The Opportunity

The unprecedented convergence of multi-modal data, advanced disease modeling, and computational power is revolutionizing drug discovery. insitro is harnessing this moment to redefine how medicines are developed for complex diseases. Our AI/ML-enabled platforms integrate and scale data to rapidly discover novel biological insights to redefine complex diseases and identify new targets and drugs. To enable this vision we are seeking a Senior Director of Project & Portfolio Management (PPM) who will build an AI-forward PPM organization that will partner with Therapeutic Area, Operations, Clinical and Business Development teams to discover and advance a high-value portfolio of exciting drug candidates into the clinic for neurological, ophthalmological and metabolic indications.

Reporting into the CSO, you and your staff will partner with project team leaders in developing rightsized project strategies and create successful team environments to foster high performance and rapid advancement. You will develop and execute high quality integrated project plans with clear timelines spanning research, discovery, clinical development, software engineering, and data science/machine learning. As the leader of PPM you will partner with Compute, Operations and Finance colleagues in establishing agentic AI project management, decision and resource allocation tools and methodologies across our portfolio to support critical initiatives.

This role will be hybrid, coming onsite to our South San Francisco headquarters with three days per week in the office.

About You

BS degree required in a life science field, MS or PhD preferred

Minimum of 15 years of experience in biotech/pharmaceutical industry in the R&D and clinical development space, including 8+ years in project/portfolio leadership leading cross-functional matrix teams

Extensive knowledge of the drug development process and deliverables at each stage of the pipeline across at least one preferred drug modality (recombinant biologic, small molecule, oligonucleotide), with deep experience in translational stages, CMC workflows, early commercial assessment and clinical development (IND into Phase 2)

Highly skilled at conventional project management – driving execution while balancing speed, quality, and cost including proficiency with project management tools and software, e.g., critical path analyses, scenario planning, budget and resource management

Exposure to the design and implementation of agentic workflows in a pharma or biotech environment

Experience with setting up or leading decision making bodies (governance) and/or portfolio planning and reviews processes with appropriate decision tools

Solid understanding of metabolism, neuroscience or ophthalmology disease areas and its competitive environment with the ability to take part in strategic discussions

Previous experience in high visibility roles requiring the ability to think strategically and summarize complex information into important concepts for broader communication including executive leaders

Deep experience leading matrix team meetings to enable collaboration, decision-making, and alignment with internal and external customers while leading all aspects of project scope, deliverables, risks, and resources

Ability to resolve complex problems using strong interpersonal skills while building and maintaining positive working relationships with collaborators

Comfortable working in dynamic startup settings; adept at navigating ambiguity, evolving priorities, and time/resource constraints.

Self-directed and proactive with ability to exercise good judgment and respond quickly and effectively to changing environments

Nice to Have

Project Management Certification (PMP or equivalent)

Familiarity with Google Suite and Smartsheets strongly preferred

Prior use of generative AI tools / LLM technologies in day-to-day work (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)

Understanding of high-content human data modalities (e.g., genetics/genomics, histopathological imaging, spatial biology) and data generation technologies