GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured.
The Role
Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.
We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.
GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.
For more information, please visit grail.com
GRAIL is seeking an Associate Director, Program Strategy & Operations, to be a key leader in the centralized program and project management function. This role will manage a team of PgMs who support complex, cross-functional initiatives across Global Development & Operations (“GDO”), and Quality, Regulatory, and Compliance (“QRC”). They will ensure alignment with enterprise strategy and drive cross-functional delivery in a global, matrixed environment. This includes the day-to-day administration, execution, and monitoring of critical initiatives.
This is a highly visible people-leadership role requiring strong systems thinking, cross-functional collaboration, change leadership, and deep expertise in program and project management within complex, regulated environments. Serve as a player–coach, balancing people leadership responsibilities with direct ownership and delivery of key GDO/QRC initiatives.
This role is based at our Durham, North Carolina, office and offers a flexible working arrangement. It offers a flexible work arrangement, with the ability to work from GRAIL's office or from home. Our current flexible work arrangement policy requires that a minimum of 60%, or 24 hours, of your total work week be on-site. Your specific schedule, determined in collaboration with your manager, will align with team and business needs and could exceed the 60% requirement for the site.
Responsibilities
- Lead a centralized program and project management capability for Global Development & Operations, and Quality, Regulatory, & Compliance, while enabling deep embedded functional expertise within these areas.
- Implement and continuously improve operating mechanisms, tools, and standards that drive consistent program and project delivery across GDO and QRC.
- Ensure strong alignment between enterprise/product strategy and execution within GDO and QRC portfolios.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration across all functional areas supported.
- Ensure the integrity, consistency, and quality of program resource and budget data to enable accurate forecasting and portfolio decision-making.
- Oversee cross-functional program and project execution, including planning, integrated timelines, and risk management.
- Build and nurture a high-performance program management community focused on excellence in planning, execution, communication, and stakeholder management.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of business and technical program and project managers across GDO and QRC, with growth potential.
- As needed, drive and deliver cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and program roadmaps.
- Demonstrated level of knowledge regarding applicable regulatory standards commensurate with the position's complexity and scope, contributing to organizational regulatory compliance.
These responsibilities summarize the role’s primary responsibilities and are not an exhaustive list. They may change at the company’s discretion
Required Qualifications
- Typically requires a BS/BA degree & 12+ years of related experience, or Masters & 8+ years of related experience, or PhD & 5+ years of related experience.
- Experience managing programs and projects in research & development, operations, quality, regulatory & compliance. Proven experience leading and developing program/project managers and cross-functional project teams.
- Strong track record of influencing and aligning senior stakeholders across functions in a matrixed environment.
- Experience with program governance, risk management, and execution metrics in regulated, high-complexity industries.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated change management skills, including driving adoption of new processes, tools, or operating models.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and executive presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complexity into clear insights and recommendations.
The expected, full-time, annual base pay scale for this position is $165K-$218K.
This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.
GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.
GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!
What the Team is Saying
Neda Ronaghi
Strategy and Operational Excellence Associate Director
Ruth Mauntz
Staff Bioinformatics Scientist
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Tristan Matthews
Senior Director, Software Engineering
David Jenions
Principal Automation Engineer
Satnam Alag
SVP, Software Engineering
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GRAIL Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options, comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, and strong mental health programs are described, with employer HSA contributions up to $3,000 for the HDHP. These elements indicate a well‑rounded health offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Flexible time off is highlighted, with examples of unlimited/FTO policies working well in practice. Paid holidays and company winter breaks further support time away from work.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — New‑hire equity grants that vest over four years and a discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan are positioned as meaningful parts of total compensation. Ongoing eligibility for additional equity is also noted.
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The Company
What We Do
GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is using the power of high-intensity sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop and commercialize pioneering products.
Why Work With Us
Everything we do is guided by our mission to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. It’s the reason we’re here, and it’s no small task. The right people make all the difference. That’s why we’re looking for those who strive to share their knowledge, contribute their skills, inspire each other and commit to something bigger than themselves.
Gallery
GRAIL Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
GRAIL has a variety of work types depending on the roles. Some roles are onsite like a lab role, some are fully remote like our Galleri Sales Consultant roles. Others are hybrid with 2-3 days onsite. Typically Tuesday and Thursday.
Typical time on-site:
2 days a week
