VP, Program & Portfolio Management

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities includes editing, splicing, RNA interference and antisense silencing, providing us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline includes clinical programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Huntington’s disease, as well as a clinical program in obesity and a preclinical program in NASH/MASH. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description

The Vice President (VP) of Program & Portfolio Management is a critical leadership role responsible for driving the successful execution of the company’s clinical development programs from early-stage research through pivotal clinical trials and, ultimately, toward regulatory approval and commercialization.   This successful candidate will support enterprise level strategic decision making by providing a critical interface and information flow between Program and Project leads and the Executive Team Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the VP of Program Management will create, lead, and optimize cross-functional teams, ensuring that all programs are aligned with corporate objectives, timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements.

This role requires significant expertise in program and portfolio management within the biotech or pharmaceutical sector, a deep understanding of clinical development, and the proven ability to lead and inspire high-performance teams across multiple disciplines. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, a collaborative leader, and a pragmatic executor, capable of translating scientific and business vision into actionable plans that deliver results.

Experience 

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent preferred) in life sciences, biomedical engineering, or related field; MBA or other business qualification a plus.
• Minimum of 15 years progressive experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences, with at least 7 years in program/project management leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programs through all phases of drug discovery, development, and/or commercialization.
• Demonstrated enterprise and team leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills including the ability to influence without authority when needed
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and execution skills, with a track record of delivering on high-stakes deadlines with exceptional attention to detail.
• Skilled in project management methods, tools, and reporting
• Outstanding problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentation and reporting.
• Strong familiarity with regulatory, clinical, and commercial dynamics in the biotech industry.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, in partnership with the Executive Team, the continuing development and assessment of Wave’s R&D portfolio and platform initiatives.
• Ensure individual program strategies, including their financial, operational, and business considerations, are aligned with Wave’s corporate strategy and that key program and platform information and implications are effectively and appropriately communicated to the Executive Team and the Board
• Lead and oversee, in partnership with key stakeholders, the identification and assessment of:
  • Potentially new targets with an eye towards ways in which Wave’s platform can provide a unique advantage
  • Key research, discovery and/or CMC initiatives and projects that strengthen and inform Wave’s platform
• Interface with Corporate Development to identify opportunities within the portfolio and/or platform to support current and future partnerships.
• Partner with Corporate Communications and Investor Relations to enable impactful communication of relevant milestones and data.
• Develop and facilitate processes and provide leadership and coaching to ensure global program leaders and managers provide effective leadership to program, platform, and CMC teams.
• Lead a team of program and project managers who build and drive high performing program/platform teams through clear designation of team roles & responsibilities, development of integrated research and development program plans and coordination of efforts in continuous alignment with Wave’s strategic goals and initiatives
• Lead the development and implementation of tools and processes to manage Wave’s portfolio of programs.

Pay Range External Disclosure Statement 

The annual base salary range for this position is $330,000 - $390,000. 

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the annual base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual annual base salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, position criticality, and internal equity. This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and discretionary stock-based long-term incentives. In addition to compensation, Wave offers a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical and financial health and overall well-being. These include, but are not limited to, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability insurances, generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), 401K participation with matching contributions, and Employee Stock Purchase Program. 

Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

We value our relationships with professional recruitment firms. To protect the interests of all parties, and given the large volume of inquiries received from third-party placement agencies, we are not able to respond to all agency inquiries. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates for current or future positions. Submission of unsolicited resumes in advance of a signed agreement between our company and a placement agency does not create an implied obligation and, if an unsolicited candidate represented by a placement agency is hired, we are not obligated to pay a fee. Only approved recruitment firms will be allowed to provide services to Wave Life Sciences, USA.