Associate Director, Global Project Management- Drug Development

Associate Director, Global Project Management
- Drug Development

Kyowa Kirin is a global specialty pharmaceutical company backed by more than 70 years of breakthrough life science innovation, dedicated to discovering and advancing treatments for diseases in which unmet need is greatest. Based in Japan with worldwide operations, we work across the continuum from drug discovery to commercialization, guided by our commitment to patients and their families.

Our research teams, located in California and around the world, are focused on developing the next generation of antibody, cell, and gene therapies, with particular emphasis on bone and mineral disorders, hemato-oncology, and rare diseases. We accelerate development through collaborations with industry, academia, patients, and healthcare providers, and since 2018 we have introduced four new therapies serving patients with progressive illnesses often in need of new therapeutic alternatives.

Our culture is grounded in our values:
Commitment to Life
, Integrity
, Innovation
, and Teamwork/Wa
, and brought to life through the Kabegoe Principles, which define the behaviors and actions that guide how we work together to deliver meaningful impact for patients.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and mindful of the countless individuals still waiting for their own breakthroughs. A commitment to making people smile unites our efforts. Learn more

Summary:

The Associate Director, Global Project Management is responsible for leading cross-functional project management activities for global clinical-stage drug development programs and providing project management support across One Kyowa Kirin. This role partners with cross-functional teams to develop and execute integrated project plans, facilitate governance and decision-making, manage project timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. The Associate Director applies established project management methodologies, tools, and best practices to support the successful execution of development programs while fostering collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence across the organization.

The role also contributes to the achievement of annual business objectives through cross-functional leadership and enterprise project support.

Essential Functions:

• Lead cross-functional project management activities for global clinical-stage drug development programs, serving as the project integrator to align strategy, execution, and decision-making across functional areas.
• Develop, maintain, and execute integrated project plans, including project scope, timelines, milestones, critical path, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with approved governance decisions and development objectives.
• Drive project execution by proactively identifying, assessing, and managing project risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities; facilitate development and implementation of cross-functional mitigation and contingency plans.
• Manage project budgets and resource plans by developing integrated budget and FTE forecasts, monitoring performance against approved plans, and recommending changes through established governance and change control processes.
• Facilitate effective cross-functional communication, governance, and decision-making by coordinating project meetings, maintaining core project documentation, and ensuring timely, transparent reporting of project status, risks, and key decisions.
• Ensure project teams adhere to established global development processes, governance requirements, and project management standards, while applying appropriate project management methodologies, systems, and tools.
• Influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment without direct authority, fostering collaboration, accountability, and timely delivery of project objectives.
• Partner effectively with internal stakeholders across One Kyowa Kirin and with external alliance partners to support integrated program execution and achievement of business objectives.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Global Project Management function by driving process improvements, standardizing best practices, supporting organizational change initiatives, and sharing lessons learned across programs.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to project team members and colleagues to strengthen project management capabilities and promote organizational excellence.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Requirements:

Education
Bachelor's degree in life science (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy), engineering, or a related scientific discipline is required. An advanced degree (e.g., M.S., Ph.D., Pharm.D., M.B.A., or equivalent) is preferred. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly preferred. Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher is also preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years of project management experience in the pharmaceutical,…