Director Program Management

Purpose

The Director, Program Management partners with cross-functional project leads to drive programs from concept through commercialization. This role ensures cohesive execution across R&D, CMC, regulatory, clinical, and commercial functions—delivering on time, within budget, and to quality standards. The Director provides strategic and operational leadership, proactively identifies and mitigates risks, and ensures clear communication and accountability across teams. The position also serves as an independent voice in shaping program strategies and updating senior leadership on progress, risks, and portfolio impact.

Responsibilities 

Strategic & Program Leadership

• Develop and execute program strategies aligned with Ocugen’s corporate goals and development priorities.
• Serve as the primary program contact for cross-functional leadership, ensuring alignment on priorities, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Translate corporate objectives into actionable, measurable plans and milestones.
• Drive consistency and scalability of program management principles, tools, and governance across programs.
• Partner with cross-functional leads to maintain a high-performing, well-aligned team that operates with transparency and accountability.

Operational Oversight & Governance

• Oversee all stages of assigned programs, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Anticipate and manage program risks, dependencies, and interconnections across functions; implement mitigation and contingency plans.
• Lead effective change management when program scope, timelines, or priorities shift.
• Oversee vendor selection, contracts, and ongoing performance for external partners (CDMOs, CROs, etc.).
• Partner closely with Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to ensure readiness for key milestones and phase transitions.
• Report program progress, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership and governance forums at defined intervals.

Team & Stakeholder Leadership

• Act as an integrator across functions to align strategy, resources, and execution.
• Facilitate data-driven, science-based decision-making and communicate implications of decisions to all stakeholders.
• Coach and mentor project leads and functional partners to strengthen program leadership capability and execution discipline.
• Promote continuous improvement and drive adoption of best practices in project management, governance, and communication.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented environment that supports constructive dialogue and cross-functional problem solving.

• Master’s degree in a scientific discipline or related field required; Ph.D. preferred.
• 12 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology experience, including 5 years leading cross-functional development teams.
•  Comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end drug development process, including CMC, clinical operations, regulatory strategy, and commercialization readiness.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex programs through multiple stages of development.
• Strong command of program management tools and methodologies; PMP certification desirable.
• Proven ability to think strategically, influence across functions, and execute in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills with the ability to navigate sensitive issues effectively.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project or Smartsheets, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to quality and delivery excellence.

Working conditions

This position operates in an office setting, in person. Job may additionally require incumbent to be available outside of these hours to handle priority business needs.

Physical Requirements

This is a mostly sedentary role.

Ocugen is an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we make all of our employment decisions based upon merit, qualifications, abilities, and an individual’s conduct and performance. We will not make any of our decisions, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including sexual orientation, gender identity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under the law. Ocugen complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.