Vice President, Portfolio and Program Management

The Vice President of Portfolio & Program Management will provide strategic leadership and operational excellence for a growing biotech company focused on developing new therapies for NI&I. A successful candidate will have a foundational expertise in project management, with an established track record in managing all phases of clinical-stage programs, with required experience in early stage through Phase 2, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams. This individual must be a strategic thinker with excellent communication and organizational skills to drive our therapeutic candidates toward regulatory approval and commercialization.

The Vice President of Portfolio & Program Management will be a key leadership figure responsible for the successful execution of our clinical development programs and with strategic input into the broader portfolio. This individual will oversee all aspects of project management, from strategic planning to operational execution, ensuring that our clinical trials are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory standards. The individual (and/or the individual’s team) will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Clinical Research, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, CMC, and Research, to ensure seamless coordination and communication across the organization.

In this role, the VP will drive the coordinated cross-functional execution of programs from early research through clinical development, oversee portfolio strategy, and lead key preclinical and clinical initiatives. The VP will also establish and implement governance structures tailored to the scientific and operational challenges inherent in advancing a varied and high-impact portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain an integrated, data-driven portfolio strategy aligned with corporate vision and scientific priorities
• Lead portfolio review processes, ensuring timely, evidence-based decision-making and clear resource allocation across programs
• Evaluate and prioritize internal programs and external opportunities, including partnerships, licensing deals, and platform extensions
• Conduct scenario planning, risk assessments, and investment trade-off analyses to guide strategic direction
• Oversee or directly lead key development programs spanning discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages
• Drive creation and execution of integrated, cross-functional program plans encompassing research, translational, clinical, regulatory, CMC, and commercial considerations
• Ensure programs meet timelines, budgets, and milestones; actively identify risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies
• Maintain transparent reporting systems and dashboards for executive leadership, governance committees, and the board
• Partner with Research, across Clinical Development functions, and with other internal teams to ensure alignment and operational excellence
• Facilitate clear communication and decision-making across all program teams
• Support readiness for key milestones such as IND submissions, clinical trial initiations, regulatory interactions, and strategic partnerships
• Together with the CMO, establish and refine clinical development team and governance frameworks that enable efficient and high-quality development activities, clear decision-making structures, that facilitate clear communication and a documented alignment in R&D strategy
• Build and mentor a high-performing PPM function tailored to the needs of a small, rapidly growing biotech
• Implement best practices in project planning, resource management, and cross-functional communication
• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration across the organization

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a scientific or medical discipline relevant to inflammation, immunology, and/or fibrosis or to drug development (PhD, MD, PharmD strongly preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in biotech/pharma, including significant time leading development programs in inflammation, fibrosis, immunology, and/or neurosciences – experience specific to pulmonary fibrosis is viewed positively
• Demonstrated success managing programs from Pre-IND, through Phase 2 and Phase 3 registrational trials; experience in early through or mid to late-stage clinical development is required
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a small, fast-paced biotech environment

Benefits

We offer a competitive total compensation package, as well as working in a supportive team environment. The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA or Seattle, WA is $240,000- $270,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type, and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Contineum offers competitive compensation and benefits including:

·         90% employer-covered benefits

·         Flexible PTO

·         A very generous holiday schedule that includes a week off in August and time off around the winter holidays

·         A well-stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages

·         Additional benefits include the opportunity for annual bonuses, stock options, an Employee Stock Purchase Program, and a 401(k) with an employer match.

·         The comprehensive wellness program includes medical, dental, vision, and LTD coverage.