Director, Cell Therapy Medical Program Management & Strategic Operations

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Reporting to VP of WW Portfolio strategy, Cell Therapy Medical, the Director of Program Management & Strategic Operations will lead a team of Program Managers supporting Global and US Cell Therapy Medical Affairs and drive strategic operations across the medical organization. The role partners with Medical Affairs leadership to translate strategic priorities into coordinated plans, disciplined execution, governance, and measurable outcomes.

This leader will coach and develop Program Managers, advance enterprise initiatives, support organizational planning and business operations, and enable cross-functional execution across Cell Therapy Medical. Success requires strategic thinking, strong people leadership, organizational influence, and the ability to navigate complexity in a fast-paced environment.

The Director will serve as a connector across Medical Affairs, Commercial, Finance, Corporate Affairs, and enterprise partners to ensure alignment, transparency, and execution of critical priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Program Managers supporting Cell Therapy Medical priorities across global and US teams.

• Establish clear expectations, development plans, and succession strategies for team members.

• Foster a high-performing culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and engagement.

• Build project management capability, standard practices, and operational excellence across the organization.

• Serve as a mentor and strategic advisor to Program Managers navigating complex initiatives.

Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence

• Partner with Medical Affairs leadership to translate strategy into operational plans, milestones, and measurable deliverables.

• Drive annual functional planning, goal setting, budget planning, and business reviews.

• Establish governance processes that support prioritization, decision making, resource allocation, and execution.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce complexity.

• Develop performance indicators and dashboards to monitor organizational effectiveness and execution progress.

Enterprise Programs & Special Initiatives

• Lead high-impact enterprise initiatives across Cell Therapy Medical and broader BMS organizations.

• Coordinate complex cross-functional programs involving multiple stakeholders, workstreams, and senior leaders.

• Identify dependencies, risks, and opportunities, and proactively develop mitigation plans.

• Support organizational transformation, change management, and implementation of new operating models.

• Serve as operational lead for strategic initiatives related to portfolio strategy, congress excellence, AI adoption, data and analytics, organizational effectiveness, and business transformation.

Financial & Resource Management

• Lead organization-wide budget management, including annual planning, forecasting, ongoing tracking, and financial stewardship.

• Monitor resource allocation and utilization across strategic initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to optimize investments and improve operational efficiencies.

• Partner with Finance and functional leaders to support budget governance and business planning activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build partnerships across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Commercial, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Finance, and external stakeholders when appropriate.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on organizational priorities, operational opportunities, and execution challenges.

• Influence across a matrix organization and align stakeholders around shared objectives.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, consulting, or related industries.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional programs and enterprise initiatives.

• Experience managing, coaching, and developing teams.

• Strong business operations, planning, governance, and project management experience.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level presentations and facilitation of cross-functional discussions.

• Ability to influence senior leaders, build alignment, and drive execution across matrix organizations.

Preferred

• Cell therapy, oncology, hematology, or Medical Affairs experience.

• Experience supporting global organizations.

• Experience leading organizational transformation or strategic operations functions.

• PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.

• Experience with portfolio management, business planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated ability to translate long-term priorities into executable plans and business outcomes.

• People Leadership: Proven ability to develop talent, build high-performing teams, and create opportunities for growth and succession.

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We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:

Madison - Giralda - NJ - US: $190,060 - $230,308 Princeton - NJ - US: $190,060 - $230,308

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits:

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).

U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.

Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.

Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working. (https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/ways-of-working/)

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [email protected] . Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

For roles based in Washington State only: If you live in or expect to work from Washington State if hired for this position, please visit this page (https://www.atg.wa.gov/fair-chance-act) for important information about the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection .

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [email protected] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1608004 : Director, Cell Therapy Medical Program Management & Strategic Operations

Req Number: R1608004

Location: Princeton - New Jersey - US

Bristol Myers Squibb is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, gender expression, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.