Senior Director of Program Management

Location: Newark, CA

Senior Director of Program Management | ATUM

ATUM is a leader in cell line development, gene synthesis, and protein engineering. We are seeking a strategic Director of Program Management to spearhead our customer-facing project portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on bridging the gap between complex scientific execution and world-class client service. The Director will lead and mentor a high-performing team of Project Managers and act as a critical partner for our executive-level clients to ensure every project exceeds rigorous scientific and commercial standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Portfolio Management: oversee a full suite of services—from gene synthesis to protein design to cell line development—to ensure alignment with corporate revenue and growth objectives.
• Operational Leadership: establish and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and project management frameworks to improve efficiency and maintain customer service standards.
• People Management & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and scale a team of Project Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence.
• High-Level Risk Mitigation: identify systemic bottlenecks across projects (e.g., resource shortages, deviations from expected results) and implement enterprise-level solutions.
• Financial Accountability: support portfolio-wide budget/profitability analysis and financial forecasting across all service lines. 
• Client communication: ensure transparent and timely communication providing regular updates, managing expectations, and facilitating communication between the sponsor and scientific teams.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the long-term vision for the Project Management department, aligning operational workflows with ATUM’s overarching commercial business goals.

Qualifications

• Education: An advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Biotechnology to provide technical oversight of complex scientific activities.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in a CRO or pharmaceutical setting, with a minimum of 7 years in a dedicated project management leadership role.
• Certifications: Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional) are highly recommended.
• Skills: Expert-level proficiency in managing cross-functional matrix teams, strategic planning, and navigating complex client-contract relationships. 
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Tools: Familiarity with project management software and data management systems. 

Why ATUM?

• Innovative Environment: Be at the forefront of the next-gen biotech revolution in Quantitative Biology.
• Culture of Excellence: Enjoy a collaborative atmosphere with excellent growth opportunities.
• Perks & Benefits: Free daily catered lunch, comprehensive health benefits, PTO, and a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor plan.

Compensation Range: $170K - $200K