Senior Project Manager / Program Director

Senior Project Manager / Program Director

Location: Zürich, Switzerland –12 Month Contract with Extension

Job Description

As a Senior Project Manager / Program Director, you will play a central role in leading and coordinating the execution of a fast-growing biotech startup’s scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercialization roadmap. The organization operates at the forefront of innovation, developing next-generation therapeutic and formulation technologies within a highly agile and research-driven environment.

You will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of multiple integrated R&D programs, translating complex scientific objectives into clear, executable development plans while driving alignment across internal teams and external partners.

In this role, you will oversee cross-functional program execution across early- to mid-stage translational development, supporting the advancement of innovative therapeutic platforms in a highly dynamic startup setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the execution of multiple integrated R&D programs, including Clevergum, Clicktromics, Project Trident, and Neutralize
• Serve as the central coordination point between internal scientific teams, external collaborators, CROs, vendors, and manufacturing partners
• Manage program timelines, budgets, deliverables, and resourcing across complex, multi-workstream development programs
• Drive operational execution across chemistry, formulation, regulatory, and manufacturing functions
• Translate scientific and technical objectives into structured, executable development plans
• Run regular governance activities including weekly program reviews, milestone tracking, and risk management sessions
• Ensure alignment across all stakeholders and maintain clear communication channels throughout program execution
• Oversee external vendor and CRO performance, ensuring quality, compliance, and delivery against agreed timelines and budgets
• Support investor reporting, partner communications, and strategic program updates
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies across multiple development streams
• Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio prioritization discussions with senior leadership
• Support the scaling of a fast-moving, innovation-led biotech startup environment

Essential Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in program/project management
• Proven experience biotech or pharmaceutical industry
• Proven experience managing complex translational R&D programs in biotech or pharma environments
• Strong exposure to peptides, biologics, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), or advanced formulation technologies
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional scientific, technical, and operational teams
• Strong understanding of end-to-end development pipelines, including chemistry, formulation, regulatory, and manufacturing
• Experience working with CROs, CDMOs, vendors, and external scientific collaborators
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus
• Experience within Swiss or broader European biotech startup ecosystems preferred

Practicalities:

• Location: Zurich, Switzerland
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Start date: ASAP
• Duration: 12-month contract followed by an extension

Interested?

Send your CV to Khanyi Mabena at [email protected] or contact directly on +41 44 551 4407 to learn more.