Program Lead

Job title:

Program Lead

Company

Oxitec

Job description

About UsWe are a team of passionate individuals, developing ground-breaking biological solutions to sustainably and safely control insects that spread disease and destroy crops. We do this work to improve lives and livelihoods around the world in the face of growing threats that insects pose to human health and the global food supply.Whilst what we do relates to developing insect control technologies, our organisation is about people and in its service to people.All candidates for all Oxitec positions must be committed to Oxitec’s values and principles. We foster a culture of trust, respect, creativity, and accountability. Click to read about trust and about our principles, and click to read our CEO’s blog on trust and our corporate culture.Purpose of the RoleAs a Program Lead at Oxitec, this role sits within the Project Management Office and is responsible for delivering R&D programs and projects to time, cost, and quality.Specifically, in this role you will be responsible for leading the successful delivery of a new program within our suite of agritech products to develop environmentally sustainable, scalable control solution for insect pests threatening food security and grower livelihoods in the US and beyond.You will have experience of managing program(s) that have successfully translated R&D technology into outcomes. Ideally, you will have previous experience working with insects and/or insight into the challenges of crop pest control. As a program manager with experience of product development as well as program delivery, you will understand the complex interplay between quality, regulatory, operational and manufacturing workstreams – and how these need to come together to achieve a successful outcome and bring solutions to market.You may also at times be required to provide additional Project Management Office support towards other business-critical R&D projects as needed.As experienced program manager, you will be required to build, maintain and accurately report project progress against budget expenditure, pressure test timelines to ensure timely delivery of complex work packages, and execute programs based on strategic objectives that are aligned with Oxitec’s goals. You will have extensive experience of working across wide-ranging stakeholders and different working cultures to deliver successful outcomes. You will be used to influencing and negotiating outside of your own area of domain expertise to implement successful operations and ensure that goals and timelines are achieved. Ideally, you will have experience of successful program delivery across remote, globally distributed teams.Reporting is a key component of this role, taking complex technical information provided by the project team and distilling it down to provide the Executive Leadership Team and external stakeholders with clear progress updates. You will be a quick learner, with an understanding of how teams and functions need to come together, and when, in order to achieve real-world impacts. While technical expertise across program areas is not required, a strong capacity to get comfortable with and communicate about technical details is required. With excellent interpersonal skills you will know how to get the most from your team, working efficiently and at pace.ResponsibilitiesThe responsibilities of the role include:

• Forecasting and managing program budgets.
• Organising and facilitating project meetings with internal and external stakeholders, often in different time zones.
• Championing clear communication across the project team, as well as externally to stakeholders and upwards to executive leadership.
• Providing technical and administrative support to project teams; clarity on program objectives; managing change and championing continuous improvement; promoting project management best practice across the organisation.
• Leading cross-functioning teams to deliver innovative business-critical products.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all regulatory, legal, and quality requirements are understood, planned and delivered.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the efficient execution of field testing that meet product development requirements.
• Working across R&D teams to identify and resolve technical and operational issues impacting program and product delivery to time, cost and quality.
• Preparing presentation materials for clear, concise reporting on progress to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
• Providing coaching and mentoring to junior Project Managers, as required, and facilitating opportunities for building project management skills.
• Travelling to Oxitec’s global sites as required to engage with stakeholders on the ground.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in life sciences is desirable, or an advanced level degree is essential.
• Professional project management qualification (e.g., Prince2, APM) is desirable.
• Excellent record of managing projects through to successful outcomes within expected timeframes and budgets.
• Demonstrated leadership of programs with complex stakeholder networks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external stakeholders including funding agencies, contractors and CROs.
• Demonstrable experience working in biological control, pest control, agritech and/or product development.
• Familiarity with the MS Office 365 environment, SharePoint Online and SmartSheets.
• Experience of navigating matrixed organizations to achieve targets.
• Able to work independently and within a team.
• Excellent written English and oral communication suitable for an executive audience.
• Ability to travel internationally, global circumstances permitting.

Behavioural Requirements

• Committed to, and passionate about, the Oxitec mission and values.
• Adaptable and flexible, thriving and being resilient in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Resourceful, creative and superb at relationship building and collaboration.
• Responsive to the needs of an international business working across different time zones, adapting working patterns in-line with business requirements.
• Decisive and assertive with a driven and proactive approach.
• Positive, humble, co-operative, and professional.
• Works with a sense of urgency and solves things promptly.

Expected salary

Location

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Job date

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 22:57:30 GMT

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