VP of Program Management & Strategy

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow. Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

Bionova is a rapidly growing, biologics CDMO focused on developing and manufacturing recombinant protein products using mammalian cell culture processes. Our business success is built on bringing together top scientific talent, arming them with the best available tools, and setting them loose in an agile, energized culture focused on solving difficult client problems. Because our success depends on our ability to exceed our clients’ expectations, we look for candidates with an innate desire to serve. Adaptability and an interest in transformative action are also common attributes among our team. Bionova became a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Medical in May 2022, a division of Tokyo-based Asahi Kasei Group. This acquisition has enabled Bionova to greatly accelerate growth of the business, both in capacity of current service offerings and expansion into new service offerings.

Company:

Bionova Scientific LLC

Job Description:

This role directs, mentors, and manages the Program Management team, owning successful delivery of multiple client engagements from proposal through GMP execution - including scope, timelines, budgets, and profitability. Working closely with the Executive and Site Leadership Teams, the role also carries broader strategic and operational responsibility for the company, translating Bionova Scientific's corporate goals into managed programs and deliverables that cement its position as a leader in the CDMO sector.

The position combines hands-on program leadership - client relationships, project plans, risk management, and team development - with the coordination, tracking, and executive-communication responsibilities, facilitating relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Location: Fremont, California

Program & Project Management

• Direct, mentor, and manage the Program Management team in the strategic planning and execution of multiple concurrent client engagements.
• Own successful project delivery across tight timelines, scope of work, and cost/profitability for contracted activities spanning development through GMP execution, across pDNA and mammalian development programs.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, work hours, budgets, and expenditures for each client engagement; create a project management calendar for fulfilling each program goal and objective.
• Assure accurate transfer of contracts from proposal through project completion, ensuring all project documentation and frameworks are maintained appropriately.
• Organize, attend, and regularly participate in stakeholder and client meetings; chair and facilitate meetings where appropriate, documenting and distributing minutes and following up on key actions and decisions.
• Assess project risks and issues and provide solutions where applicable; ensure stakeholder views are managed toward the best outcome.
• Develop and maintain strategic business partnerships and client relationships; provide technical and scientific expertise to current and prospective clients.
• Develop and present proposals, acting as technical expert or in partnership with cross-functional experts (Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, etc.).
• Gather client feedback, suggest new products/services, and make recommendations for improving existing service offerings.
• Communicate and collaborate cross-departmentally with directors, supervisors, and scientists to ensure program alignment and support company objectives and milestones.
• Effectively prioritize multiple concurrent programs, monitor progress of ongoing activities, and implement course corrections as needed using project management and process-improvement disciplines.

Program Management Team Leadership

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and offboarding of Program Management staff, with appropriate approvals, to maximize resource utilization and profitability.
• Ensure all direct reports receive training, mentorship, and supervision that supports high engagement and a strong pipeline of PM talent.
• Provide supervisory duties for direct reports, including annual reviews, monthly coaching sessions, performance plans, and career development.
• Coach, mentor, and train the PM team in pursuit of excellence, building a high-performing, client-focused function.
• Champion Bionova’s reputation for Science, Quality, Speed, and Service, improving processes to optimize workflows, resource management, and productivity across programs.
• Serve as liaison between program teams, staff, and leadership on client satisfaction, program status, and site-wide planning.

Strategy & Leadership Support

• Act as “thought partner,” broker for the senior leadership team on internal and external matters relevant to program delivery and company strategy.
• Coordinate and/or host routine leadership meetings - Revenue Forecasting, Leadership Meetings, Strategy Sessions, and Project Review Meetings - tracking action items and reporting progress on program and portfolio status.
• Monitor and report progress on key strategic initiatives to the CEO, triaging and escalating issues as appropriate to sustain momentum.
• Support the development of executive-level presentations and board materials, including program and portfolio updates; attend executive/board meetings to capture and distribute notes.
• Translate corporate strategy into program-level deliverables that can be measured and managed.

Working Conditions

• This position operates primarily in an office environment, with regular walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching, and occasional independent lifting/moving of up to 20 pounds.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree - life science discipline or related field required
• 15+ years of experience in a GMP facility or biologics program/project management, including a strong background in strategy execution
• Broad experience across recombinant protein and/or other biologic production (mammalian and related technologies), spanning early development through GMP manufacturing
• Proven ability to anticipate and remediate problems, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, influence, and communication skills capable of engaging a CEO and senior leadership team, as well as clients and cross-functional teams within a matrix organization.
• Experience working in high-growth, collaborative, entrepreneurial organizations, with a strong work ethic and comfort delivering against challenging commitments.
• Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; strong commitment to quality, attention to detail, and proven ability to lead teams.

The base compensation range for this role is $260,000-$295,000. Base Compensation is influenced by many factors including, but not limited to: time in the role, previous experience, skills, knowledge, performance, work requirements, internal equity, and business / economic conditions.

As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.