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M5
PPM.GEN.M5
Senior Director / Head of Program Management
Project and Program Management

Senior Director / Head of Program Management

PPM.GEN.M5

M5M5 — Senior Directormedium0.70draftglobalv1

Sets the vision and strategic direction for project and program management across the enterprise.

Level
M5 · M5 — Senior Director · 12–18 yrs
Function · Focus
Project and Program Management · General
Market pay (median)
Pay basis
model pending

Sets the vision and strategic direction for project and program management across the enterprise.

The story of this role

Who does this work

Project and Program Managers in biotech and pharma who want to lead successful R&D initiatives, clinical trials, and product launches while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

The problem this role solves

  • The external problem: Complex projects face delays, budget overruns, and regulatory non-compliance.
  • The internal problem: They feel overwhelmed by the multifaceted challenges of project management in a highly regulated industry.
  • Why it matters: Every patient deserves timely access to innovative therapies, and efficient project management is vital to making that happen.

The plan

  1. 1. Assess project requirements and establish clear goals.
  2. 2. Develop a comprehensive project strategy that aligns with regulatory needs.
  3. 3. Assemble and lead a cross-functional team focused on collaboration.
  4. 4. Monitor progress using KPIs and adjust plans as needed to meet timelines and budgets.
  5. 5. Conduct post-project evaluations to capture learnings and improve future initiatives.

What's at stake

Missed deadlines lead to delayed product launches and potential loss of market opportunity. Non-compliance with regulations results in costly penalties and project disruptions.

Success looks like

Projects are delivered on time and within budget, enhancing patient access to new treatments. Regulatory compliance is achieved, reducing the risk of project delays and enhancing company reputation.

Summary

Sets the vision and strategic direction for project and program management across the enterprise. Owns global project portfolio performance and alignment with corporate strategy.

Level — M5 — Senior Director

Leads multiple functions or a large department; drives multi-year strategy.

Scope
Multiple functions or a large department
Autonomy
Owns multi-year strategy for the area
Complexity
Org-level trade-offs and investment
Impact
Multi-function results
Decision rights
Owns investment and org design across functions
Leadership
Leads directors and managers
Typical experience
12–18 yrs

Core outputs

No core outputs recorded yet.

Adjacent roles

Nearest roles by structural coordinates (level + taxonomy). Distance 0 → 1; each carries its 3-state match band. How coordinates work → · Compare side-by-side →

Componentsshow ▾

Responsibilities5

  • Align project portfolios with corporate business strategy and mission.commonlevel
  • Lead Directors and PMO heads.commonlevel
  • Chair or direct portfolio review boards.commonlevel
  • Represent project outcomes to investors, board of directors, and external stakeholders.commonlevel
  • Define the organization’s portfolio risk profile.commonlevel

Tasks5

  • Align portfolios with strategycommonlevel
  • Lead PMO headscommonlevel
  • Chair review boardscommonlevel
  • Represent outcomes to stakeholderscommonlevel
  • Define risk profilecommonlevel

Skills5

  • Vision settingcommonlevel
  • Stakeholder representationcommonlevel
  • Portfolio risk managementcommonlevel
  • Leadershipcommonlevel
  • Strategic alignmentcommonlevel

Knowledge5

  • Corporate strategy alignmentcommonlevel
  • Portfolio managementcommonlevel
  • Stakeholder engagementcommonlevel
  • Risk managementcommonlevel
  • Organizational developmentcommonlevel

competency4

  • Visionary leadershipcommonlevel
  • Influencecommonlevel
  • Risk-Taking & Judgmentcommonlevel
  • Organizational Developmentcommonlevel

qualification3

  • Advanced executive-level education (PhD, MBA, or equivalent)commonlevel
  • 15+ years, including multiple leadership rolescommonlevel
  • Executive leadership credentials preferredcommonlevel
Title aliasesshow ▾
AliasTypeConfidenceApproved
Senior Director, Project and Program Managementcommonmedium0.66
Project and Program Management Senior Directorcommonmedium0.60
Senior Director, Project and Program Managercommonmedium0.66
Project and Program Manager Senior Directorcommonmedium0.60
Senior Director / Head of Program Managementcommonmedium0.50
Classification mappingsshow ▾

O*NET / SOC

  • code=13-0000title=Business & Financial Operations Occupationssource=inferred_from_superfunctionreviewStatus=needs_review