Principal Program Manager - Drug Discovery (CMC/Toxicology)

2w2 weeks ago

Calico Life Sciences

South San Francisco, US · Full-time · $188,000 – $200,000

About this role

Calico Life Sciences is an Alphabet-founded R&D company harnessing advanced technologies to understand aging biology and devise interventions for longer, healthier lives. The Alliance and Program Management group seeks a Principal Program Manager to support CMC and Toxicology across Drug Discovery and early Development. This role partners with scientific, technical, and operational leaders to ensure effective planning and execution.

The Principal Program Manager coordinates complex cross-functional programs from early development through IND readiness, including internal and external CRO/CDMO collaborations. Drive integrated planning, track execution against timelines and budgets, and identify risks and interdependencies. Balance strategic portfolio perspective with detailed oversight of individual workstreams for alignment on scope and deliverables.

Work closely with Drug Discovery, Development, Regulatory, Quality teams, and external partners. Facilitate team meetings, governance forums, and partner engagements to document decisions and drive accountability. Enable clear communication and decision-making across stakeholders.

Contribute to portfolio-level planning, prioritization, and process improvements within Alliance & Program Management. Serve as alliance manager for select partnerships, managing relationships and issue resolution. Advance medical breakthroughs in an innovative environment with curiosity-driven science and a vibrant drug pipeline.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a life science or engineering discipline required; MS or PhD preferred
6+ years of program or project management experience in biotech or pharmaceutical drug development, with direct exposure to CMC and/or toxicology programs
Working knowledge of CMC development including drug substance/drug product development, manufacturing, formulation, analytical methods, and supply
Working knowledge of nonclinical toxicology and safety assessment
Experience managing cross-functional teams in discovery and IND-enabling efforts
Proficiency in tracking timelines, budgets, and risks in early drug development
Experience coordinating CRO/CDMO activities for CMC and toxicology studies

Responsibilities

Lead and manage medium to large, cross-functional CMC and toxicology programs supporting drug discovery and IND-enabling activities, including external CROs, CDMOs, and partners
Develop and maintain integrated project plans and timelines across CMC, nonclinical safety, regulatory, and discovery interfaces
Coordinate and manage external engagements with CROs and CDMOs, ensuring alignment on scope, deliverables, timelines, and communication
Partner with Finance and functional leaders to track budgets, forecasts, and spend for CMC and toxicology programs
Facilitate cross-functional team meetings, governance forums, and external partner meetings; document decisions, risks, and action items
Regularly assess program status, identify risks and interdependencies, and propose mitigation strategies
Support portfolio-level planning, prioritization, and resource allocation across CMC and toxicology activities
Serve as alliance manager for selected external partnerships, managing relationships, performance, and issue resolution