(Associate) Director, Portfolio/Project Management – R&D

(Associate) Director, Portfolio/Project Management – R&D
About Us
It’s not often that you get the chance to make a real impact on the lives of others, while expanding your own possibilities. You’ll find that rare opportunity at PharmaEssentia. Join us, and let’s transform lives, together.
PharmaEssentia Corporation is a rapidly growing biopharmaceutical innovator. We are leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles to deliver effective new biologics for challenging diseases in the areas of hematology, oncology and immunology, with one approved product and a diversifying pipeline. We believe in the potential to improve both the health and quality of life for patients with limited options today through the combination of rigorous research and innovative thinking.
Founded in 2003 by a team of Taiwanese American executives and renowned scientists from U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today we are listed on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx: 6446) and are expanding our global presence with operations in the U.S., Japan, China and Korea, along with a world-class biologics production facility in Taichung.
Our new research center, PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC), will build upon our invention and discovery-based innovation efforts originally established in Taiwan that led to a transformative advancement for treating polycythemia vera (one of the myeloid proliferative neoplasms). At PIRC, we aim to expand our current expertise in related therapeutic areas and identify novel therapeutic approaches in early to mid-stage discovery and development. Data scientists will leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to inform new target and indication selection. The company is also recruiting talented scientists who have deep knowledge in immunology, translational science, bioinformatics and biologics platforms to develop novel drugs leveraging disease-driving biology, novel technology in protein engineering, antibody discovery and new modalities.
About the Role
As the R&D Portfolio Manager, you will work closely with our Discovery and Clinical Development teams for the planning, coordination, and execution of research and development activities within the Company’s portfolio. This role will be responsible for driving the progression of groundbreaking treatments from early discovery to translational and clinical stages, with a focus on emerging immunotherapies for hematology, -oncology and immunology disease areas.
Reporting to our CSO, you will partner with internal and external team members to ensure timelines and deliverables for the portfolio. Day to day, you will be responsible for staying up to date on the competitive landscape for portfolio projects, current trends in high priority indications and changes in regulatory requirements for IND, all of which may impact overall drug development. This is highly visible and impactful role where you will be working with R&D leadership team to determine the portfolio strategy for the company.
You will also be the point of contact to explore external assets and collaborate with business development team to evaluate and execute external opportunities. In addition to strong drug discovery background, experience specifically with scientific/clinical project management, market analysis and cross function collaboration is ideal, we are looking for a self-motivated individual with strong pharmaceutical industry experience and track record of productivity who wants to grow as our organization and our pipeline continues to develop.
Key Responsibilities

• Project and Portfolio Management: Co-ownership (along with project leaders) of assigned drug discovery program timelines, from project proposal to IND filing. Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and budgets, while ensuring that projects adhere to the established goals and objectives. Partner with the Discovery and preclinical teams to streamline project progression, establishing clear stage gating criteria, processes and efficient decision making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with team members across different functions, including research, clinical development, operations, regulatory affairs, and business development, to ensure seamless coordination of efforts.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify potential risks and issues and proactively implement contingency and risk mitigation plans.
• Resource Allocation: Work with department leads so that all parties are aware of project activity, issues, and contingencies. Work on allocating resources effectively, optimizing the utilization of talent and equipment.
• Alliance and Vendor Management: Support Discovery to contribute to the review and execution of contracts. Ensure efficient and comprehensive communication between external vendors and internal team.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive program documentation, including project plans, reports, and performance metrics. Prepare clear, sufficiently detailed minutes of Project Team meetings and discovery portfolio reviews.
• Scientific Acumen: Strong scientific foundation with the ability to critically analyze and apply evolving scientific information to program design.

Skills & Requirements:

• PhD in immunology, Oncology, biochemistry or related areas with at least 10 years of management experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industries with least 4 years in project leadership.
• Experience as a project leader from an early discovery to IND stage project is strongly desirable.
• Experience in design and management of IND enabling and translational studies.
• Experience with protein-based and/or cell-based therapeutics is strongly desired.
• Sound knowledge of drug development and understanding of FDA and ICH GCP guidelines
• Ability to collaborate across functional areas.
• Experience with external opportunity diligence and business development are preferred.
• Proficiency with program management related tools and maintenance of appropriate project documentation
• Strong communication skill via written document, slide preparation and oral presentation.
• Agile mindset to adapt to evolving needs internally as well as externally.

EEO Statement:
At PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. PIRC believes that diversity and inclusion among our team are critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. PIRC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Staffing agencies should not send resumes to our HR team or to any PIRC employees. PIRC is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies.