Senior Manager, Program Management (Drug Development)

Job Title: Senior Manager, Program Management (Drug Development) Annual Base Salary: DOE, $166,000-$190,000 along with bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package Location: Los Angeles, CA Our Mission Formerly known as the Ellison Institute of Technology Los Angeles, the Ellison Medical Institute strives to spark innovation, leverage technology, and drive interdisciplinary, patient-centered research to continually enhance health, reimagine and redefine cancer care, and transform lives. Established in 2016 as a medical research and development center, the Institute features innovation labs for artificial intelligence and molecular analytics and was among the first organizations to vertically integrate the interdisciplinary study and treatment of disease. We offer multifaceted programs, including a preventative medicine and cancer clinic, cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a health policy think-tank, and community outreach and educational programs. Please visit emila.org for more details. Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Program Management (Drug Development) to drive the execution of our lead program as it advances toward IND filing. This role will be critical in establishing operational excellence, shaping cross-functional program planning, and ensuring timely and high-quality regulatory submissions. The Senior Manager will initially serve as the primary operational leader coordinating across functions and external partners, and will evolve to manage a growing project management team as the company expands. Why You Should Join Us: Shape the Future of Oncology: Drive the operational path of our first oncology program into the clinic, with the chance to directly impact patient outcomes in an area of high unmet need. Science Meets Patients: Work at a Institute with an on-site clinic, where translational science and patient care are tightly connected. High Visibility: Collaborate directly with scientific founders, executive leadership, and clinical partners; no layers of bureaucracy. Job Accountabilities: Lead cross-functional program planning and execution for the Institute’s first development candidate through IND filing and early clinical development. Develop and manage integrated project plans, timelines, and budgets across R&D, preclinical, CMC, regulatory, and clinical functions. Anticipate and resolve program risks, bottlenecks, and interdependencies to ensure milestones are achieved on time and within budget. Partner closely with regulatory affairs to drive high-quality IND-enabling study packages and regulatory submissions. Establish scalable, fit-for-purpose project management processes, tools, and reporting that enable efficiency and transparency in a start-up environment. Serve as the primary point of operational alignment for internal teams, consultants, and CRO/CDMO partners. Provide clear communication of program status, risks, and mitigation strategies to senior leadership as appropriate. Build, mentor, and eventually lead a small team of project managers as the portfolio grows. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Required Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or related field preferred. Required Experience: 8+ years of biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience, with at least 5 years in program/project management roles. Required Skills: Demonstrated track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams through IND-enabling studies and at least one IND filing. Strong understanding of drug development processes, including preclinical, CMC, regulatory, and early clinical operations. Experience in a start-up or lean environment strongly preferred. For the safety and health of employees, guests, and patients, the Ellison Medical Institute may mandate vaccination requirements for employment. The Ellison Medical Institute's policies are always subject to review and change to ensure they are appropriate under the circumstances. The Ellison Medical Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that an inclusive, collaborative team environment is just as important to our mission as stethoscopes and microscopes. We strive to always provide employees a supportive atmosphere, so they feel confident taking creative risks toward innovation. The Ellison Medical Institute values emotional intelligence and communication with empathy and respect for others. We seek to build a diverse group of people who are curious, have a deep sense of responsibility, and the grit needed to achieve excellence. #LI-Hybrid