Director, Program Management, Neurology - Cambridge, MA

About BlueRock Therapeutics · BlueRock Therapeutics, a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a clinical-stage engineered cell therapy company pioneering a new generation of cellular medicines. Powered by our proprietary · CELL+GENE platform · , we dir ...

Job description

About BlueRock Therapeutics
BlueRock Therapeutics, a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a clinical-stage engineered cell therapy company pioneering a new generation of cellular medicines. Powered by our proprietary
CELL+GENE platform
, we direct cellular differentiation and apply precise genetic engineering to create transformative therapies for patients with serious neurological and ophthalmological diseases.

Founded in 2016, BlueRock sits at the intersection of stem cell biology and genetic engineering. Our mission is to deliver authentic, functional cell therapies that address the root causes of disease—and to bring durable hope to patients with limited or no treatment options.

What We Do
Our foundational science enables the generation and directed differentiation of universal pluripotent stem cells into authentic, functional cells for allogeneic cell therapies. We are driven by scientific rigor, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to patients as we help shape the future of regenerative medicine.

Our Neurology Vision
BlueRock is advancing a differentiated pipeline of cell therapies in neurology focused on neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. Our lead program,
bemdaneprocel (DA01)
, is a first in class allogeneic cell therapy designed to replace lost dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease and is currently in Phase 3 development (exPDite2) across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Our emerging neurology programs, including
DA02
and
MG0X
, are in research stages and target additional high impact neurological conditions. Together, these programs reflect our ambition to restore function, slow or halt disease progression, and meaningfully transform standards of care.

Our Ophthalmology Vision
BlueRock is expanding its CELL+GENE platform into ophthalmology to address critical unmet needs in retinal disease. Our lead ophthalmology program,
OpCT001
, is a first-in-class allogeneic cell therapy designed to replace damaged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in patients with advanced retinal disorders, including geographic atrophy secondary to age related macular degeneration. OpCT001 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical study (CLARICO).

Across all programs, BlueRock is committed to the highest standards of scientific excellence, ethics, compliance, and patient centric decision making, supported by a collaborative and inclusive culture.

About The Role
The
Director, Program Management – DA02
will provide strategic and operational leadership for the DA02 neurology program as it advances toward IND submission and first in human clinical studies. This is a highly visible role that sits at the center of cross-functional execution, ensuring alignment to program strategy, timelines, resources, and enterprise objectives as this next generation cell therapy progresses.

Reporting to the
Vice President, Clinical Development – Neurology
, this role partners closely with program and platform leaders to translate strategy into integrated, executable plans spanning CMC, nonclinical, clinical, regulatory, and supporting functions. The position is based at BlueRock's headquarters in
Cambridge, MA
, with flexibility for a hybrid work model.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in scientific, technical, or operational roles within biopharma, coupled with deep experience in program leadership across IND enabling and early clinical development. Success in this role requires exceptional collaboration, clarity of communication, sound judgment, and a genuine passion for advancing innovative medicines to patients.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Execution
• Partner with program and functional leaders to define and refine program strategy and drive disciplined operational execution.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously optimize integrated program plans encompassing CMC, nonclinical, clinical, regulatory, and enabling activities.
• Maintain a holistic view of program status, proactively identifying risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies, and communicating clearly with stakeholders.
• Drive alignment and decisionmaking around goals, milestones, timelines, budgets, assumptions, and critical path activities.
• Translate corporate strategy into actionable team and individual objectives, with regular progress assessment.

Governance, Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and facilitate program team and governance meetings, including agenda development, preparation of materials, clear documentation, and followup.
• Collaborate with functional leaders on budget and resource planning.
• Communicate program progress and outlook across the organization with transparency and clarity.
• Contribute to the evolution of program management best practices, tools, and operating models.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Champion innovative tools, processes, and ways of working that enhance execution in the cell therapy development environment.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide coaching and mentorship to team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences or a related field (advanced degree preferred: MS, PhD, PharmD, MD, NP, or PA).
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience, including 5–7 years in program or project management leadership within biopharma.
• Demonstrated experience advancing programs through IND submission and into clinical development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a matrix environment.
• Proven effectiveness in cross functional leadership and stakeholder relationship management.
• Experience in cell or gene therapy is preferred; candidates without direct experience must demonstrate strong interest and aptitude to deeply understand BlueRock's technology.
• Proficiency with MS Project and/or Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Formal program management training or certification (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Travel periodically to BlueRock locations (Cambridge, NYC, Toronto) or other geographies as needed for the program (scientific meetings, regulatory engagements, etc).
• Target Base Salary: $197,000-$232,000

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.