Senior Project Manager / Program Director, Zürich (Kreis 11)

Senior Project Manager / Program Director Location: Zürich, Switzerland –12 Month Contract with Extension

Job Description As a Senior Project Manager / Program Director, you will play a central role in leading and coordinating the execution of a fast-growing biotech startup’s scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercialization roadmap. The organization operates at the forefront of innovation, developing next-generation therapeutic and formulation technologies within a highly agile and research-driven environment.

You will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of multiple integrated R&D programs, translating complex scientific objectives into clear, executable development plans while driving alignment across internal teams and external partners.

In this role, you will oversee cross-functional program execution across early- to mid-stage translational development, supporting the advancement of innovative therapeutic platforms in a highly dynamic startup setting.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate the execution of multiple integrated R&D programs, including Clevergum, Clicktromics, Project Trident, and Neutralize

Serve as the central coordination point between internal scientific teams, external collaborators, CROs, vendors, and manufacturing partners

Manage program timelines, budgets, deliverables, and resourcing across complex, multi-workstream development programs

Drive operational execution across chemistry, formulation, regulatory, and manufacturing functions

Translate scientific and technical objectives into structured, executable development plans

Run regular governance activities including weekly program reviews, milestone tracking, and risk management sessions

Ensure alignment across all stakeholders and maintain clear communication channels throughout program execution

Oversee external vendor and CRO performance, ensuring quality, compliance, and delivery against agreed timelines and budgets

Support investor reporting, partner communications, and strategic program updates

Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies across multiple development streams

Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio prioritization discussions with senior leadership

Support the scaling of a fast-moving, innovation-led biotech startup environment

Essential Skills&Experience

10+ years of experience in program/project management

Proven experience biotech or pharmaceutical industry

Proven experience managing complex translational R&D programs in biotech or pharma environments

Strong exposure to peptides, biologics, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), or advanced formulation technologies

Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional scientific, technical, and operational teams

Strong understanding of end-to-end development pipelines, including chemistry, formulation, regulatory, and manufacturing

Experience working with CROs, CDMOs, vendors, and external scientific collaborators

Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus

Experience within Swiss or broader European biotech startup ecosystems preferred

Practicalities

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Employment Type: Full-time

Start date: ASAP

Duration: 12-month contract followed by an extension

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