Manager, Program Management

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there's no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that's the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Lonza is seeking a Manager, Program Management to join our Portsmouth, NH site. This highly visible role will lead the execution of complex, operationally focused programs supporting advanced cell therapies. Acting as the primary connection between customers and cross-functional teams, you will ensure changes and project commitments are delivered safely, on time, within scope and to the highest quality standards.

This position follows a hybrid schedule with four days onsite and one day remote.

What you will get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• The opportunity to support innovative cell therapies addressing serious diseases, including sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes
• Exposure to complex, global programs at an integrated biopharmaceutical manufacturing site
• A role that combines operational execution with program leadership and offers meaningful potential for continued growth.

What you will do

• Lead tactical, operationally focused projects across two cell therapy assets.
• Serve as the key interface between customers and cross-functional teams, representing customer priorities and ensuring effective execution.
• Coordinate a high volume of customer-driven changes and ensure actions, owners and timelines remain on track.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams through influence, accountability and clear communication.
• Manage program scope, schedules, risks, issues, quality and financial performance.
• Establish effective governance, milestones and escalation processes.
• Identify potential obstacles and drive timely, practical solutions in a fast-moving operational environment.
• Build strong relationships with customers, Account Management, site leadership and functional partners.
• Apply established program-management tools and methodologies while sharing best practices across the organization.
• Support asset stabilization and the program's longer-term transition into a more traditional customer-facing program-management model.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences or a related discipline.
• Significant program or project-management experience within a CDMO life sciences, biopharmaceutical manufacturing or another complex matrix organization.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong operational execution skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, frequent change and complex stakeholder expectations.
• Sound business judgment with experience managing project scope, schedules, risks and customer commitments.
• Strong customer relationship, communication and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently, hold stakeholders accountable and drive projects to completion.
• Experience within a CDMO, biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment is preferred.
• A master's degree, PMP or another relevant project-management certification is preferred.
• Ability to travel approximately 5% as needed.