Principal Lead, Technical Program Manager (Drug Design and Medical Research)

Isomorphic Labs is applying frontier AI to help unlock deeper scientific insights, faster breakthroughs, and life-changing medicines with an ambition to solve all disease. The future is coming. A future enabled and enriched by the incredible power of machine learning. A future in which diseases are curtailed or cured starting with better and faster drug discovery. Come and be part of an interdisciplinary team driving groundbreaking innovation and play a meaningful role in contributing towards us achieving our ambitious goals, while being a part of an inspiring and collaborative culture. The world we want tomorrow is the one we’re building today. It starts with the culture at this company. It starts with you. About Iso Isomorphic Labs (IsoLabs) was launched in 2021 to advance human health by building on and beyond the Nobel-winning AlphaFold system. Since then, our interdisciplinary team of drug discovery experts and machine learning specialists has built powerful new predictive and generative AI models that accelerate scientific discovery at digital speed. Our name comes from the belief that there is an underlying symmetry between biology and information science. By harnessing AI’s powerful capabilities, we can use it to model complex biological phenomena to help design novel molecules, anticipate how drugs will perform and develop innovative medicines to treat and cure some of the world’s most devastating diseases. We have built a world-leading drug design engine comprising AI models that are capable of working across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. We are continually innovating on model architecture and developing cutting-edge capabilities to advance rational drug design. Every day, and with each new breakthrough, we’re getting closer to the promise of digital biology, and achieving our ambitious mission to one day solve all disease with the help of AI. Your impact This is a pivotal role where you will not only lead complex, high-impact programs but also shape the future of our DDMR technical program management discipline. As our Drug Design and Medical Research (DDMR) function continues to grow and scale, we are excited to have the opportunity to hire an experienced Principal Technical Program Manager, to partner closely with our Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Chief Research Officer (CRO) and lead some of our most critical Drug Design initiatives here at Iso. As a senior member of the Technical Program Management (TPM) team, you will be accountable for driving progress across the key strategic areas of our (DDMR) function. You will provide strategic leadership and hands-on management, partnering with DDMR leadership to integrate across our key strategic DDMR areas in alignment with company-level goals, elevating and evolving our DDMR operating model as we progress towards our mission. You will partner with key internal, cross-functional stakeholders including our Principal TPM Lead for AI & Tech, Alliance Management, Finance, Legal, and Business Development to deliver on our ambitious mission. If you are a proven leader looking to make a significant impact on the trajectory of an organisation, this is an unparalleled opportunity. What you will do Lead Technical Program Management across our complex, company-wide, AI-first Drug Design initiatives, overseeing the entire lifecycle from strategic planning and resourcing through to execution, risk management, and successful delivery. You’ll bring an interdisciplinary approach to this, ensuring integration and connection with AI, Tech, Finance, Legal and other internal stakeholders. Partner with the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Chief Research Officer (CRO) to design, communicate and implement a functional operating model that seamlessly integrates across our DDMR strategic areas and aligns execution with overarching company goals, in particular innovating around capacity and resource management as we scale our portfolio. Proactively identify risks, gaps, pain points and opportunities, prioritise them and get the buy-in to effect change and elevate how DDMR operates, keeping things lean and minimising work for others. Partner with, and sometimes act as the voice of, the CSO and CRO on the strategic development of our Drug Design portfolio, planning for the future in alignment with company direction, ambitions and strategy, including collaborating on exploratory strategic questions and initiatives. Leverage data to strategise, identify areas for process and program improvement and plan for future significant programs. An excellent communicator, you’ll independently gather input and develop and translate content for the CSO and CRO for forums including Iso’s Executive Leadership Team and the Board. Act as an operational architect for the DDMR function, defining program management standards and best practices that enable scientific teams to scale efficiently. Bridge the gap between technical AI/Tech requirements and drug design milestones, ensuring alignment across the portfolio. Align and partner with the Alliance Management team to ensure effective collaboration between both departments, and ensure consistency in how both partnered and internal programs are managed. People management of individuals in the DDMR TPM discipline, fostering a culture of high performance and enabling them to deliver in their strategic areas. You’ll role model a growth mindset by pursuing the latest industry thinking and using new concepts to enhance functional practices. Skills and qualifications Essential: Proven track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary programs in high-growth, fast-paced Extensive industry experience successfully leading complex, multi-disciplinary drug design programs from inception to key milestones. A strong working knowledge of the drug discovery and development lifecycle, with the ability to translate scientific milestones into actionable, strategic plans. Proven track record of designing, implementing and refining program management frameworks and best practices within a growing organisation. Expertise in strategic risk management, including the ability to identify, mitigate and clearly communicate program risks to executive leadership. Significant experience in managing and developing Technical Program Managers, fostering a culture of growth and high performance. Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, proven ability to engage and influence at all levels; ability to partner with executive leadership and act as a "technical translator" across cross-functional teams. Significant experience managing budgets, including planning, forecasting, troubleshooting and identifying efficiencies. A strategic and data-driven mindset, with experience using data to inform and influence strategy, drive improvements and deliver on company-level annual goals. Nice to have: Academic background in Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline. Formal program management qualification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) Proficiency with program management and collaboration software such as Jira and Confluence. Culture and values We are guided by our shared values. It's not about finding people who think and act in the same way. These values help to guide our work and will continue to strengthen it. Thoughtful Thoughtful at Iso is about curiosity, creativity and care. It is about good people doing good, rigorous and future-making science every single day. Brave Brave at Iso is about fearlessness, but it’s also about initiative and integrity. The scale of the challenge demands nothing less. Determined Determined at Iso is the way we pursue our goal. It’s a confidence in our hypothesis, as well as the urgency and agility needed to deliver on it. Because disease won’t wait, so neither should we. Together Together at Iso is about connection, collaboration across fields and catalytic relationships. It’s knowing that transformation is a group project, and remembering that what we’re doing will have a real impact on real people everywhere. Creating an extraordinary company We believe that to be successful we need a team with a range of skills and talents. We're building an environment where collaboration is fundamental, learning is shared and every employee feels supported and able to thrive. We value unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, and perspectives, and harness these qualities to create extraordinary impact. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know. Hybrid working It’s hugely important for us to share knowledge and build strong relationships with each other, and we find it easier to do this if we spend time together in person. This is why we follow a hybrid model, and would require you to be able to come into the office 3 days a week (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, and one other day depending on which team you’re in). If you have additional needs that would prevent you from following this hybrid approach, we’d be happy to talk through these if you’re selected for an initial screening call. Please note that when you submit an application, your data will be processed in line with our privacy policy. >> Click to view other open roles at Isomorphic Labs