Senior Director, Project and Alliance Management

About Artiva:
Artiva is clinical-stage, publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies for patients suffering from devastating autoimmune diseases and cancers. Artiva’s lead program, AlloNK, is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf, non-genetically modified NK cell therapy candidate designed to enhance the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effect of monoclonal antibodies to drive B-cell depletion. AlloNK is delivered in the outpatient setting with no required hospitalization.

AlloNK is currently being evaluated in three ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of B-cell driven autoimmune diseases. This includes two company-sponsored trials, one in systemic lupus erythematosus for patients with or without lupus nephritis, and a basket trial across autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Sclerosis, Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Sjögren’s Disease), as well as an investigator-initiated basket trial in B-cell driven autoimmune diseases. Artiva’s pipeline also includes CAR-NK candidates targeting both solid and hematologic cancers.

Artiva was founded in 2019 as a spin out of GC Cell, formerly GC Lab Cell Corporation, a leading healthcare company in the Republic of Korea, pursuant to a strategic partnership granting Artiva exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Asia, Australia and New Zealand) to GC Cell’s NK cell manufacturing technology and programs. Artiva is headquartered in San Diego, California.

For more information, visit www.artivabio.com.

Job Summary:
The Senior Director, Project and Alliance Management, leads Artiva’s project management function and is responsible for the overall accountability and execution of Artiva’s AlloNK development programs in autoimmune disease . This role supports the Program Leader and works alongside Team Leads (TL) to deliver on program plans, budget, and overall support, ensuring alignment across functions and projects. The Senior Director is instrumental in establishing processes and tools, risk assessment, mitigation, and strategic planning, with regard to resources, cross-functional plans and timelines across all programs.  

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assume responsibility for internal project management function
• Manage the resources that support the Project Management team 
• Facilitate the project team meetings, including meeting agendas, minutes, action items and decisions 
• Proactively identify and communicate critical path items to TL’s and subteams 
• Ensure functional activities are carried out according to timelines and within budgeted costs/resources. 
• Develop project plans and timelines; manage the execution of project plans; track and manage milestones within the defined scope, time and cost constraints; support coordination and communication between teams. 
• Facilitate data-driven recommendations at team meetings for endorsement by the Core Team, Program Steering Committee, and/or Executive Team. 
• Track team progress against team, functional and corporate goals 
• Create and maintain project timelines using Project Management software 
• Track tasks and completion status for designated projects 
• Collaborate with key cross-functional teams as needed 
• Coordinate with global partners and stakeholders on program plans and timelines, ensuring compliance and alignment across geographies
• Work collaboratively with G&A, Finance and Business Development to support project goals and objectives. 
• Proactively identify project issues, including those related to timing, resources and funding, to prevent delays in project milestones. Responsible for taking active role in issue resolution and risk mitigation plans. 
• Support project partnerships and alliance, as needed or as determined by project. 
• Ensure all project team members trained proficiently in project management. 
• Manage and coach existing and future project managers.
  
  

Requirements:

• Proficiency with common project management tools, practices, methodology including MS Project and SmartSheet
• Ability to effectively plan, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks and adjust to changing priorities to deliver results to tight deadlines. 
• Ability to think critically, interpret regulations and/or standards, apply them to changes and determine resulting course of action. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build strong alliances internally and externally. 
• Proven conflict management skills 
• Ability to interface at all levels of the organization 
• Strong influencing skills including negotiation, meetings management, and group dynamics, ability to balance concerns of line management with objectives of cross functional teams. 
• Strong knowledge and understanding of global drug product development. 
• Ability to rationalize both strategically and tactically and be able to present recommendations to senior leaders and key stakeholders. 
• Bachelor of Science degree (Biology, immunology, cell or molecular biology preferred) – Graduate degree – Masters/PhD preferred. 
• Direct experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or another complex biologic modality strongly preferred
• Experience supporting clinical (and ideally commercial) stage programs, including global development (U.S. and international markets)
• PMP or similar certification a plus
• Minimum 10 years managing cross functional project teams across clinical development from early to late phase
• Proven knowledge of project management governance 
• Proven experience managing the financial aspects of project management, including planning, negotiating, budgeting, and reporting  

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Why you should apply:
We have a fantastic team and philosophy! We are passionate – we deeply care about our team, our science, and improving the lives of patients. We are tenacious – laser-focused on our mission and undeterred in our commitment to deliver life-saving medicines for cancer patients. We are innovative - pushing into new frontiers for patient benefit. We are transparent - believers in flat, accessible, and open communication paths. We are inclusive – committed to the diversity of our team and ensuring that all voices are heard.

In addition to a great culture, we offer:

• A beautiful facility
• An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment
• Comprehensive benefits, including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Group Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company paid holidays, including the year-end holiday week
• Our recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.
  
  

If all this speaks to you, come join us on our journey!

Base Salary: $230,000 - 260,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.