Director, Program Management

Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA) new kind of pharmaceutical company with a deconstructed R&D environment that prioritizes data driven decision making led by subject matter experts. Centessa is advancing a portfolio of high conviction programs with strong biological validation.

Our asset-centric model offers a unique R&D logic that has been applied by single asset companies to improve productivity. This operating model has minimal centralized infrastructure, reduced hierarchy, and exclusive focus on data driven capital allocation. Our teams are uniquely incentivized to expeditiously interrogate key scientific hypotheses. We believe the asset-centric model can lead to improved success rates for programs with greater speed and modest costs.

 

Description of Role

Centessa is seeking a Director of Program Management to lead one or more high-complexity global R&D programs across the full drug development lifecycle. This role requires deeply integrated program management and drug development expertise, spanning nonclinical and clinical development as well as regulatory, CMC, and related enabling functions. The Director, Program Management partners closely with the Global Team Leader (GTL) to drive cross-functional strategy, planning, and execution, with a strong preference for experience in late-stage development, including Phase 3 programs and global regulatory submissions (e.g., NDA/MAA).

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Global Program Leadership, the Director oversees the development and maintenance of fully integrated program plans, timelines, and risk management frameworks, ensuring alignment on priorities, dependencies, and progress across teams and senior leadership. The role is accountable for driving operational rigor through facilitation of core team meetings, management of dashboards, issues, and risks, coordination of budgets and vendor deliverables, and support of governance processes and regulatory submission activities. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, disciplined decision-making, and the ability to lead complex, fast-moving programs with clarity and confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the GTL (Global Team Leader) to project manage a cross-functional matrix team, and select sub-teams
• Lead the development of and continuously maintain detailed and fully cross-functionally integrated program Gantt chart as a company-wide “Single Source of Truth,” incorporating all relevant dependencies, and provide fit-for-purpose summary views for team use and executive management reviews
• Identify and manage interdependencies, critical path and at-risk activities to support program level scenario planning and risk management strategies
• Develop and maintain relevant dashboards to communicate status and track progress 
• Manage cross-functional team meetings including scheduling, preparing agendas, presentation materials, and minutes that ensure proper follow up of action items
• Develop and maintain issue logs and risks registers, and ensure team proactively resolve issues in a timely manner and that risks are mitigated as appropriate
• Work with cross-functional team and Finance to develop and update budgets, and manage program spend within approved budget
• Manage select external vendors (timelines, budgets, MSA/SOW documents, etc.) and integrate deliverables into program Gantt
• Support development of Governance and Executive presentations
• Provide support for the planning and preparation of documents to a quality standard required for Regulatory/Health Authority submissions
• Contribute to establishment and refinement of best practices, processes and procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or a related field; advanced degree in a scientific discipline preferred
• 10+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech R&D environment, or MS/MBA plus 6+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech R&D, including at least 4+ years in program or project management of highly cross-functional drug development programs
• PMP certification is highly desired
• Proven, end-to-end drug development and registration expertise with deeply integrated cross-functional experience across nonclinical, clinical, regulatory, CMC, and related functions, including early- and late-stage development
• Strong preference for late-stage development experience, including leadership or significant contribution to Phase 3 programs and global regulatory submissions (e.g., NDA and/or MAA)
• Highly motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, and organized self-starter with strong communication, collaboration, interpersonal, and influencing skills to drive outcomes without formal authority and enable optimal team performance
• Excellent analytical skills with demonstrated expertise in facilitating team decision-making; competent in the application of decision analysis methodologies and related tools
• Expert knowledge of project management principles, practices, and standard project management tools
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $190,000 - $250,000. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and participation in our equity program, allowing you to share in Centessa’s long-term success.

Centessa also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.

Work Location

The Director, Program Management is a remote role based in the US, with occasional travel (10% - 15%). 

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Centessa Pharmaceuticals will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.