Principal IT Program Manager - R&D

Neurocrine · San Diego · $132,700–$182,000 (stated in the posting)

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

About the Role:

The Principal IT Program Manager - R&D is accountable for the successful delivery of multiple complex, cross-functional IT programs and initiatives supporting R&D technology solutions, data platforms, and products that enable Neurocrine’s R&D strategy and our ability to reach patients with few treatment options. Serving as the critical bridge between IT teams and R&D business stakeholders, this role ensures initiatives are planned, governed, and delivered with discipline, transparency, and measurable value.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this individual leads multiple concurrent programs of moderate-to-high complexity while providing IT product ownership, program and project management, and agile leadership across multiple teams. The role combines technical program management with product delivery planning and execution in alignment with established R&D and IT priorities, including collaborating with stakeholders to define platform features, managing feature backlogs, coordinating dependencies across developers, external vendors, and distributed product owners and project managers, and facilitating the agile ceremonies to support timely delivery of R&D data solutions.

As a developing subject matter expert in IT program management and R&D technology delivery, the Principal IT Program Manager - R&D influences decision-making, contributes to and implements best practices, and serves as a key resource to R&D and IT stakeholders. The role requires exceptional communication and organizational skills and the ability to navigate diverse perspectives and personalities while maintaining focus on urgent deliverables, so that R&D data platforms continue to evolve to meet business needs.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Manager, IT Program Management, with dotted-line support to the Informatics & Business Insights team and the IT R&D Business Partner.

Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):

Program Leadership & Delivery

Lead multiple concurrent R&D IT programs, data platforms, and products of moderate-to-high complexity with cross-functional scope and impact across R&D and related IT functions
Own end-to-end program delivery, ensuring alignment to R&D business objectives, timelines, scope, and quality expectations
Develop and manage integrated program plans and roadmaps (e.g., Gantt charts), including milestones, dependencies, and deliverables

Strategic Alignment & R&D Stakeholder Partnership

Partner with R&D business stakeholders, the IT R&D Business Partner, and IT leaders to develop program delivery plans, roadmaps, and success metrics aligned with established business priorities and ensure successful execution
Translate technical concepts into business impact, risks, and decision-ready insights for R&D and IT leadership
Drive alignment across diverse perspectives, personalities, and competing priorities to ensure clarity of priorities and outcomes, including urgent deliverables

Product Ownership & Platform Feature Definition

Provide IT product ownership for R&D data platforms and products, supporting established product vision and objectives and managing feature backlogs and prioritization in collaboration with business and technical stakeholders
Drive clear definition of platform features; elicit R&D user requirements and translate them into functional specifications for Engineering
Identify and communicate product feature dependencies across developers and stakeholders

Agile Leadership & Execution Excellence

Facilitate agile ceremonies for IT teams, including backlog grooming, sprint planning, kickoff, and product showcases
Coordinate and respond to fast-moving clarifications and changes across developers, external vendors, and distributed product owners or other project managers
Select, apply and recommend improvements to delivery methodologies (Agile, hybrid, or waterfall) to support program outcomes
Collect and review customer feedback, and partner with delivery teams to identify and implement improvements to processes and data products to enhance efficiency, scalability, and delivery performance

Cross-Functional Coordination

Coordinate activities across engineering, architecture, data, informatics and business insights, operations, cybersecurity, and R&D business teams
Manage interdependencies across programs, R&D scientific systems and platforms (e.g., Benchling, Core LIMS), and vendors
Influence and align stakeholders in a highly matrixed environment without direct authority

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Implement and maintain program-level governance practices, including status reporting, executive updates, and communication cadence
Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across technical, operational, and regulatory domains
Ensure adherence to applicable compliance, validation, and security requirements

Communication, Reporting & Portfolio Management

Provide clear, concise communication to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including R&D scientists and executive leadership
Deliver structured reporting on program status, risks, issues, and value realization, and facilitate decision-making through data-driven insights and effective storytelling
Coordinate program and product updates in the Atlassian product suite (Jira Product Discovery, Jira, Confluence)
Coordinate updates to the IT Project Portfolio within ServiceNow

Vendor, Financial & Resource Management

Coordinate with external vendors and partners to ensure accountability and performance
Support budget tracking, forecasting, and resource planning
Monitor program execution against approved budgets, resource plans, and expected business outcomes, escalating variances and recommending corrective actions as needed

Requirements:

Equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience (10+ years) consisting of IT program or project management experience, with the most recent experience delivering data platforms, scientific/R&D applications, or enterprise systems using Agile, hybrid, or waterfall methodologies. Experience supporting validated applications for regulatory purposes in a biotech/pharmaceutical company strongly required
BS/BA degree in computer science, IT, or similar field AND 6+ years of IT experience working in a pharmaceutical or biotech company with exposure to FDA regulations. Experience should include IT program or project management experience, with the most recent experience delivering data platforms, scientific/R&D applications, or enterprise systems using Agile, hybrid, or waterfall methodologies. Experience supporting validated applications for regulatory purposes in a biotech/pharmaceutical company strongly required OR
Master’s degree in computer science, IT, or similar field AND 4+ years of similar experience noted above
PMP certification or working towards a certification is highly desired. Product Owner and/or ScrumMaster certification and a scientific educational background (e.g., Biochemistry) are preferred
Demonstrated experience leading large, cross-functional IT programs or projects involving multiple stakeholders technical dependencies and competing priorities
Strong understanding of IT systems, platforms, and software delivery, including Agile, waterfall and hybrid approaches, with experience applying these methodologies to complex technology initiatives
Experience supporting the delivery of enterprise data platforms, analytics solutions, or scientific/R&D applications, preferably within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment
Demonstrated ability to elicit business and user requirements, translate requirements into functional specifications and coordinate implementation with technical teams
Experience applying program governance, risk and issue management, and structured reporting practices to support program execution and stakeholder decision-making
Adept in related software, including Jira, Jira Product Discovery, Confluence, ServiceNow, PowerPoint, and Gantt charting
Familiarity with scientific informatics platforms and applications, such as Benchling or laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and their integration within R&D technology environments. Experience with program governance, risk management (RAID), and structured reporting practices
Experience coordinating external vendors and supporting program budget tracking, forecasting, and resource planning
Experience supporting technology programs within biotechnology or pharmaceutical R&D environments. Professional certification in project, program, or Agile delivery management, such as PMP, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Educational background or professional experience in a scientific discipline, such as biochemistry or a related field
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to technical, scientific, and non-technical stakeholders
Strong influencing and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, build alignment, and drive outcomes without direct authority. Advanced program and project management capabilities, including the ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple complex initiatives with competing deadlines and dependencies
Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex issues, identify viable solutions, and exercise independent judgment
Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect technology initiatives to R&D business objectives and anticipate downstream impacts across related functions
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results with accuracy and efficiency
Demonstrated ability to identify and implement improvements to tools, processes, and delivery practices that enhance functional efficiency and effectiveness

#LI-CL1

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.

We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $132,700.00-$182,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

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