Job Description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are inspired by a single vision – transforming patients’ lives through science. In oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease – and one of the most diverse and promising pipelines in the industry – each of our passionate colleagues contribute to innovations that drive meaningful change. We bring a human touch to every treatment we pioneer. Join us and make a difference.

General Role Description:

Early Development Project Managers (ED PM) provide operational leadership of an asset or a portfolio of assets for a Therapeutic Area (TA)/Thematic Research Center (TRC). They partner with Early Development Program Leads (EDPL) to lead cross-matrix Development Program Teams (DPTs) that are the hub of drug development activities at BMS. The hematology/oncology ED PMs support the portfolio of 4 hematology/oncology TRCs.

The Senior Director Head Hematology/Oncology R&ED PM is a senior, seasoned project manager who leads a group of ED PMs and be accountable for overseeing the cross-functional planning and development required to progress this portfolio of assets from candidate declaration through Clinical PoC. The Head Heme/Onc R&ED PM ensures core common PM principles are applied to the development and execution of program strategy for each program in the) portfolio and provide data and an independent voice to shape the overall portfolio strategy and drive optimal decisions for the broader value.  The primary role of the Sr. Director Head Heme/Onc ED PMs is  to (1) provide oversight of their assigned portfolio in alignment with the Sr. EDPL for each TRC and with TRC stakeholders, (2) coach and mentor the individual contributor PMs and PM Team leads, helping them develop and grow in their role as a PM, as well as understand and support their long-term development goals and (3) support, champion and ensure execution of the R&ED PM and RDSP vision to enable an industry-leading PM organization. The Sr. Dir., Heme/Onc head may sometimes be asked to partner with an EDPL to lead 1-2 Early Development Program Teams (E-DPTs) and successfully shape and execute the project and drug development strategies.

The Senior Dir Heme/Onc ED PMs works with their counterparts from other TAs (across early and late development), the Business Operations and Strategic Initiatives Leads and the Heads of Research & Early Development PM, Late Development PM and to build a PM team empowered to deliver on the BMS commitment to transform patients’ lives through science.   As part of the R&D Strategy and Planning (RDSP) organization, PM TA heads are extended leadership team members and, as such, may interact broadly with stakeholders across the BMS enterprise up to and including the BMS executive leadership team. In addition to the functional responsibilities within PM, the R&ED PM TAH works in close collaboration with TRC leadership – contributing to the TRC strategy and driving operations for the portfolio within their assigned therapeutic area.   They ensure PM deliverables are available and accurate to support cyclical business processes, e.g., governance and operations reviews, portfolio optimization, annual budget, Long Term Financial Planning, portfolio reporting, etc.  They may serve as a member on cross-functional Leadership Teams within the TA, including leading operationally focused conversations and/or forums.   

