Program Manager- R&D

About COUR

COUR is a clinical stage biotech company with a mission to restore health in autoimmune patients by developing first-in-class, disease-modifying, targeted therapies to safely regulate and calm the immune system. Our portfolio consists of three mid-to-late-stage proprietary programs: PBC, myasthenia gravis (MG), and type 1 diabetes (T1D), and our platform positions us to broaden our impact in antigen-specific autoimmune conditions.

About The Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Program Manager to support our Research & Development function. The Program Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the execution of projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and meet the highest standards of quality. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating across departments, managing project timelines and resources, tracking milestones, and ensuring smooth communication between research staff and other stakeholders. This role requires a mix of strong project management skills, scientific understanding, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Project Planning

What you'll do

• Collaborate with research scientists and senior leadership to define project scope, goals, and deliverables.
• Develop detailed project plans, including schedules, resource requirements, and risk assessments.
• Align project goals with broader organizational objectives and strategic initiatives.
  
  

Project Execution & Coordination

• Lead day-to-day management of research projects, ensuring all tasks are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Coordinate resources, equipment, and personnel across various teams to ensure project milestones are achieved.
• Monitor project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and adjust plans as needed to keep projects on track.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with stakeholders across different departments (e.g., R&D, Clinical, Regulatory) to ensure timely and efficient communication.
• Foster a collaborative environment, addressing any challenges that may arise in interdepartmental collaboration.
  
  

Risk Management

• Identify potential risks to project timelines, budgets, or quality, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Proactively monitor project risks and issues, making recommendations for corrective actions where necessary.
• Maintain a risk register and track the status of risk mitigation activities.
  
  

Timeline & Milestone Tracking

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, including task dependencies, deadlines, and critical milestones.
• Track project milestones, ensuring that key deliverables are achieved on time.
• Regularly update senior leadership and stakeholders on project status, including any potential delays or roadblocks.
  
  

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including progress reports, meeting notes, and status updates.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on the status of research projects, highlighting key accomplishments, issues, and next steps.
• Ensure all project documentation is organized and easily accessible for future reference or audits.
• Ensure that research projects adhere to relevant quality standards, protocols, and regulatory requirements
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field. Advanced degree and/or PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience with early-stage drug development a strong preference
• Minimum of 4 years of program management experience, preferably in a research, scientific, or technical environment.
• Proven experience managing complex projects with cross-functional teams.
• Experience in research or R&D environments, with a solid understanding of the research process and methodologies.
• Familiarity with project management tools.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to handle ambiguity.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  
  

315 - R&D Program Management (Reg/Med Aff)

Skokie, IL