Associate Director - Program Management

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Position Summary:

Partners with the Global Program Lead (GPL) and Global Project Manager (GPM) to co-lead the strategic and operational planning and decision-making process with a BMS Global Program Team (GPT) in early and/or late development. The Associate Director PM will provide content expertise to the timing, costs, and resources required for development programs and be able to successfully deliver their program(s) milestones and goals. As the strategic partner and operational lead for development and lifecycle management programs, the Associate Director GPM works to ensure that cross-functional teams operate effectively, fostering positive team dynamics and championing BMS’ operating model. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• The PM partners closely with the Global Program Lead (GPL) and Global Project Manager (GPMT) to lead sub-teams of the Global Program Team (GPT) to drive the development of integrated, efficient, and cross-functional program execution plans. 
• Coordinates and plans the activities for the GPT, including milestone setting, budget forecasting, resource planning, scenario planning, and developing an integrated program plan based on cross-functional inputs and assumptions. 
• Facilitates team goal setting and tracking to ensure adherence to plan and strategy and in preparation for end of year team evaluation process. 
• Manages all associated GPT sub-teams and tracking integrated deliverables and preparing the GPT for governance interactions at program inflection points. 
• The PM is accountable for integrated cross-functional planning bringing together diverse functional plans and strategies, definition of the program operational strategy, management of timelines, budget, quality, and risk assessment and mitigation.   
• The PM works independently to provide best in class operations and project management expertise to drive the GPT and sub-teams toward execution excellence. The PM provides an independent voice to shape the overall project strategy and drive optimal decisions for the broader portfolio value.   
• At the associate director level, the Project Manager (PM) is accountable for one or more GPTs and associates sub-teams of moderate complexity in the early/late development space and is expected to be autonomous in their day-to-day work. The Project Manager may also serve as part of a PM team supporting workstreams of a large, highly complex late stage GPTs with oversight of a Senior PM.  
• Accountable for creating and maintaining a cross-function development plan, timeline and budget for each program and ensuring progress vs. plan.  
• Facilitates effective, science-based business decisions including the generation of multiple development scenarios/options as needed, highlighting interdependencies and downstream impacts (including but not limited to timelines and budget) of strategic decisions. 
• Proactively identifies risks and ensures mitigation plans are implemented. 
• Accountable for communication to team and stakeholders in a transparent and timely manner 
• With the GPL, works to foster a high performing team and monitor the health and operating efficiency of the team as a unit. Leads creation of team norms and operating principles with a focus on cross-functional input and accountability. 
• Develops and coordinates resource and budget planning across functions to assure adequate resources are applied to the project and any changes are highlighted appropriately. 
• Advises on governance expectations and prepares for key decision point discussions with focus on cross-functional input and rigorous debate. 
• For projects that are being jointly developed, works closely with a key strategic alliance partner. 
• Coaches project team members and PM colleagues to drive excellence, accountability, and develops talent pipeline for GPT membership. 
• Change Agent for continuous improvement and transformational initiatives within PM function. 

Reporting Relationship: Reports into a PM Portfolio Lead (Group Lead) or Director, Program Management

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. desirable) in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or other relevant discipline. In addition, PMP certification is desirable. BS/MS degrees in a scientific discipline in combination with 8+ years of drug development experience will be considered. 
• The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience in biotech/pharmaceutical/health care industry; experience in project/portfolio management or leadership of cross-functional matrix teams is a plus. 
• Proven track record of planning and managing complex programs in early and/or late phase drug development with solid understanding of disease area and drug development pathway with the ability to facilitate and contribute to strategic discussions.   
• Expert understanding of the end-to-end processes in drug development and product value assessment. 
• Leadership skills including situational leadership, ability to lead a team of experts and influence without authority.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead matrix teams, knows how to work at the strategic level with the GPL and when to delve deeper to resolve issues and challenges. 
• Experience with commonly used project management tools including but not limited to Microsoft project.  
• Strong communicator able to integrate and succinctly summarize the various parts of a project and effectively tailor messages to audience including senior leaders.  
• Guides GPT and manages preparation of high-quality documents and presentations for review at governance committees. 
• Ensures appropriate GPT membership during the progression of the program. 
• Ability to resolve complex problems and manage difficult stakeholder situations. 
• Ability to lead the development of critical path analyses and scenario planning. 
• Excellent Project Management Skills – drives execution while balancing speed, quality, and cost.  
• Excellent written and verbal skills, (including full professional English proficiency). 
• Must be well-organized and have strong attention to detail with an ability to deal with competing priorities; high level of problem-solving capability and business acumen, ability to balance competing priorities and quickly and objectively drive the team towards a path which maximizes value, while maintaining the end-to-end cross-functional view. 
  
  

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Warsaw - PL: zł471,750 - zł571,650


The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. The final compensation will be determined based on demonstrated experience and in accordance with pay equity principles and applicable employment laws.

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:  If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

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R1606669 : Associate Director, Program Management