Executive Director of Project Management

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and execution-focused Executive Director of Project Management to lead cross-functional program management across Pinnacle’s peptide discovery and development portfolio. This individual will serve as a core member of the development leadership team and will be responsible for driving integrated program strategy, governance, timelines, and resource alignment from early discovery through IND-enabling activities and into early clinical development.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing complex drug development programs in biotech environments and has demonstrated success aligning scientific, regulatory, CMC, and external partner functions to deliver milestone-driven outcomes. The position will be reporting to the Head of Translational Science.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee cross-functional program management across discovery and development programs.
• Partner with Research, DMPK, Bioanalytics, Toxicology, CMC, Regulatory, and Clinical teams to build and maintain integrated development plans.
• Drive scenario planning, risk mitigation strategies, and milestone forecasting to support portfolio prioritization.
• Establish and manage governance structures, including program reviews and executive updates.
• Ensure alignment of timelines, budgets, and resources with corporate strategy.
• Identify and proactively resolve program risks, bottlenecks, and cross-functional conflicts.
• Lead external program oversight for CROs, CDMOs, and strategic collaborators as needed.
• Develop scalable project management processes appropriate for a growing biotech organization.
• Support due diligence activities and business development evaluations.

Qualifications

• Requires a PhD or MS in life sciences, or equivalent experience, with a minimum of 10 years of drug development program management experience in biotech or pharmaceutical environments.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through IND-enabling programs and early clinical development.
• Strong understanding of nonclinical, CMC, regulatory, and early clinical development processes.
• Experience implementing governance frameworks and portfolio management tools.
• Exceptional communication, influence, and executive presentation skills.
• Preferred Skills
• Experience with peptide or macrocyclic drug development.
• Experience building PM functions in early-stage biotech settings.
• PMP certification or formal program management training preferred.