Senior Manager, Program Management Operations

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

We are seeking a strategic and highly collaborative professional for the role of Senior Manager, Program Management Operations. This role partners with Program Management Leads to implement governance, operational activities, enable team readiness, and provide portfolio visibility that allows for successful execution across development programs.

The Senior Manager supports PMO initiatives across planning and forecasting, financial enablement, governance, process discipline, tools, data quality, and performance reporting. By partnering with R&D Program Leads, Global Development Teams (GDTs), and cross-functional stakeholders, and senior leadership this individual manages inputs and deliverables, provides visibility into milestones, risks, decisions, and dependencies, and enables readiness for effective program and portfolio decision-making.

The successful candidate will translate complex information into actionable insights, implement improvements to PMO processes and reporting capabilities, and enable operational excellence across the portfolio. This role requires business acumen, sound judgement, and cross-functional collaboration within and outside of R&D while enabling Program Management Leads to focus on strategic program delivery, governance, and team leadership.

Essential Functions Required for Job

• Leads operational planning and execution readiness across assigned programs by partnering with Program Leads, GDTs, PMO colleagues, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate portfolio objectives into clear priorities, deliverables, and governance-ready outputs.
• Drives governance readiness and decision support by shaping agendas, synthesizing stakeholder inputs, preparing decision materials, documenting outcomes, and ensuring action follow-through for key program and portfolio governance forums.
• Owns portfolio reporting and performance insights by developing and stewarding dashboards, metrics, and portfolio views that identify program status, milestones, resource needs, financial implications, risks, and performance trends for leadership decision-making.
• Leads planning, forecasting, financial enablement, and resource planning activities by integrating budget, forecast, capacity, cost, and variance inputs across programs; partners with Finance and Program Leads to assess assumptions, identify implications, and ensure timely program- and portfolio-level reporting.
• Leads integrated timeline and milestone management by evaluating critical paths, dependencies, decision points, and schedule changes; proactively identifies execution risks and partners with Program Leads and GDTs to maintain aligned, decision-ready plans.
• Partners with Program Leads and GDTs to identify, assess, track, mitigate, and escalate program and portfolio risks, issues, and dependencies; implements mitigation and provides visibility for timely discussion and decision-making.
• Leads PMO onboarding and capability-building efforts by designing training materials, process guidance, and tool-adoption practices that improve consistency, adoption, and operational effectiveness across a development program.
• Drives operational innovation by identifying, prioritizing, and implementing improvements to PMO processes, reporting, tools, and governance practices that simplify ways of working and improve portfolio execution.
• Leads complex cross-functional PMO initiatives from concept through implementation, aligning stakeholders, managing dependencies, resolving issues, and delivering measurable improvements to governance, reporting, planning, or portfolio execution.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (general & technical):

• Administers and trains PMO tools, systems, templates, and collaboration platforms—including Smartsheet, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Project, Navigate, Tableau, Think-Cell, Lucen, and portfolio management systems—to promote consistent use, data quality, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Anticipates near-term implications, connects patterns, and considers alternative approaches before recommending a course of action.
• Identifies innovative solutions with wide latitude; creates network and is consulted.
• Understands R&D operations, financial drivers, resource constraints, and PMO practices relevant to assigned work.
• Builds confidence through credibility, sound judgment, and constructive influence without formal authority.
• Demonstrates reliability, prioritization, attention to detail, and accountability for high-quality outcomes
• Is receptive to change, contributes improvement ideas, and helps others adopt new practices.
• Interprets data accurately, identifies meaningful patterns, and communicates concise, actionable insights.
• Learns quickly, seeks feedback, and adapts effectively to changing priorities, tools, and expectations.
• Uses structured thinking and sound judgment to diagnose problems and generate practical solutions.
• Remains effective amid ambiguity and adjusts approach quickly as priorities, structures, or constraints change.
• Builds trust by understanding stakeholder perspectives, expectations, and preferred ways of working.
• Prioritizes work based on stakeholder benefit, portfolio contribution, and efficient use of resources.
• Understands governance principles, decision rights, readiness expectations, and documentation standards.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry

• Foundational knowledge of drug development, portfolio management, governance processes, or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams within an R&D environment.

Travel Requirements:

• Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

People Management

This is an individual contributor role and does not have direct reports or formal people‑management responsibilities.

Travel Requirements:

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

The base salary range for this role is

$143,800.00 - $179,800.00

Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state. Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter. Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential, in accordance with applicable law.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Drug Screening Requirements
Applicants for sales/field, manufacturing, or other designated roles will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) endeavors to make its application process accessible to all. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact SMPA at [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.