Principal Program Manager, Drug Discovery (CMC/Toxicology)

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, academic and industry partners, and vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

The Alliance and Program Management group is seeking a Principal Program Manager to support Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) and Toxicology activities across the Drug Discovery and early Development portfolio. This role will partner closely with scientific, technical, and operational leaders across Drug Discovery, Development, Regulatory, Quality, and external partners to ensure effective planning, execution, and integration of CMC and toxicology programs in support of discovery and IND-enabling efforts.

The Principal Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating complex, cross-functional programs spanning early development through IND readiness, including internal activities and external CRO/CDMO collaborations. This role will drive integrated planning, track execution against timelines and budgets, identify interdependencies and risks, and enable clear communication and decision-making across stakeholders. The successful candidate will balance a strategic portfolio-level perspective with detailed oversight of individual CMC and toxicology workstreams to ensure alignment on scope, resourcing, and deliverables.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage medium to large, cross-functional CMC and toxicology programs supporting drug discovery and IND-enabling activities, including programs with external CROs, CDMOs, and industry partners

• Develop and maintain integrated project plans and timelines across CMC, nonclinical safety, regulatory, and discovery interfaces

• Coordinate and manage external engagements, including CROs and CDMOs, ensuring alignment on scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and communication cadence

• Partner with Finance and functional leaders to track budgets, forecasts, and spend for CMC and toxicology programs

• Facilitate cross-functional team meetings, governance forums, and external partner meetings; document decisions, risks, and action items to drive execution and accountability

• Regularly assess program status, identify risks and interdependencies (e.g., material availability, tox study sequencing, regulatory milestones), and proactively propose mitigation strategies

• Support portfolio-level planning, prioritization, and resource allocation across CMC and toxicology activities

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and best practices within Alliance & Program Management

• Serve as alliance manager for selected external partnerships, managing relationships, performance, and issue resolution

• Provide clear, concise communication to stakeholders and leadership on program progress, risks, and decision points

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a life science or engineering discipline required; MS or PhD preferred

• 6+ years of program or project management experience in biotech or pharmaceutical drug development, with direct exposure to CMC and/or toxicology programs

• Working knowledge of CMC development (e.g., drug substance/drug product development, manufacturing, formulation, analytical, supply) and nonclinical toxicology and safety assessment

• Experience managing external CROs/CDMOs and sponsored research or development collaborations

• Familiarity with IND-enabling workflows, development milestones, and regulatory considerations is strongly preferred

• Proficiency with project management tools, methodologies, and best practices; experience with Smartsheet and Google applications preferred

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional teams, manage scope and timelines, and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders

• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex programs and competing priorities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and operational information to scientific, operational, and leadership audiences

• Proven ability to build trusted partnerships and foster collaboration across functions and with external partners

• Experience designing and implementing process improvements in a matrixed organization

• Critical thinker with strong initiative, judgment, and follow-through

• Must be willing to work onsite at least four days per week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $188,000 - $200,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.