Senior Manager, Strategic Programs Lead

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

At Bristol Myers Squibb we are reimagining the future of cell therapy. With our bold ambition, backed by a best-in-the-industry team and long-term commitment, we are leading the way to unlock the full promise of cell therapy as we strive to put more patients on the path to a cure. If you are ready to challenge yourself, accelerate your career, and give new hope to patients, there’s no better place than here at BMS with our Cell Therapy team.

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager, Strategic Programs Lead to join our Strategy and Business Excellence team within Cell Therapy. This role will be responsible for leading key program initiatives and managing select projects to drive operational excellence across our cell therapy sites. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in program management & leadership, business process improvements, financial accounting, capital expenditure (CapEx) planning and forecasting, and advanced data literacy.

Shifts Available:

Monday – Friday, Standard Working Hours

Responsibilities:

• Lead and drive strategic program initiatives to support the growth and operational excellence of functional teams within cell therapy.
• Project manage multiple cross-functional projects, ensuring timely delivery, effective stakeholder engagement, and achievement of project objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement improvements in business processes at each cell therapy site and track execution.
• Collaborate with site leadership and functional teams to develop and optimize CapEx planning and forecasting processes.
• Aggregate, analyze, and visualize operational and financial data using advanced Excel and Power BI skills to provide actionable insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Create and drive timelines to keep program(s) on schedule. Prepare program timelines, identifying all significant activities, dependencies, resources, and milestones. Conduct continual review and analysis of critical path activities and communicate any perceived risks for budget or timeline in a timely manner.
• Support the development and execution of long-term business strategies for Cell Therapy.
• Facilitate change management and adoption of new processes and systems across sites.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations in all business processes and financial activities.
• Challenge assumptions, timelines and expenses at the program level; pressure test plans; and create alternative scenarios, highlighting interdependencies and downstream impacts of strategic decisions.
• Manage team meetings including developing agendas and documenting decisions and action items.
• Proactively identify risks and ensure mitigation plans are implemented
• Maintain effective communication across the program team through oral and written correspondence.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Leadership: Ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders at all levels, including executives with differing priorities. High degree of customer focus and collaboration in a team environment
• Enterprise Mindset: Capable of building and maintaining networks within and outside of the organization to both strengthen the understanding of the big picture and leverage diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise to maximize performance.
• Change Agility: Capable of constantly thinking ahead and scanning the environment for opportunities. The ability to navigate ambiguity for themselves by demonstrating smart risk taking and personal resilience. Lead others through change by continuously creating the context and engaging individuals.
• Organization and Problem Solving: Delivery - gets the job done. Exhibits a sense of urgency on critical time-dependent issues. Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to manage various priorities and timelines. Problem-solving skill set with the ability to lead strong personalities and drive open items to effective resolution. The ability to work through ambiguity and independently. Capable of creating structure & process where required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, MS) preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in strategy, business excellence, project management, or related roles, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record of leading program initiatives and managing complex projects.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in financial accounting, CapEx planning, and forecasting.
• Advanced data literacy, including expertise in Excel (pivot tables, advanced formulas, data modeling) and Power BI (dashboard creation, data visualization, reporting).
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and manage change in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in cell therapy or advanced therapies is a plus.
• PMP or similar project management certification is desirable.
• Six Sigma / Lean certification preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with ability to multi-task several objectives in parallel and to work independently with high level of accountability.
• Customer/patient-focused mindset, with excellent listening and interpersonal skills
• Superior written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaborate within a matrixed organization.

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If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Bothell - WA - US: $141,660 - $171,660 Madison - Giralda - NJ - US: $128,780 - $156,055

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.