Director, Program Management, Next Wave

Job Description

Job Description

Scholar Rock is a late-stage global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing apitegromab for children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other rare, severe, and debilitating neuromuscular diseases. As a global leader in myostatin biology, a field focused on proteins that regulate muscle mass, the Company is named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures. Our commitment to unlock fundamentally different treatment approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients through its highly innovative anti-myostatin program, including opportunities in additional rare neuromuscular diseases. Learn more at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock on X and on LinkedIn .

Summary of Position:

Scholar Rock is seeking a Director, Next Wave, Program Management to serve as the primary operational partner for the Next Wave Program Team.

The Next Wave team is responsible for advancing Scholar Rock’s portfolio of pipeline programs from translation to clinical proof-of concept. This role, reporting to the VP, Head of Program Leadership & Management, will ensure the Next Wave team urgently progresses future innovation with precision, alignment and cross-functional rigor. The position is designed for a high-accountability individual who partners seamlessly with the Program Leader and requires the professional range and horsepower to be the operational anchor for multiple development programs at different stages, while also serving as a strategic thought-partner to the Program Leader.

Position ResponsibilitiesOperational Excellence & Team Effectiveness

• Operational Leadership: Operationalize the transitions that move medicines forward for the Next Wave team. You are responsible for the team’s day-to-day functionality, ensuring that cross-functional workflows are clear, dependencies are managed, and the "machinery" of the program runs without friction.
• Meeting Governance & Rigor: Own the architecture of Team interactions. This involves more than scheduling; you will drive the agenda to ensure decision-making, personally capture and disseminate critical actions, and relentlessly follow up to ensure completion.
• Information Flow: Facilitate clear, accurate communication across functions and sub-teams. You are responsible for ensuring that all functions are working from the same assumptions and that critical information—including sensitive or confidential updates—is shared with the right stakeholders at the right time.
• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Build and maintain integrated program plans that drive performance through critical path planning and identification of risks. Serve as the team’s early warning system for operational risks — particularly those in the "white space" between functions — and drive them to resolution before they impact the critical path.

Portfolio Execution & Planning

• Portfolio Ownership: Support the early pipeline beyond any single study. You will help the team and Program Lead manage the complexity of advancing multiple programs in the context of shared resources & infrastructure, ensuring focus on the critical path for each.
• Scenario Planning: Partner with the Program Leader to scope and tackle operational & strategic scenarios. You will provide the feasibility assessments and data required to evaluate trade-offs and make informed business decisions.

Candidate Requirements

• Education: MS or BS Degree in a Scientific or related field
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug development, with specific experience leading teams through Ph1 and Ph2 clinical study start-up
• Pipeline Skillset: Must possess a strong knowledge of early-to-mid stage clinical development including regulatory milestones, clinical operation activities and CMC needs. The ideal candidate has experience across the drug lifecycle, from translation to Ph2 clinical trials, and understands how program needs evolve.
• Professional Orientation: A low-ego, high-output mindset. You prioritize team success over hierarchy and demonstrate a willingness to own tasks of all sizes—from strategic planning to administrative execution—to ensure the program succeeds.
• Discretion: Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and potentially material information with professional judgment and integrity.
• Technical Proficiency: Day-one ability to develop and implement project management best-practices utilizing project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project)

Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees .