Program Manager - Cell & Gene Therapy Research
Location: London
Reporting to: Director – Program & Portfolio Management
Job Summary
Orchard Therapeutics, recently acquired by Kyowa Kirin, is a global biotechnology gene therapy company dedicated to transforming the lives of people affected by rare diseases through the development of innovative, potentially curative gene therapies.Our ex vivo autologous gene therapy approach harnesses the power of genetically modified blood stem cells and seeks to correct the underlying cause of disease in a single administration. Orchard has its global headquarters in London and U.S. headquarters in Boston. Reporting to the Director, Program & Portfolio Management, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on cutting edge Gene Therapy programs, supporting cross-functional teams across all stages of the development process phases from research to commercial, enabling the achievement of program milestones and goals.
We are seeking a Program Manager who has a good understanding of the pharma/biotech research process, who is goal-driven, proactive, meticulous and highly collaborative and who seeks an opportunity to take the next career step to grow and learn in a fast-moving, pioneering and dynamic environment.
Key Elements and Responsibilities- Partner with the Research Lead of the relevant program(s) to manage all aspects of assigned gene therapy research programs of varying degrees of complexity.
- Work with the functional members of the Product Development Team (PDT) to translate asset strategy, determine key deliverables and milestones and create a realistic and efficient operational project plan utilizing Smartsheet or other appropriate tools.
- Track progress of projects against plan. Collect metrics to track project progression and measure key deliverables, to ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Define productive, decision-making focused agendas for team meetings capturing minutes and following up on actions to ensure on time resolution.
- Highlight project risks and facilitate problem-solving, contingency planning, and decision-making to resolve problems and minimize delays.
- Leverage cross-functional relationships to ensure coordination, communication and integration within the PDT by sharing information and holistic program updates.
- Consolidate program metrics to support portfolio progress reporting.
Requirements
Required knowledge
The ideal candidate for this position will possess:
- Minimum of five years of experience within the biotechnology or pharma industry. With two of those in project/program management.
- Understanding of the overall pharmaceutical research process including pre-clinical, research and CMC.
- Experienced and successful in working in a matrix organization.
- Highly capable in creating complex projects plans and leading effective tracking processes to enable teams to complete projects on time and within budget
- Ability to build and maintain relationships internally and externally and at all levels.
- Excellent organizational, task prioritization and communication skills.
- Proficiency in using Project Management tools, Smartsheet, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Working knowledge of US and European regulatory requirements
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary industrial environment.
Education
A minimum BSc or equivalent in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Chemistry or an associated discipline