Senior Director, Program Leader

Position Overview:

Astria Therapeutics is dedicated to bringing hope with life-changing therapies to patients and families affected by allergic and immunological diseases. Astria’s pipeline includes our lead program, STAR-0215, a monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein in clinical development for the treatment of hereditary angioedema, as well as STAR-0310, an OX40 monoclonal antibody antagonist currently in preclinical development for atopic dermatitis (AD) and being explored for other allergic and immunological diseases.

The Senior Director, Program Leader oversees one or more development programs in Astria’s pipeline ranging from preclinical through clinical stages of development. Reporting to the VP of Program Strategy & Management, this person will work collaboratively to manage and integrate diverse R&D activities including but not limited to, preclinical research, clinical development, CMC, regulatory affairs, new product planning, business development and finance. The ideal candidate will have an exceptional ability to understand technical, regulatory and business implications, as well as the complex, cross-functional considerations critical to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the STAR-0310 program (IND submission planned in 2024) and work closely with team members to create and execute strategies for successful development
• Partner closely with Research, Development, Clinical, Commercial, CMC, Regulatory Affairs and other G&A functions to ensure alignment on program strategy, priorities, timelines, resources, budget, and deliverables, ensuring that strategy is reflected in the program operations
• Identify, develop, articulate, and present strategic options to make the best trade-off decisions
• Drive decision making on the program
• Regularly report on program status to ensure visibility to the organization on timelines, progress-to-date, upcoming key milestones, and identified risks
• Foster a culture of accountability, positive team dynamics and cross-functional collaboration
• Work with team to prepare for key regulatory submissions and agency interactions
• Anticipate and mitigate program risks; escalate and resolve key issues efficiently and effectively
• Lead/contribute to special projects, as needed

Qualifications:

• Outstanding leadership skills with a demonstrated track record of success as a team leader
• 8+ years of industry experience in a biopharma environment
• 5+ years in program management leadership roles, managing cross-functional drug development in biologics (preferred) or small molecules
• Advanced technical degree (MD or PhD) is preferred
• Strong knowledge and understanding of global drug product development
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with diverse teams internally and externally
• High level of organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to balance setting strategic direction with a focus on operational excellence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment with deadlines
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Ability to take initiative and build, productive relationships, and work cross-functionally
• Capacity to dig into the details, but also to be a thought partner on “the big picture”
• Demonstrates an outward mindset towards colleagues that is open-minded and others-centered
• Experience with Atopic Dermatitis (AD) or allergy indications preferred but not required.

Astria’s Commitment:

At Astria, we are committed to building a diverse team where every Astrian is empowered to bring their authentic self to work. We embrace a patient-first, people-always culture in which all Astrians and our collaborators have a sense of belonging and receive the support they need to thrive. We invest in our people through our words, our actions, and our values. We are working to develop and implement initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization and foster a culture of openness, respect, and collaboration, where all voices are heard, and everyone is valued for their unique perspectives and contribution.

People are our greatest asset, and only with a diverse team can Astria shine brighter. Together we can bring our passion and compassion to the work of delivering life-changing therapies to patients, families and communities.