Senior Program Manager

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office

Job Description

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

Thermo Fisher Scientific - Viral Vector Services (VVS) is multifaceted gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that is seeking sharp individuals to bring the highest quality processes, products, and testing to our clients. Our employees are committed to making a difference in our organization, for our client partners, and for the patients we serve.

Discover Impactful Work:
The Sr. Program Manager will lead complex customer programs and serve as the primary liaison between the client and internal teams. The role requires successfully directing a cross-functional team in all aspects of development, tech transfer, characterization, and commercialization of cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes. This position interacts directly with customers, requiring strong technical depth, program leadership skills, and the ability to manage challenges within a dynamic environment.

• Independently lead a complex project portfolio or multiple client programs across all project stages
• Proactively diagnose program challenges and partner with cross-functional teams to identify solutions supporting successful internal and external outcomes.
• Communicate regularly with business teams, VVS technical teams, and customer teams; report on progress, risks, and mitigation plans to ensure on-time, in-scope delivery.
• Identify and assess program risks with the team; develop mitigation strategies and escalate issues to leadership as needed.
• Lead the development and improvement of program management tools, templates, dashboards, and best practices.
• Oversee financial aspects including milestone payments, pass-through costs, and FTE forecasting; guide teams through the change-order decision process

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering or related field required
• Certification preferred (PMP, Six Sigma, or equivalent)
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered

Experience:

• 6+ years of CMC or CDMO industry experience in project or program management, including direct customer oversight.
• Prior experience independently leading multi-functional program teams strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Smartsheet, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience within a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong track record of cross-functional leadership within a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated ability to identify program risks, develop mitigation strategies, and navigate complex technical or operational issues. Excellent communication, customer engagement, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment and influence across levels.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, negotiation, and facilitating alignment across diverse teams.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• 100% onsite role at the Plainville, MA facility.
• Standard office environment with periodic interaction in GMP manufacturing and laboratory areas.
• May require occasional standing, walking, and PPE usage during facility tours or client visits.
• Domestic travel up to 10–15% may be required

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $118,600.00–$177,850.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family sup