VP, Program Leader

When our people share why they joined Rapport and love it here, it comes down to three things: the science, the mission, and the team. At Rapport, we're driven by a passion for developing precision neuromedicines with the potential for fewer side effects, enabling patients and their families to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives. And we're doing this with extraordinary science and awesome people (affectionately called Rapptors).

Our innovative scientific platform is centered on Receptor Associate Proteins (RAPs). RAPs are a component of neuronal receptor complexes, which play a crucial role in regulating receptor assembly and function. This precision approach has the potential to revolutionize the development of small molecule therapies. We are excited about the potential of our lead program, RAP-219. Our first indication targets focal epilepsy with additional clinical trials in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS) and bipolar disorder.

The strength of Rapport comes from our Rapptors – who are united by our mission to improve patients lives. We bring the heart and hustle to advance our science forward, always staying true to our core values. We hope you're as excited about this opportunity as we are!

We anticipate hiring for this role in mid-Q4. This role is located in Boston, MA with an onsite requirement of Monday-Wednesday every week.

Your impact:

Translatecompellingscienceintoa clinic-ready programs with the speed and rigora maturing biotech demands.

Your day-to-day:

• Serve as the single accountable leader for two assigned programs (RAP-641 and one other) from late discovery and IND-filing and through Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials.
• Build and lead cross-functional program teams (Discovery, Toxicology, CMC, Regulatory, Clinical, Biostatistics,New Product Planning) to align on target product profile,integrateddevelopmentstrategy, andkey study designsthatalign with corporate goals and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to shape IND-enabling package strategy and pre-IND/IND interactions with health authorities
• Translate preclinical and translational data into clear go/no-go criteria and decision frameworks for governance bodies and the executive team
• Partner with Program Managers to develop and manage integrated program timelines, budgets, and risk registers; proactively identify and mitigate technical, regulatory, and operational risks
• Serve as the primary internal voice of the program in portfolio reviews, board updates, and investor-facing materials, in partnership with Commercial and IR
• Build strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and external partners (CROs, CDMOs, consultants, etc.)
• Mentor junior program management staff and help build program management capability as the organization scales

Must-Haves:

• PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant scientific or clinical field.
• 15+ years of biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience, with proven leadership in small molecule drug development.
• Significant experience leading cross-functional programsfromdiscoverythroughIND submission andearlystagesof development
• Strong understanding of regulatory pathways and expectations for small molecule therapeutics.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strong scientific fluency across pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical development, with the judgment to synthesize input from technical experts into clear strategic recommendations
• Track record operating effectively in small, resource-constrained organizations - comfortable with ambiguity and direct execution, not just oversight
• Excellent executive communication skills; experience presenting to senior leadership and boards

What makes Rapport special:

• Every role has…