Director, Program Management
Danaher Corporation
Summary
The Director, Program Management is responsible for leading the Aldevron Business Unit Program Management function and establishing the strategic framework for successful execution across the client portfolio. This senior leader will oversee all Program Management professionals across the business unit, ensuring consistency in client engagement, portfolio governance, escalation management, program execution, and delivery excellence.
Job description
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Lead and develop the Aldevron Business Unit Program Management organization, including direct oversight of all Program Managers and leadership of talent strategy, succession planning, capability development, and organizational effectiveness.
- Provide strategic oversight of the client program portfolio, ensuring alignment of customer priorities, business objectives, capacity considerations, and operational execution across complex and high-value programs.
- Establish and govern portfolio management processes, including risk identification, escalation pathways, decision-making routines, resource prioritization, and cross-functional governance mechanisms.
- Serve as an executive point of contact for strategic customers, engaging remotely across multiple programs and participating in occasional client visits, business reviews, and escalation discussions.
- Partner with Commercial, Project Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Technical leaders to drive alignment on program execution, revenue realization, customer satisfaction, and business performance.
- Drive continuous improvement and standardization through the Danaher Business System, implementing best practices, performance metrics, visual management, and scalable program management processes.
- Monitor and communicate portfolio health and business performance, using data-driven insights to proactively manage risk, improve forecast accuracy, and support executive decision-making.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Life Sciences, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
- 10+ years of long-standing experience in Program Management, Project Management, Operations, Commercial Operations, or related business leadership functions within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CDMO, life sciences, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- 5+ years of people leadership experience leading managers and professional teams across geographically dispersed organizations.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex customer portfolios, strategic accounts, or large-scale cross-functional programs involving executive stakeholder engagement.
- Proven experience establishing governance frameworks, portfolio management systems, risk management processes, and business performance metrics.
- Experience driving operational excellence initiatives utilizing structured continuous improvement methodologies such as the Danaher Business System, Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent business systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional organizations through growth, transformation, and organizational change.
- Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally, including occasional overnight travel for customer visits, business reviews, leadership meetings, and key company events.
- Advanced degree such as an MBA, MS, or PhD in Business, Life Sciences, Engineering, or related field.
- Experience leading Program Management organizations within CDMO, biologics, genomic medicine, mRNA, cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapeutics environment.
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent professional certification.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k)
- Paid Time Off
- Bonus/Incentive Pay
Company overview
Danaher Corporation is a leading global science and technology innovator headquartered in Washington, D.C., specializing in biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics. Founded in 1984 by brothers Steven and Mitchell Rales, the company has evolved from its origins as a manufacturing conglomerate into a premier healthcare technology organization with approximately 63,000 employees worldwide. Danaher operates through three core divisions: biotechnology (28% of revenues), which develops products for therapeutic development; life sciences (31% of revenues), focused on disease identification, new therapies, and drug testing/manufacturing; and diagnostics (41% of revenues), providing instruments, consumables, and software for disease diagnosis. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Beckman Coulter, Cytiva, Pall Corporation, Cepheid, Leica Microsystems, and Abcam, serving pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, healthcare providers, and research institutions globally. Danaher is distinguished by its Danaher Business System (DBS), a continuous improvement methodology that drives innovation and operational excellence. With 2024 revenues of $23.9 billion, the company ranks 180th on the Fortune 500 and plays a critical role in advancing scientific research, improving diagnostic capabilities, and accelerating the development of life-saving therapies.