Research and Development Project Manager

Role Overview

A confidential biotech start-up in the San Francisco Bay Area is hiring a scientifically minded Project Manager or Senior Project Manager to oversee multiple research programs. This position acts as the program manager for initiatives advancing drug candidates from early discovery through IND, within a lean and fast-moving environment.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on exposure to the preclinical phase of drug development, ideally extending through IND, with experience in biologics or peptide-based therapeutics. Success in this role depends on creative problem-solving, strong collaboration across functions, effective oversight of external research work, and the ability to keep programs moving quickly from preclinical development to IND.

This role will be responsible for coordinating the full project lifecycle, including resourcing, schedules, and budgets, while helping ensure steady and efficient progress from program launch through preclinical development. Support for operations and business development/strategy activities may also be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with scientific program leads to define critical-path work, key milestones, gaps, and risks, then build action plans to keep programs on track.
• Communicate schedule expectations, updates, changes, and any issues clearly and promptly to managers and teammates.
• Establish and maintain systems to monitor internal and external scientific workstreams and associated timelines.
• Oversee contractual elements of outside partnerships and manage communication with CROs, including early escalation when studies or timelines are at risk.
• Track budget forecasts and projections, and reconcile incoming invoices against approved contracts and budgets.
• Build and maintain a centralized system for organizing and storing research-related documents.
• Arrange meetings and deliver project status updates and reports to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Help promote a cooperative, efficient, and positive team culture.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a scientific discipline.
• 3 to 5 years of project management experience in the biotech sector.
• Strong research foundation with a solid understanding of preclinical drug development through IND.

Additional Information

This is a full-time onsite position based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The environment is described as fast-paced and lean, with responsibility spanning multiple programs and frequent cross-functional coordination.