Senior Program Manager, Discovery and Translational Sciences

Gates Foundation • Seattle, WA

6d • $190,100 - $294,700

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager (SPM) will provide strategic and operational support to Vaccines & Biologics and GH Discovery Collaboratory domains to enable the smooth execution of complex high priority, product development programs and enabling sciences which are strategically aligned with the Global Health priorities. You will ensure that product development teams and other stakeholders across the Foundation receive essential strategic and operational support to accelerate informed decisions based on scientific data emerging from diverse sources. This role is critical in managing cross-functional alignment, tracking program progress, coordinating strategic initiatives, and ensuring efficient portfolio processes. Your core responsibilities include building strong relationships with a network of academic and industry grantees and partners and product development teams, understanding their specific needs, and ensuring successful execution of D&TS goals. You will support coordination of the DTS domains and matrix partners in delivering impactful assistance, ensuring all efforts integrated and aligned with the Foundation’s overarching goal of improving access to quality health products in low-resource settings. Additionally, you will spearhead initiatives to continuously gather feedback and implement improvements to optimize support, considering all of this in the context of growing applications for GenAI / LLM / Agents. This Senior Program Manager will partner closely with the Vaccines, Biologics and Collaboratory Deputy Directors to ensure effective and impactful D&TS support for early-stage product candidates at the Foundation. As an initial major part of responsibilities, you will help manage DTS's and other PST’s interrelated efforts to discover and develop transformative products for malaria eradication. In addition, you will help DTS manage high value relationships with critical technology innovation partners (e.g., AI computational protein and vaccine designers), ensuring that our diverse portfolio of technology development projects have clear decision-making criteria and accountable timelines for integration into product development with critical portfolio partners.

Requirements

• We are looking for people who enjoy the challenge of working on problems to create solutions that have the potential for groundbreaking change. We seek a self-starter with proven program/project management skills who can enable the D&TS strategy.
• Master’s degree (MPH, MBA, MS, or equivalent) in business administration, public health, life sciences, pharmaceuticals or a related field or PhD or MD desirable.
• 7+ years of experience in program/project management, business operations, or execution planning.
• Experience managing complex product development programs, cross-functional teams, and business processes and effectively working with other Program Managers
• High emotional intelligence, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving to manage conflicts and build a positive working environment.
• Proven ability to drive strategic initiatives, process improvement, and operational excellence.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget management, resource planning, and support impact tracking.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to identify, organize, and frame issues clearly for discussion and decision making.
• Ability to quickly grasp new technical content and new drug development technologies, partner dynamics, and drivers within the program's scope.
• High adaptability and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• PMP Certification preferred.
• Technical ability to speak at a high level to advanced scientific and quantitative topics in drug development and clinical trials.
• Experience in using GenAI / LLM / Agents to automate operational tasks to reduce resource burden and improve efficiency
• Background in management consulting, change management, or product development strategy.

Responsibilities

• Strategy Development & Execution: Support the D&TS leadership in strategic planning, execution, and operational management. Develop frameworks for evaluating opportunities and optimizing portfolio investments.
• Portfolio & Product Management Support Monitor and track product development progress, ensuring alignment with global health objectives. Maintain a dashboard for portfolio progress and key decision points. Provide analytic and research support to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Business Operations & Process Improvement Identify gaps in execution and recommend solutions to improve collaboration and efficiency. Implement operational best practices such using GenAI / LLM / Agents to automate business workflows. Lead budget management, financial analysis, and operational planning for large scale investments.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management Build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to facilitate alignment and collaboration. Organize and facilitate cross-functional team meetings, working groups, and leadership discussions. Act as a trusted advisor to D&TS leadership, providing insights to guide decision-making.
• Communication & Knowledge Management Develop and maintain strategy and portfolio review materials for leadership meetings. Create and manage content for internal communications, presentations, and training materials. Ensure effective dissemination of insights, best practices, and lessons learned. Support knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance cross-team learning and collaboration. Ability to effectively work with other Program Managers, operational and strategic personnel across DTS and GH.

Benefits

• We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees