Xaira Therapeutics is seeking an Associate Director, Research Project Manager to oversee the planning and execution of biologics projects from early-stage research through IND submission, aiming to accelerate timelines and improve efficiency in drug development.
Requirements
- Minimum of 8+ years of project/program management experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a focus on biologics.
- Proven track record of managing programs from research through IND filing.
- Deep understanding of biologics R&D processes, including nonclinical, CMC, and regulatory components.
- Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills; able to translate complex scientific ideas into clear plans.
- Proficiency in project management software tools and methodologies; PMP certification a plus.
- Advanced degree (MS, PhD, or equivalent) in life sciences or a related field strongly preferred.
- Comfortable leading projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary project manager for biologics R&D initiatives, ensuring day-to-day execution from early discovery through IND-enabling studies.
- Build and actively maintain detailed and integrated program timelines, including critical path identification, milestone tracking, and scenario planning with clear milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
- Partner with program leads and functional stakeholders to define and track key deliverables and progress across teams, ensuring alignment of scope, timelines and priorities.
- Collaborate with scientific teams to define key project milestones, decisional experiments and translate into actionable, resource-information timelines.
- Coordinate and facilitate planning and documentation of decisive experiments, and update project plans based on results and next steps.
- Use expert-level proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project) to manage task assignments, track progress, and share updates with team members, driving efficiency and transparency across teams.
- Analyze and report regularly on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies to internal stakeholders and functional leaders.
Other
- This position will be based in our South San Francisco, CA office five days per week.
- This position will be required to be on-site in the SSF/Brisbane office. Remote candidates will not be considered.
- Excellent communication, time management collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead without authority and influence diverse teams.
- Passion for science and dedication to improving patient outcomes through innovative biologics development.
