Director/Sr. Director, Program Management

Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company developing targeted therapies for ophthalmology using an integrated patient data platform combining genomics with longitudinal clinical and imaging data. The Director/Sr. Director of Program Management will lead cross-functional program planning and execution from discovery through commercialization, translating strategy into integrated plans to deliver value-creating milestones.

• Partner with Project Team and functional heads to establish and maintain integrated program plans and manage critical paths to key milestones.

• Develop, track, and manage comprehensive program timelines and budgets.

• Drive development and implementation of program plans, goals, budgets, and timelines; ensure functional alignment and accountability.

• Collaborate with Finance and functional leaders to forecast program budgets and resource needs.

• Ensure program strategy, planning, and execution align with management expectations and priorities.

• Develop scenarios and recommendations to support decision-making across governance bodies.

• Strengthen and lead cross-functional Project Teams, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and urgency; facilitate meetings to resolve critical path bottlenecks.

• Identify program risks early and develop contingency plans with the Project Team to protect milestone delivery.

• Deliver accurate, timely communications by framing context, documenting decision rationale, and tailoring messages to diverse audiences.

• Education: BA or BS in life sciences required; advanced degree preferred.

• Experience: 8+ years (Director) to 10+ years (Sr. Director) in drug development and program/portfolio management; experience advancing programs from early phase through late-stage execution; ophthalmology/retina experience preferred.

• Technical: Expert proficiency building and maintaining integrated Gantt timelines (MS Project); strong critical path methodology and understanding of interdependencies across Toxicology, CMC, Clinical Operations, and Regulatory Affairs.

• Leadership: Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership and collaboration.

• Core skills: Ability to manage competing priorities; rapidly gather and disseminate critical information; exceptional organization and communication; executive stakeholder engagement; able to work independently under tight deadlines.

• Preferred: PMP certification.

• Work authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.

• Employment type: Full-time.

• Work arrangement: Hybrid / Remote.

• Compensation: Base salary range (annual) Director: $205,000-$250,000; Senior Director: $240,000-$280,000; plus equity.

• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision; 401(k); accrued paid time off; equity incentives.

• EEO: Equal opportunity employer.