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Leads the hematology/oncology early development PMs responsible for assets from candidate declaration through clinical PoC and transition to late development. Ensures efficient transition of programs into the early development space and out to the full development space at appropriate decision points.
• Recognized and relied upon as a strategic operations leader at the program level by all TRC and cross-functional stakeholders, embodies the ideal PM role and serves as a role model for more junior project managers.
• Plays a key role in leading initiatives to develop and improve tools and processes for strategic planning and operations responsibilities key to the PM role.
• Shares insights with their team of PMs to enable understanding of the enterprise/portfolio perspective as it applies to their individual programs
• Partners with senior EDPLs supporting all 4 Heme/Onc TRCs to ensure progression of all programs portfolio by efficiently managing cross functional/organizational relationships required to execute the project management process.
• Ensures appropriate resourcing of all projects- hires, develops and retains talent within their group and PM in general with an eye towards building a diverse organization which is open to new ideas, and enables success for colleagues of different backgrounds and experiences.
• Actively partners with PM function leaders (as a member of the PM Leadership Team) and key stakeholders to improve ways of working within BMS to deliver on the pipeline commitment and build an industry-leading PM team, up to and including leadership of enterprise level initiatives
• Acts as a change Agent for continuous improvement and transformational initiatives within PM and RDSP
• Ensures PM deliverables to the cyclical corporate processes are available and accurate to ensure effective decision making in various processes e.g., Portfolio Optimization, Budget, Long Term Financial Planning, governance and operations reviews, etc.
• Has oversight to ensure accuracy of the project data for their portfolio in source systems related to timelines.
• Leads communications of portfolio status, risks and mitigations and changes to scope, timelines and budget at appropriate TA and Enterprise level cross-functional forums. May serve as PM for such forums.
• Communicates the PM/RDSP vision to TA and vice versa; similarly informs of relevant changes to processes or ways or working to ensure alignment and transparency of expectations
• Maintain and assess the effectiveness of the teams within Heme-Onc portfolio with a focus on cross-functional input and accountability and progress toward goals.
• Coach PMs to drive excellence and accountability, and develop talent pipeline for project team membership
• Leads communications of portfolio status, risks and mitigations and changes to scope, timelines and budget at appropriate Heme-Onc and cross-functional forums. May serve as PM for such forums.
• As PM, may be accountable for 1-2 E-DPTs of moderate complexity -partners with the EDPL to lead a cross-functional matrix team of experts in advancing programs/assets within the remit of their E-DPT. Accountable for creating and maintaining a cross-function development plan, timeline and budget for each program and ensuring progress vs. plan.
• Facilitates effective, science-based business decisions including development of scenarios (base-case, buy-ups, buy-downs) as needed, highlighting interdependencies and downstream impacts (including but not limited to timelines and budget) of strategic decisions
• Ensures all decisions are assessed as to their risks and impacts. Accountable for communication to team and stakeholders in a transparent and timely manner.
• Proactively identifies risks and ensures mitigation plans are implemented
• With the EDPL, works to foster a high performing team and monitor the health and operating efficiency of the team as a unit. Leads creation of team norms and operating principles with a focus on cross-functional input and accountability, and robust analysis of vetted options
• Acts as an integrator within the Development Program Team (DPT) and across the enterprise to ensure alignment and connect best practices
• Develops and coordinates resource and budget planning across functions to assure adequate resources are applied to the project and any changes are highlighted appropriately
• Advises on governance expectations and prepares for key decision point discussions with focus on cross-functional input and rigorous debate
• For projects that are being jointly developed, works closely with a key strategic alliance partner
• Coaches project team members and others to drive excellence and accountability, and develop talent pipeline for DPT membership

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences or other relevant discipline. In addition, MBA or PMP certification is desirable.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in biotech/pharmaceutical industry, including 10 years in project/portfolio management and more than 5 years of people management experience.
• Expert in early phase drug development with solid understanding of the disease area and drug development pathway with the ability to lead strategic discussions  
• Leadership skills including situational leadership, ability to lead a team of experts and influence without authority
• Demonstrated ability to lead matrix teams, knows how to work at the strategic level with the EDPLs and when to delve deeper to resolve issues and challenges. Can pivot flexibly from strategy to operations and explain the interconnections to collaborators with a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines
• Experience in drug development at both the individual project level and across a portfolio of projects
• Expertise with commonly used project management tools including but not limited to Microsoft project, Planisware etc.
• Strong communicator able to integrate and succinctly summarize the various parts of a project and effectively tailor messages to audience incl. senior leaders.
• Understands and utilizes the Governance guidance to prepare DPTs in preparation of high-quality documents and presentations for review at governance committees
• Ensures appropriate DPT membership during the progression of the program.
• Ability to resolve complex problems and manage difficult stakeholder situations
• Ability to lead the development of critical path analyses and scenario planning
• Excellent Project Management Skills – drives execution while balancing speed, quality, and cost.

Around the world, we are passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. Empowered to apply our individual talents and diverse perspectives in an inclusive culture, our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. 

Physical presence at the BMS worksite or physical presence in the field is an essential job function of this role which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well-being and engagement, and enhances the Company culture.

To protect the safety of our workforce, customers, patients and communities, the policy of the Company requires all employees and workers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have received an exception based on an approved request for a medical or religious reasonable accommodation.  Therefore, all BMS applicants seeking a role located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico must confirm that they have already received or are willing to receive the full COVID-19 vaccination by their start date as a qualification of the role and condition of employment.  This requirement is subject to state and local law restrictions and may not be applicable to employees working in certain jurisdictions such as Montana. This requirement is also subject to discussions with collective bargaining representatives in the U.S.

Our company is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request an approval of accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or if you are applying to a role based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and you believe that you are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief, during or any part of the recruitment process, please direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

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