What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Program and Alliance Management position at Orna Therapeutics?
Orna Therapeutics is an innovative biotechnology startup based in Watertown, MA, committed to developing groundbreaking therapies for diseases that current approaches cannot address. With our pioneering circular RNA technology, developed at MIT, we are at the forefront of advancing the next generation of RNA therapeutics. Our state-of-the-art expression and delivery platform positions us to tackle complex diseases, including B cell-driven autoimmune disorders, B cell malignancies, sickle cell disease, and beyond.
We’re looking for a motivated and proactive Program & Alliance Manager to drive execution across complex internal and partnered R&D programs. In this role, you'll collaborate with scientific and operational leaders to shape and deliver on program strategies that advance our mission to bring forward novel medicines for patients with unmet needs.
You’ll oversee cross-functional program operations, guide timelines and milestones, and anticipate challenges by staying close to the science and day-to-day progress. Applying best practices in project and alliance management, you’ll facilitate team decision-making, manage efficient meetings and follow-up, generate key deliverables, and serve as a critical link between our internal teams and external collaborators.
Responsibilities
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Individuals seeking employment at Orna Therapeutics are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
We’re looking for a motivated and proactive Program & Alliance Manager to drive execution across complex internal and partnered R&D programs. In this role, you'll collaborate with scientific and operational leaders to shape and deliver on program strategies that advance our mission to bring forward novel medicines for patients with unmet needs.
You’ll oversee cross-functional program operations, guide timelines and milestones, and anticipate challenges by staying close to the science and day-to-day progress. Applying best practices in project and alliance management, you’ll facilitate team decision-making, manage efficient meetings and follow-up, generate key deliverables, and serve as a critical link between our internal teams and external collaborators.
Responsibilities
- Oversee multiple complex scientific programs and partnerships, and collaboratively drive the execution of the program strategies to achieve both program and corporate milestones. Act as alliance point of contact for external collaborations and ensure the successful execution of Joint Research Committees and joint project team meetings.
- Oversee the organizational and contractual aspects of the research collaboration
- Develop and guide program strategy and facilitate team decision making for the program, working in partnership with the Research Leadership Team.
- Work with the Program/Team Lead, to develop and maintain detailed program milestones and timelines.
- Be familiar and close enough to details of the science, programs, and day-to-day activities to be able to anticipate any potential program issues.
- Apply project management best practices including timelines, development of meeting agendas, streamlined and efficient meeting management, and distribution of meeting minutes and efficient follow up of action items.
- Generate presentations and project summaries as needed.
- To provide other organizational and business support where necessary including interactions with key partners, academic collaborators and CROs.
- MS in a relevant discipline and 5 years of experience in a research or biotech/pharma setting.
- Experience working with RNA-based therapeutics.
- Proven track record of successful project management experience in a biotech/pharma setting.
- Demonstrated proficiency in program management tools and methodology. Willingness to constantly improve PM tools and implement change management.
- Experience in early drug development including the transition of novel candidates from discovery through IND-enabling preclinical studies.
- Prior experience managing or working within cross-functional teams with timeline management and budgetary responsibility.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, sometimes fluid environment and able to foster a strong collaborative spirit.
- Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
- Preferred: PMP certification or other program management training, but not mandatory.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Individuals seeking employment at Orna Therapeutics are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
