Program Manager

WHAT YOU OWN 

You will be fully accountable for program outcomes across two dimensions: 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Leadership 

• Serve as the primary client interface throughout program execution, maintaining clear communication and trusted relationships. 
• Manage programs from initiation through closure, including planning, feasibility, development, verification, and manufacturing transfer phases. 
• Lead cross-functional teams spanning R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations. 
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments and maintain alignment internally and externally. 
• Facilitate project kickoffs, phase-gate reviews, design reviews, and recurring client and internal status meetings. 
• Monitor scope, schedule, and resources; escalate issues and develop response plans to address proactively. 

Financial Management 

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and deliverables with clear milestones and dependencies. 
• Own program financial performance, including revenue, gross margin, change order management, and cash flow. 
• Develop and analyze monthly forecasts, proactively communicating risks and applying lessons learned to improve accuracy. 

Client Engagement 

• Provide proactive, transparent communication to clients on technical progress, schedule, budget, risks, and mitigations. 
• Build client trust through follow-through and accountability — deliver on commitments. 
• Collaborate with Business Development to ensure continuity from sales into execution, supporting scope and budget change conversations. 
• Support Business Development in scoping new client projects across requirements, assumptions, deliverables, schedule, and budget. 

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure project execution aligns with the company Quality Management System (QMS), design controls, and applicable regulatory standards (FDA, ISO). 
• Identify and actively manage risks and opportunities, implementing mitigations proactively. 
• Participate as a program representative in client and regulatory audits. 

PMO & Continuous Improvement 

• Operate as a pillar of the PMO: go beyond execution to recognize patterns, improve processes, and share best practices. 
• Use Smartsheet as the central source of truth for project schedules, milestones, risks, and status updates. 
• Report regular project health updates to Leadership. 
• Drive standardization of tools and processes, using metrics to guide improvement. 
• Incorporate post-mortems and lessons learned into future project planning. 

PMO Core Values 

Every program manager at Ascential is expected to operate by these core principles: 

1. Ownership 
2. Transparency 
3. Discipline 
4. Partnership 
5. Integrity 
6. Continuous Improvement  

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field (advanced degree a plus). 
• PMP certification highly preferred. 

Experience 

• 10+ years of program or project management experience in a CDMO, medical device, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environment. 
• Demonstrated experience owning program financials, including revenue, gross margin, and change order management. 
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams through complex, multi-phase product development programs. 

Skills & Capabilities 

• Strong leadership presence — able to drive decisions and lead with authority, not just influence. 
• Deep knowledge of standard project management processes, methods, and best practices. 
• Ability to create and manage complex schedules with detailed work breakdown structures. 
• Ability to build and manage program budgets; financial acumen is essential. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration with both technical teams and executive clients. 
• Clear, confident communicator — written, verbal, and in formal presentations. 
• Skilled at risk identification: able to predict key risk areas and define actionable mitigations. 
• Comfort with ambiguity — able to assess complex situations and chart a path forward with incomplete data. 
• Willing and able to have direct, professional conversations with clients and colleagues when needed. 
• Proficient in Smartsheet or equivalent project management platforms; comfortable with dashboards and reporting. 
• Knowledge of NPI processes, design controls, and regulated product development (FDA, ISO 13485). 
• Calm under pressure — able to lead with clarity and composure in high-stakes situations. 
• Entrepreneurial mindset — willing to fill gaps, wear multiple hats, and help build something great. 

OUR VALUES 

We succeed when our customers succeed  —  Client outcomes drive everything we do. 

We win with people and teamwork  —  Great results come from great collaboration. 

We are entrepreneurs  —  We take initiative and own our decisions. 

We own our future  —  We invest in ourselves and each other. 

COMPENSATION & LOCATION 

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Corvallis, Oregon. Compensation is expected to be $108,000-135,000 annually commensurate with experience, skills, education, and job-related knowledge. In addition to a competitive base salary, Ascential offers a comprehensive benefits package.