Senior Project Manager, Biologics R&D – Lead Program

The role

You will manage the day-to-day plan and execution of a lead T-cell engager program, from late-stage research through development candidate nomination and IND-enabling studies. You will keep timelines, risks, budget and cross-functional decisions on track.

What you will do

• Own day-to-day planning and execution of the program across research, nonclinical, CMC and regulatory workstreams.
• Build and maintain project timelines with critical path, milestones, dependencies and deliverables.
• Pressure-test functional timelines and assumptions against standard durations for biologics early development.
• Define key milestones and decisional experiments, and prepare go/no-go decision packages.
• Schedule and run cross-functional meetings, and follow up on action items.
• Coordinate outsourced work with CROs and CDMOs, including timeline integration and issue escalation.
• Track project status and risks, own the program risk register and escalate when risks threaten the critical path.
• Develop scenario plans for critical path decisions and contingencies.
• Track program budget and spend against plan with functional leads and finance.

Required qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, or equivalent) in life sciences or a related field.
• At least 6 years of industry experience in biologics R&D.
• At least 3 years of project or program management with ownership of integrated program plans.
• Proven track record managing antibody or protein therapeutic projects from research through development candidate nomination and IND-enabling studies.
• Working fluency in biologics R&D processes, including nonclinical, CMC (cell line development, process development, developability) and regulatory.
• Experience managing outsourced work with CROs and/or CDMOs.
• Strong analytical, planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication, time management, collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with basic project tracking tools (Smartsheet, Confluence, Google Workspace, etc.).
• Working familiarity with project and program management principles as defined by PMI or similar bodies.

Nice to have

• Experience with T-cell engagers, bispecific antibodies or other immuno-oncology biologics.
• A completed IND filing.
• PMP, CAPM or PMI-ACP certification.
• Comfort with fast-paced, cross-functional start-up environments where processes are still being built.
• Ability to lead without authority and influence diverse teams.
• Passion for science and improving patient outcomes.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Base salary, bonus and equity.
• Open, flexible and friendly work environment.
• Platform to develop long-term careers.
• Summary of Benefits available to all applicants.

Before you apply

• Recruitment agencies: Xaira does not accept agency resumes and is not responsible for fees on unsolicited resumes.

About the company

Xaira Therapeutics is a biotech startup using AI to transform drug discovery and development, including generative AI models for protein and antibody therapeutics. It is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and London.