Vacancy Name

Senior Manager Preclinical Research Programme Management

Vacancy No

VN887

Employment Type

Permanent

Location of role

Abingdon, UK

Department

Corporate

Key Responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to apply broad expertise and knowledge in programme management and related disciplines to achieve company goals in creative and effective ways. The individual will lead and drive programme management support for Preclinical (Research) programmes, to oversee the development, prioritisation and delivery of the overall Preclinical portfolio, and to establish programme management best practices and strategy for the Preclinical pipeline programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, implement, and maintain processes and infrastructure to support scenario planning, project planning and effective management for Preclinical programmes, serving as a best practice resource for the team.

• Be a leading member of the team that owns, champions, defines, and improves our programme and portfolio management processes including managing processes to provide visibility and alignment on earlier pre-portfolio programmes - facilitating their transition onto the Preclinical portfolio as they become named programmes and Preclinical programme teams are chartered.

• Partner with project leads to develop, gain approval, and execute on the project strategy and to ensure the timely achievement of deliverables.

• Lead Research portfolio initiatives such as portfolio prioritisation – ensuring engagement with key stakeholders and programme teams across the organisation.

• Partner with Competitive Intelligence to develop and lead competitive analysis in Research and ensure learnings are captured into therapeutic area and programme strategies.

• Drive/own appropriate and timely communication and engagement regarding pipeline programmes, progress and timelines to key stakeholder groups including senior management, CMC leaders, Research leaders, programme teams (internal and external) and ensure that critical programme issues are proactively communicated and understood.

• Identify programme risks and partner with team to implement mitigations.

• Drive development and implementation of consistent, repeatable and fit-for-purpose best practice processes, tools and frameworks.

• Operationalize and evolve the Research Operating Model (ROM) through engagement with scientists and stakeholders to ensure that it reflects up-to-date processes, workflows, and timelines.

• Apply skills in Operational Excellence and use of Artificial Intelligence to improve ways of working – cycle time, productivity, efficiency and overall delivery

• Mentor, coordinate and guide less senior Preclinical Programme Manager secondees who are assigned to support pipeline programmes within the Preclinical portfolio.

• Partner with Preclinical Research programme leads to ensure effective progression, governance, communication, and planning of each of the programmes in the Preclinical pipeline (from target nomination to candidate drug nomination).

• Partner with the Head of Research, Chief Technology Officer and Therapeutic Area Heads to plan the agenda for Research Portfolio Committee (RPC) governance meetings, facilitate business planning and to facilitate development of Research portfolio strategies.

• Manage and lead RPC governance meetings for assigned programs including agenda planning, ensuring effective team preparation, minute writing and actioning items for follow-up.

• Develop structured plans with timelines and resource requirements and use to forecast areas of potential delays/issues/operational needs within the Preclinical portfolio.

• Actively monitor and update pipeline programme team rosters and ensure appropriate inclusion for communications and governance meetings; ensure appropriate attendees who are critical for programme discussion are invited and drive their active participation in the RPC meetings.

• Provide structure and best practices for knowledge management of research programmes (e.g., folder management, archival of key decisions, etc.) including routine reporting of programme delivery versus plan.

• Provide support to partner programmes ensuring efficient management and documentation of partner meetings and administrative support (e.g. data transfer, database access, and project folder access).

• Ensure internal alignment of key scientific messages ahead of external (partner) communications (ad hoc, joint programme teams (JPTs) etc.).

• Support the transfer of Preclinical programmes to Development by ensuring the seamless transfer of information to the Development programme lead / team.

• Identify and aid implementation of opportunities to improve efficiency at both the individual project and portfolio level, in areas including scheduling, collaboration, data management, logistics and reporting.

• Working with Research Operations, develop tools for analysing the current and historic portfolio to allow implementation of learnings to improve efficiency.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Essential Experience & Knowledge:

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of related experience; or equivalent experience.

• Experience as a Researcher in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry

• Experience in an R&D Project or Product Management role in the Biotech industry (at least 6+ years of relevant experience)

• Proficiency with MS Project

• Familiarity with PM tools and practices

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Familiarity with Microsoft environment (Word, Excel, Power Point, Visio, SharePoint, Teams)

• Exceptional relationship building skills to work with internal and external stakeholders and user groups and quickly understand their needs and the scientific, clinical, and operational problems that need solving.

• Ability to influence and persuade other stakeholders by applying knowledge and expertise to drive delivery of assigned programmesdesired departmental while preserving relationships.

• Excellent attention to detail, organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills

• Highly proactive in identifying risks, raising issues, and identifying solutions within the project and predict where opportunities for improving processes may arise in the future

• Delivery-focused mindset, capable of scaling at pace, taking operational and practical ownership of projects

• Strong track record in a relevant scientific discipline

• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior team members / interns

Essential Qualifications:

• Educated to BS/ BA level or higher in life science discipline or equivalent

• Desirable: Masters/ PhD/ PharmD/ MBA in immunology, biochemistry, cell biology or related discipline

• Desirable: Formal project management training and prior experience leading cross-functional projects within Research

• PMP certification preferred but not required

About the Company

Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.