Portfolio Manager, Portfolio and Program Management

About Generate:Biomedicines

Generate:Biomedicines is a new kind of therapeutics company – existing at the intersection of machine learning, biological engineering, and medicine – pioneering Generative Biology™ to create breakthrough medicines where novel therapeutics are computationally generated, instead of being discovered. The Company has built a machine learning-powered biomedicines platform with the potential to generate new drugs across a wide range of biologic modalities. This platform represents a potentially fundamental shift in what is possible in the field of biotherapeutic development.

We pursue this audacious vision because we believe in the unique and revolutionary power of generative biology to radically transform the lives of billions, with an outsized opportunity for patients in need. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for impact to join us!

Generate:Biomedicines was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering and has received nearly $700 million in funding, providing the resources to rapidly scale the organization. The Company has offices in Somerville and Andover, Massachusetts with over 300+ employees.

The Role: 

Reporting to the Executive Director of Portfolio and Program Management, Generate is seeking a motivated and energetic Portfolio Manager to enable execution of the goals, objectives, and strategy of assigned early development clinical programs. The successful candidate will work in partnership with Program Leaders and cross-functional Program Teams to enable the translation of program strategy into tactical plans for execution. The successful candidate will have extensive program management, leadership, and drug development experience across the discovery, pre-clinical, and early clinical development space. Individuals will exhibit strong integration, change management, and creative problem-solving skills to contribute to a highly collaborative and integrated culture. The Portfolio Manager must thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous, highly interdisciplinary entrepreneurial environment and have the desire to tackle large challenges. This role presents a unique opportunity to have both a direct hand in driving first-of-its-kind AI-driven therapeutics to the clinic as well as contributing to the development of a first-in-class AI program management function. 

Here's how you will contribute:

Supports portfolio management by:  

• Managing small-to-medium-sized pharmaceutical/functional development programs with multiple workstreams to achieve program outcomes from initiation to close-out.  

• Understanding and applying digital solutions to support data-driven decisions.  

• Developing and executing moderately complex program plans which include scope, time, cost, budget, resources, and risk of project, with some guidance. 

• Monitoring portfolio activity for all programs by using portfolio tools; facilitating functional programs to enable progress. 

• Monitor portfolio performance and escalate risks to ensure project plans and timelines are met. 

• Supporting project/program/portfolio activities related to organizational change management as defined by the program. 

Engages in Team and Resource Management by: 

• Researching and identifying internal and/or external resources to support program demands; identifying gaps in portfolio resourcing plans. 

• Collaborating in internal team meetings to align resources with program objectives, timelines, and expectations. 

• Providing feedback to program members based on standard knowledge of team dynamics, strengths, and weaknesses to improve project/portfolio outcomes. 

Analyzes Program Quality and Effectiveness by: 

• Monitoring and identifying portfolio risks, issues, and trigger events, execute mitigation plans, and escalate risks as appropriate. 

• Conducting program and portfolio management capability assessments and remain up-to-date on industry trends to identify and suggest areas for program/portfolio growth and advancement. 

• Creating high-quality deliverables/results that adhere to applicable guidelines, tools, and templates. 

• Monitoring adherence to policies, procedures, and contracts by ensuring program plans, team members, and vendors follow organizational, departmental, and/or legal guidelines. 

Engages in Stakeholder Management: 

• Developing rapport with internal stakeholder teams and management to develop trusting relationships in support of program/project/portfolio goals. 

• Communicating and presenting program/project objectives in team meetings to gain alignment, buy-in, and coordination across diverse stakeholders. 

• Assisting program teams follow the Research & Development operating model from end-to-end with a fit for purpose approach. 

• Collaborating with key internal stakeholders to develop goals, prioritize deliverables, discuss business processes (e.g. change management, accountabilities), and facilitate decision-making for successful program delivery, with guidance. 

 Build, Coach, and Mentor Team by: 

• Training others on program and portfolio management methodologies and demonstrate good practice through actions. 

• Providing expertise to cross-functional teams on the nature of the program team's work, goals, and objectives. 

• Providing informal mentorship within the work group or program team on execution of program plans, assessing progress, presenting results to various audiences, and adapting to changing program needs. 

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Master's degree in life sciences or business-related field and two (2) years of project, program, or portfolio management or program leadership experience; or Bachelor's degree in life sciences or business-related field and four (4) years of project, program, or portfolio management or program leadership experience; or seven (7) years of experience in project, program, or portfolio management or program leadership experience.  

• One (1) year of biotechnology or pharma industry experience.  

• One (1) year of experience in drug, biotech, medical device, or combination product development across multiple therapeutic areas in discovery or early-stage development. 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent project/program management certification. 

• Ability to work collaboratively on multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment.  

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build alignment and drive resolution of issues while maintaining positive working relationships across functions.  

• Ability to apply advanced project management principles including, but not limited to, identifying critical paths, building and communicating timelines, defining milestones, and setting expectations and accountability.  

• Proficiency with SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Smartsheet, and other PM management workspace collaboration tools.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Agile methodology certification (e.g. PMI-ACP, PSM, AgilePM). 

• Portfolio Certification (e.g., sAFE, PfMP, CFA). 

• Experience in Oncology/Immuno-oncology/infectious disease.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective program management excellence in terms of setting program plans for the lifecycle of a program from discovery through commercial launch.  

Location: This role will be located at our headquarters in Somerville, MA with an onsite presence expected. Open to relocation. 

Generate:Biomedicines is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

COVID Safety:

Generate:Biomedicines enforces a mandatory vaccination policy for COVID-19. All employees must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster.  The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the health of our employees, their families, and the community at large from infectious disease that may be reduced by vaccinations.  The Company will make exceptions to this policy if required by applicable law and will consider requests for an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, or any other exemptions that may be recognized by applicable.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Generate:Biomedicines does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Generate:Biomedicines or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by the Company’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Generate:Biomedicines and the Company will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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