Ascendis - Global Program Specialist - (Hybrid) Palo Alto, CA

The Global Program Specialist (GPS) will play a critical role in driving Ascendis’ sustainable growth by   collaborating with Global Program Directors (GPDs) as they shepherd programs’ progress across multiple sites (Heidelberg, Copenhagen, Palo Alto, and Princeton) through development, commercialization, and LCM. The GPS will be part of a program management organization team under the Strategy & Program Management (SPM) team. The GPS will contribute to 1-3 global programs within 1 therapeutic area by providing support to the GPD in execution of programs by collaborating on strategic discussions, communicating with all relevant stakeholders and teams (across functions), and supporting governance decision processes, to ensure program execution within budget and timelines.  This person will be key to supporting the development and implementation of best project management (PM) practices and standards at Ascendis. This person will report into the Sr. Director, Program & Project Management Excellence.

·      Support assigned GPD(s) with execution of Endocrine or Oncology programs (program defined as all activities to value of product candidate, and can be between IND-enabling activities and program terminal value optimization)

·      Help coordinate preparation of materials for internal updates, including quarterly Program Reviews, corporate reports, Board of Directors meetings

·      Apply strong Project Management skills and support users and teams with the PM tools and templates

·      Structure and maintain integrated, cross-functional program plans; monitor progress against program plans and brainstorm with GPD on potential challenges and mitigations

·      Support Core Team and Sub Team activities, meetings, and workshops; capture meeting minutes, communicate and follow-up on action items and decisions taken

·      Act as a liaison between the Core Team and Sub Teams

o  Ensure all Core and Sub Team members are aligned on program progress, key milestones, risks, and mitigation strategies

·      Closely track and report budgets and timelines, and ensure alignment with strategic priorities and decisions

·      Work closely to support and act as thought partner to GPDs 

·      Collaborate and liaise with other GPDs across therapeutic areas, to optimize cross-organizational deliverables

·      Contribute to operational initiatives to help support innovative, cost-effective, and timely decisions, as needed

·      Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Life Sciences, Advanced degree in Life Sciences or related field strongly preferred

·      Pharmaceutical R&D drug development knowledge, with 5+ years of industry experience required for bachelor’s degree candidates, and 3+ years of industry experience required for candidates with a MS or PhD degree

·      Demonstrated excellence in project management in biopharma (project management training preferred)

·      High level of organizational skills and attention to detail

·      Exceptional interpersonal skills (including cultural sensitivity) and communication skills (including presentations, written communications) and the ability to interact with key stakeholders

·      Strong analytical skills, problem solving- and implementation capabilities and ability to provide strategic insight

·      Unbridled curiosity and interest in science

·      Ability to work independently with reviews at critical points

·      Able to drive efficiencies by proficient use of digital tools, e.g., MS Project, Share Point

·      Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally