and written correspondence. Creates and maintains easily accessible, high level project documents in electronic format. Prepares information with appropriate input from team members for internal as well as external partner review/governance meetings. Demonstrates problem solving and good judgment in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Develops knowledge of current therapeutic environment and drug development trends as needed. Contributes to the development of the Program Management Department through introduction of new tools and processes. Responsible for establishing and developing cross-functional teams to support research and development process and may identify optimal opportunities for product. Organizes interdepartmental activities ensuring completion of the project on the schedule and within budget constraints. This job contributes to and supports the company's research and development efforts to create high value therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. Ensures budgets, schedules and performance requirements are met. Directs the decision making process within the team; suggests and implements alternatives to meet changing program goals; resolves team and program issues/conflicts through strategic planning and the application of project management best practices to ensure program objectives are met. In cooperation with functional area managers, ensures that resources assigned to the program are adequate to meet program objectives and identifies resource constraints. Makes recommendations as to whether program or project activities should be outsourced for greater resource efficiency. Reviews and revises project work plans to accommodate changes in technical, marketing, or business objectives and communicates changes accordingly. Participates in work related professional organizations and represents the Company in appropriate professional public forums. Integrates scientific and business objectives to maximize program success. May manage other junior program management staff.Other. Duties as assigned.

Minimum of a BA/BS in a scientific discipline is required, while an advanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MS, MBA, MD) is desirable in a discipline related to drug development or business. Certification in Project Management is preferred. Continuing education in Project Management best practices is required. A minimum of 10 years experience in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Products or other related industry is required. A minimum of 8 years management experience is preferred. Prior experience in managing interdisciplinary or cross functional pharmaceutical or medical device product development teams is required. Oncology experience highly desirable. Previous experience working with corporate partners or acting as a liaison is required. Understanding of FDA regulatory processes and prior experience with regulatory filings is highly desired. Participation in an executive steering committee for pharmaceutical or medical device product development is required. A working knowledge of basic financial accounting is required. Strong computer skills with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and Project are required. We seeking a tech savvy, tools-oriented person who can assist with developing and optimizing tools such as SharePoint, Smartsheet, OnePager, etc. to generate essential outputs such as dynamic consolidated timelines, program announcements, file/folder system construct and maintenance, document workspace for shared reviews/collaboration, calendar builds and dissemination, intranet read/write access/restrictions, and other creative approaches to assist with cross-functional integration and communication. Demonstrated ability to develop, manage and lead cross-functional teams. Ability to relate and work with wide range of people (internal and external) to achieve results. Ability to drive project plan and timelines (across multiple functional areas) essential. Proven success in goal setting, prioritization and time management. Proactive individual with strong leadership, facilitation, teamwork and influence management/negotiation skills. Proven ability to proactively identify risks and drive resolution of issues. Ability to work independently for decision-making and resolution of project obstacles and conflicts. Familiarity with developing budgets and forecasting desirable. Keen insight, independent judgment and tactful discretion are required. Business acumen a big plus. Ability to deal with ambiguity. Self-motivated, flexible and resilient. Commitment to professional development of oneself, team members and department. Must be able to demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving capabilities. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Must be able to demonstrate strong organizational skills.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Nektar Therapeutics will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in the manner proscribed by the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.