Associate Director, Program & Portfolio Management

ABOUT US
Torque Bio is an ambitious, newly launched biotechnology startup developing next-generation genetic medicines for serious kidney disease. The company is advancing a platform that brings together proprietary kidney-optimized AAV vectors, gene replacement and AAV:circular RNA technologies, and targeted local delivery to the kidney. Torque Bio’s initial focus is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a leading genetic cause of kidney failure with significant unmet need. Torque Bio is planning to enter the clinic in 2027 with its lead candidate for ADPKD.
POSITION SUMMARY
Torque Bio is seeking an experienced Associate Director Program & Portfolio Management to manage the end-to-end development of pipeline candidates through IND submission and clinical development. This individual will establish integrated program plans, drive cross-functional decision-making, manage critical path activities and risks, and ensure that scientific, technical, regulatory, and clinical workstreams remain aligned to program objectives.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on program leader who can flex into clinical program management as programs enter the clinic, partner with Finance to develop and manage program-level budgets, govern Torque Bio’s IP and vendor portfolio while operating effectively within a lean, outsourced biotechnology model. This role requires equal strength in strategic planning, detail-oriented execution, and communication across internal teams, external partners, and working with company senior leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
• Lead integrated program management for one or more pipeline candidates, spanning research transition, preclinical development, IND-enabling activities, CMC, regulatory submission, and clinical execution.
• Build and maintain integrated development plans, timelines, decision points, dependencies, resource assumptions, and critical paths that connect functional plans to corporate milestones.
• Lead cross-functional program team meetings, establish clear governance and operating procedures, document decisions, and ensure timely completion of actions.
• Partner with functional leaders to translate program strategy into executable workplans with clearly defined deliverables, owners, and completion criteria.
• Anticipate program risks, facilitate scenario planning, maintain risk and issue registers, and drive mitigation and escalation when milestones or decisions are at risk.
• Lead program financial planning by developing forecasts, managing budgets and variances, and integrating cost, timeline, scope, and resource considerations into program decisions.
CLINICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Flex into leadership of clinical project management as candidates transition into the clinic, ensuring continuity from development strategy through study start-up and execution.
• Keep the integrated clinical project plan in sync across Clinical Operations, Medical, Regulatory, CMC, Quality, Data Management, Biostatistics, Pharmacovigilance, and external service providers.
• Support clinical trial planning and execution, including study start-up, site activation planning, vendor deliverables, enrollment assumptions, clinical supply dependencies, data milestones, and closeout activities.
• Facilitate cross-functional resolution of clinical project issues and ensure decisions, risks, and changes are reflected in the integrated plan.
BUSINESS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
• Manage Torque Bio’s IP portfolio by aligning internally on IP strategy with senior leadership and coordinating applications with external counsel.
• Coordinate external vendor agreements and licenses across the program portfolio with external counsel and senior leadership.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, business, or a related discipline required.
• Advanced degree such as MS, MBA, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent is preferred.
• PMP or equivalent certification is a bonus.
EXPERIENCE
• 8+ years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biologics, gene therapy, or a related development environment, including substantial cross-functional program or project management responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience advancing development programs through IND-enabling activities, IND submission, and entry into clinical development.
• Developing and managing program-level budgets and forecasts in partnership with Finance and functional leaders.
• Operating in a development-stage or lean outsourced biotechnology organization is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing clinical trial programs, including integrated planning across clinical and supporting functions.
• Proficiency in managing patent applications and/or business agreements with legal counsel guidance.
TECHNICAL AND LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES
• Strong command of integrated development planning, dependency management, critical path analysis, risk management, governance, and executive reporting.
• Working knowledge of drug development from preclinical research through early clinical development, including the interdependencies among CMC, Nonclinical, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, and Finance.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and operational information into clear plans, decisions, and communications for varied audiences.
• Proficiency with program and portfolio management tools; ability to establish practical systems appropriate for a lean organization.
• Strong facilitator and communicator, comfortable leading meetings, creating written materials and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
WHAT YOU BRING
• Enterprise mindset: optimizes for the overall program and company rather than any single function, while respecting functional expertise and accountability.
• Hands-on leadership: can set the program management strategy, build the integrated plan, facilitate the meeting, and follow through on details.
• Disciplined transparency: surfaces risks and trade-offs early, communicates status objectively, and creates clear paths to decision.
• Patient and mission focus: keeps development choices anchored in scientific rigor, product quality, patient safety, and the needs of people living with serious kidney disease.
Why Join Torque Bio?
Torque Bio is building a differentiated genetic medicines platform for serious kidney disease. In this role, you will help shape how programs are planned and executed from early development through the clinic, with direct visibility to high-impact decisions and the opportunity to build fit-for-purpose program management capabilities in a growing company.
Compensation: Torque Bio offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience, including base salary, performance-based bonus, competitive benefits package, and equity participation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Torque Bio is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these protected characteristics.

Work arrangement
Yes