Associate Program Director, Dravet

About This Role

This person is a hands-on leader with responsibility for advancing the execution of significant elements of program strategy and cross-functional execution for the Dravet (Zorevunersen) program. Strong performance in this role enables the Zorevunersen PDC Lead to focus on enterprise strategy, external engagement, and key inflection-point decisions. This role requires a talented individual with experience integrating cross-functional perspectives into program priorities, decisions, and execution. The individual will work closely with a diverse set of cross-functional partners across the company and provide leadership within the cross-functional PDC team as we prepare for potential global launch of Zorevunersen.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the PDC Lead to translate asset strategy into an actionable, integrated program plan and ensure alignment across clinical, regulatory, medical, access, and commercial functions. Drive scenario planning and trade-off analyses to support key strategic decisions, and integrate the external landscape, including competition, regulatory evolution, and advocacy insights, into program planning.

• Lead coordination across core functions including Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Medical and Patient Engagement, Market Access and Commercial, and CMC/Supply to ensure clear accountability, alignment, and delivery against key milestones. Lead the preparation of the DASP (Disease Area Strategy Plan) as well as the communications team, including key external milestones, PR and earnings preparation, and internal communications. Provide oversight of device integration to ensure these critical workstreams are fully connected to the overall asset strategy and execution. Proactively identify and resolve cross-functional gaps or misalignments to maintain program momentum.

• Own the integrated development and operating plan, including timelines, critical path, milestones, deliverables, and resource and budget assumptions, ensuring all cross-functional workstreams are fully integrated into the overall asset plan. Track performance and drive on-time, high-quality execution while leading risk management through identification, mitigation, and escalation of key program risks.

• Lead program governance in close partnership with the PDC Lead, including preparation and orchestration of PDC and sub-team forums, structuring decision frameworks, and ensuring clarity on decision versus information topics. Maintain decision logs, action tracking, and governance discipline, and ensure transparent, fact-based escalation of key risks and decisions.

• Operate as a central connector across a complex, global matrix and influence senior stakeholders across R&D and Commercial without direct authority. Foster a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team environment, and promote clarity of roles, decision rights, and ways of working.

• Embed patient-centric thinking into program planning and execution by integrating insights from patient advocacy groups, key opinion leaders, and clinical experts. Ensure the program reflects the urgent unmet need in Dravet syndrome and remains externally informed throughout development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in drug development and commercialization with exceptional business acumen and executive, general management perspective.

• Demonstrated strong analytical and leadership skills, including creative, problem-solving mindset.

• Ability to rapidly identify key priorities, align strategic and tactical plans, and influence & motivate cross-functional teams.

• Outstanding relationship building and communication skills, including ability to navigate throughout the organization and with individuals at all levels.

• Experience establishing and managing highly effective external collaborations, including familiarity with contractual, financial and compliance considerations.

• Very Strong project leadership (scoping project goals, stakeholder planning, etc.) and project management skills required.

• Prior experience working within a Product Development & Commercialization organization, Global Medicines Development, or cross-functional R&D/commercial team is preferred; rare disease and launch preparation experience are a plus.

 

Job Level: Management