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.