Own and execute program and portfolio management strategy across Akero’s development organization
Serve as primary cross functional integrator, ensuring alignment between strategy, execution, governance and decision making across programs.
Partner with Development Therapeutic Area VPs and senior leaders to advance strategic priorities and ensure clear accountability, ownership, and decision rights.
Design, implement, and run Akero’s development governance model in alignment with the parent organization.
Establish and maintain decision-making frameworks, escalation pathways, and executive visibility into risks, trade-offs, dependencies, and outcomes.
Lead Akero Development governance meetings and ensure consistent alignment with parent company processes and expectations.
Collaborate with TechOps (CMC) to develop, gain approval, and execute on the project strategy in alignment with parent company
Lead cross-functional alignment across departments, proactively identifying and resolving risks, conflicts, and misalignments.
Oversee program timelines, integrated development plans, and delivery of key milestones across the portfolio.
Manage trade-offs and dependencies, escalating issues to senior leadership as needed to maintain progress and alignment.
Identify gaps in capabilities, training, and processes (e.g., GCP training), and partner with Quality to support compliance activities as needed.
Establish scalable systems, templates, tools, and best practices for program and portfolio management.
Own portfolio-level risk and issue management, ensuring mitigation strategies are proactively developed and executed.
Monitor program performance and intervene as needed to keep programs on track.
Partner with Finance and leadership on development budgets, forecasting, and resource allocation across the portfolio.
Build, mentor, and develop program management talent.
Organize and deploy project management support across functional areas and programs.
Foster a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative program management culture.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor's degree required, advanced degree (master's or PhD preferred), preferably within a scientific discipline or other related fields.
15+ years of proven experience in biotech / pharma portfolio and project management at a strategic and operational level
Preferred experience working with Phase III trials for liver indications
Demonstrated ability to lead transformation initiatives and drive organizational change.
Strong financial acumen and experience with budget ownership and planning.
Expertise in governance frameworks and decision-making processes.
Track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
Knowledgeable about lab-engineered analogs highly preferred

Benefits

medical, dental and vision coverage
life insurance
disability insurance
401(k) savings plan
flexible spending accounts
employee assistance program
tuition reimbursement program
group legal
critical illness
identity theft protection
pet insurance
auto/home insurance
sick time policy
flexible vacation policy
parental leave policy

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

program managementportfolio managementgovernance frameworksbudget planningrisk managementproject strategyPhase III trialscompliance activitiesdecision-making processesfinancial acumen

Soft Skills

leadershipstakeholder managementcross-functional collaborationorganizational changementoringcommunicationproblem-solvingaccountabilityteam developmenthigh-performing culture