Senior Manager, Strategic Management & Excellence (San Diego or Remote)

Reference: 630391Posted: 2026-08-27Location: San Diego, CaliforniaCompany: Planet Pharma GroupContact: ApplicationsEmail: View email address on click.appcast.io Summary:The Senior Manager, Strategic Management & Excellence (SMaE) is responsible for driving the successful execution of Medical Affairs strategic initiatives through project portfolio coordination, budget management, operational planning, and continuous process improvement. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Management & Excellence, this role partners closely with Medical Affairs functional leaders to ensure initiatives are delivered efficiently, resources are aligned to priorities, and departmental operations support the overall Medical Affairs strategy. This position serves as the primary operational lead and subject matter expert for the Global Medical Affairs budget, overseeing annual planning, forecasting, accrual management, financial reporting, and vendor-related financial operations while partnering closely with Finance and Medical Affairs leadership. The role identifies financial and operational risks and develops recommendations to support resource allocation and leadership decision-making. Responsibilities:Strategy, Operations & Project/Portfolio ManagementPartner with the Strategic Management & Excellence team to execute Global Medical Affairs strategic priorities and operational initiatives.Coordinate and lead cross-functional planning and execution for high-impact Global Medical Affairs programs.Identify operational risks and partner with stakeholders to identify, develop, and implement mitigation plans.Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, standardize processes, and improve organizational effectiveness.Lead complex cross-functional Medical Affairs projects from planning through execution.Monitor project timelines, milestones, risks, dependencies, and resource needs across assigned initiatives.Develop and maintain dashboards, KPIs, and operational reports that provide visibility into project status, budget performance, and organizational priorities.Support leadership meetings, annual planning activities, and business review processes.Maintain project documentation and ensure adherence to organizational policies and compliance requirements. Budget & Financial ManagementManagement of the annual Global Medical Affairs operating budget, including budget planning, forecasting, accrual tracking, and variance analysis.Day-to-day management of the Global Medical Affairs budget and spend, including:Overseeing purchase orders, invoices, vendor payments, and budget reconciliation activities.Partner with Finance, business owners and SMaE to monitor spending and support financial reporting.Regularly support business planning by providing financial insights and recommendations.Coordinate the annual Medical Affairs planning cycle, including budget development, portfolio prioritization, operational planning, and leadership review processes. Knowledge Management & CollaborationServe as the Medical Affairs Strategic Management & Excellence SharePoint site owner, ensuring content is current, organized, and aligned with business needs.Develop and maintain SharePoint sites, document libraries, workflows, and permissions to support effective collaboration, knowledge management, and document governance.Establish and maintain standards for document organization, version control, and information architecture to improve accessibility and consistency across Medical Affairs.Partner with stakeholders to identify opportunities to leverage SharePoint and Microsoft 365 tools to streamline business processes, enhance communication, and improve operational efficiency.Provide guidance and training to team members on SharePoint best practices and promote adoption of collaboration tools across the Medical Affairs organization.Additional duties assigned as needed. Education/Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field required. Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, MS, or related field) preferred. Equivalent combination of education and applicable job experience may be considered.7+ years of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry experience required.Experience supporting Medical Affairs, Medical Operations, Strategic Operations, PMO, or comparable functions.Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional projects and initiatives.Experience managing departmental budgets and financial processes. PMP certification or equivalent project management certification a plus.Experience in nephrology, rare disease, or specialty therapeutics preferred. Additional Skills/Experience:The ideal candidate will embody core values: Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus and Teamwork.Driven, intelligent, passionate about making a difference for patients with rare diseases.Strong project and portfolio management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.Working experience with budget planning, forecasting, and financial management.Analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills with a strong attention to detail and execution focus, as well as the ability to plan and prioritize.Process improvement and operational excellence, with experience in communicating to executives, presenting ideas to team members, and facilitating group discussions to result in decision-making.Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including a strong fluency in SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel and pivot tables; Smartsheet experience preferred.Ability to travel 20% domestic and internationally. Pay $132-172K based on experience level