Associate Director, Project Management

Lakefront Biotherapeutics, a global biotech headquartered in Belgium and the United States, is driven by a clear mission: to deliver best-in-class medicines that transform patients’ lives. We accelerate breakthrough science and innovation in areas of high unmet need, with a primary focus on immunology and oncology.

Are you ready to transform lives and be part of a journey like no other? We’re on a mission to uncover groundbreaking medicines that enhance the quality of life, and we’re inviting experienced individuals like you to join us. In every challenge, we see your opportunity. We’re seeking pioneers, not just employees. We are seeking thought leaders and rapid thinkers, individuals who possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have no tolerance for the status quo.

We seek collaborative innovators and unwavering idealists. In short, we’re in search of the best-in-class, and that’s where you come in. You are the ‘Make-it-Happener’ with a proactive problem-solving, ‘no task too big’ and ‘no task too small,’ mindset.

Your passion, innovation, and drive will shape the future of life-improving medicines. If you’re ready to pioneer for patients, challenge the norm, and create transformative solutions, then we’re excited to meet you.

Lakefront Biotherapeutics is looking for a collaborative Associate Director, Project Management to help drive early development programs, with an expected focus on Phase I/II clinical development in autoimmune diseases. This role will partner closely with Clinical Development and Clinical Operations and will integrate inputs across CMC, Research/Preclinical, Translational Medicine, Regulatory, Safety, Biometrics, Finance, and external partners. The ideal candidate brings strong clinical project management experience and exceptional soft skills: emotional intelligence, structured communication, sound judgment, and the ability to guide teams with diverse personalities and priorities through ambiguity and decision-making. This is a hands-on matrix leadership role for a practical PM who can create clarity, maintain momentum, and help teams translate strategy into integrated plans and timely execution.

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  Drive day-to-day project management planning and coordination for one or more early development programs, with primary emphasis on Phase I/II clinical development activities.

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  Partner with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, and functional leads to build and maintain integrated development plans, program timelines, milestone maps, critical path analyses, risk/issue logs, action trackers, and decision logs.

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  Facilitate cross-functional program and study team meetings, including agenda-setting, pre-read coordination, decision capture, action follow-up, and escalation of key issues.

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  Guide cross-functional teams through competing priorities and ambiguity by building trust, clarifying ownership, encouraging balanced input, and driving alignment around decisions and next steps.

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  Coordinate with CMC, Research/Preclinical, Translational Medicine, Regulatory, Safety/Pharmacovigilance, Biometrics, Data Management, Quality, Finance, and external partners to ensure program plans are integrated and interdependencies are visible.

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  Support clinical execution planning and governance activities, including study team coordination, vendor and CRO milestone tracking as appropriate, key deliverables, and readiness for internal decision points.

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  Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and resource constraints; partner with the Sr. Director, Project Management and functional leaders on mitigation options and timely escalation.

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  Prepare concise program updates, dashboards, and materials for leadership, governance, partnership, and board discussions as requested.

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  Contribute to fit-for-purpose PM processes, templates, and tools that support a lean startup environment without adding unnecessary complexity.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Advanced degree (Master's, PhD, PharmD, or MBA) is a plus but not required if relevant experience is present.

• 8+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience, including 5+ years in project/program management or closely related drug development roles.

• Hands-on experience supporting clinical development programs is required; early clinical development experience, including Phase I/II programs, is strongly preferred.

• Experience in autoimmune diseases is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence matrix teams without direct authority, with strong emotional intelligence, listening skills, facilitation, conflict resolution, and written/verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to create alignment among diverse stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and keep teams focused on high-impact activities and timely decisions.

• Working knowledge of clinical development, clinical operations, and development governance, with the ability to understand and integrate cross-functional inputs into practical program plans.

• Cross-functional experience across CMC, Research/Preclinical, Translational Medicine, Regulatory, Safety/Pharmacovigilance, Biometrics/Data Management, Quality, Finance, and/or external partners is a plus.

• Background in biologics or antibody-based therapeutics is a plus.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, early-stage company environment where priorities may evolve and processes must be appropriately scaled.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to balance rigorous project management discipline with pragmatic execution and team flexibility.

• Skillful in relevant project management tools and methodologies, such as Gantt charts, MS Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OnePager, Power BI, integrated portfolio management, and/or PPM platforms.

• Prior direct people management experience is helpful but not required; successful matrix leadership and team facilitation are essential.