Program Management Specialist

Job Title : Assistant Manager – Program Management

Location : Hyderabad

Department : Program Management

Reporting To : Head – Program Management

Business Unit : Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD)

Position Overview

The Assistant Manager – Program Management will be responsible for end-to-end coordination, planning, and execution of Drug Discovery projects across multidisciplinary scientific teams including Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, DMPK, Process R&D, and Analytical functions. The role acts as a bridge between clients and internal project teams, ensuring delivery excellence, compliance, and scientific alignment with client expectations and organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

Coordinate and manage multiple Drug Discovery / Integrated programs across Chemistry, Biology, and DMPK functions.

Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and dashboards using project management tools.

Ensure adherence to project milestones, budget, and quality requirements.

Track deliverables and proactively highlight risks, delays, or dependencies to internal stakeholders.

Client Communication & Stakeholder Management

Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring effective communication and regular project updates.

Schedule and facilitate periodic project review meetings, MOMs, and follow-ups.

Partner with scientific leads to prepare and deliver technical presentations and project progress reports.

Cross-Functional Coordination

Work closely with Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Analytical, and DMPK teams for seamless execution.

Coordinate with Supply Chain, EHS, QA, and Facility teams for project logistics and compliance.

Drive timely data collation, compilation, and documentation for project closure and invoicing.

Risk & Quality Management

Identify and monitor potential project risks; develop mitigation plans in consultation with scientific and operational leads.

Ensure adherence to internal quality systems, client confidentiality, and regulatory standards (GLP, ISO, PSCI, IMS).

Business Support & Reporting

Support proposals, budgeting, and resource estimation for new and ongoing projects.

Maintain project metrics and KPIs for monthly management review.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and best practices in project management.

Qualifications & Experience

Master’s degree in Life Sciences / Pharmacy / Biotechnology / Chemistry or related field.

5–8 years of experience in Program / Project Management within CRO, CDMO, or Drug Discovery organizations.

Strong understanding of the Drug Discovery workflow — from hit identification to candidate nomination.

Hands-on experience in client communication, project planning tools (MS Project, Kytes, etc.), and cross-functional coordination.

Key Skills & Competencies

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Excellent planning, analytical, and organizational abilities.

Proficiency in MS Office, Excel, and project tracking tools.

Scientific understanding of discovery and preclinical functions.

Collaborative mindset with attention to detail and delivery focus.

Behavioral Competencies (Aligned to PI Values)

Curious : Demonstrates learning agility and interest in scientific processes.

Creative : Identifies innovative solutions for project challenges.

Courageous : Takes ownership and drives decision-making under ambiguity.

Caring : Builds trust-based relationships with clients and internal teams.