Job Description

The Company

AAVantgarde is a clinical-stage, international biotechnology company headquartered in Italy. We have developed two cutting-edge AAV vector platforms to overcome DNA cargo limitations, targeting Usher syndrome type 1B and Stargardt disease. Founded by the renowned Professor Alberto Auricchio, a pioneer in gene therapy, our mission is to transform genetic medicine for patients with no current therapeutic options. Join us at AAVantgarde and be a part of our innovative journey to bring the next generation of genetic medicines to those in need.

The Role

We are seeking a Project Manager, Clinical Strategy to join our team and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the CMO's office. This role will report to the Chief Medical Officer. The initial focus of the candidate will be to act as a trusted advisor and a strategic project manager/leader responsible for coordinating cross functional initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams, manage team finances and budget and be a key liaison between the CMO and her team as well as key internal and external stakeholders. The individual will serve as a business partner across the organization to understand clinical and operational needs based on business and project requirements. You will collaborate with colleagues to support the design, implementation, execution, management and improvement of processes within the enabling functions, flexing and adapting to diverse working styles. This role requires a dynamic individual with exceptional organizational, analytical, and leadership skills with the confidence to deal with unexpected challenges and business needs outside your core experience. While you may not always have the immediate answer, you should be a curious empathic who knows how to work with teams to identify solutions and paths forward.

Responsibilities

Strategic Support & Advisory

Partner with the CMO team to define, prioritize, and drive key initiatives aligned with the company's clinical and business objectives. Provide insights, analysis, and recommendations to support decision-making and organizational alignment. Operational Leadership Manage the day-to-day operations of the CMO's office, ensuring seamless execution of activities. Drive project management efforts, tracking milestones, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for clinical and medical affairs initiatives. Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment on timelines, goals, and resource allocation. Represent the CMO in key internal meetings, synthesizing and relaying critical information.

Finance & Budget Oversight

Collaborate with the Finance team to oversee budgets for clinical operations, medical affairs, and associated clinical development functions. Monitor budget performance, identify variances, and develop action plans to ensure financial alignment with organizational goals. Support the CMO in evaluating resource needs and making data-driven recommendations for budget allocation. Develop and track financial forecasts, ensuring alignment with cross-functional project plans and priorities. Partner with department heads to optimize spending efficiency while maintaining high standards of operational excellence.

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as the primary liaison between the CMO and internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders, ensuring clear and consistent communication. Draft executive presentations, reports, and correspondence for internal and external audiences, Italian language translations (if needed), including the Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, and key partners. Develop and execute communication strategies to articulate the CMO's vision and priorities effectively. Leadership Team Coordination Partner with CMO Leadership Team to ensure alignment across leadership initiatives. Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and innovation across the clinical development team.

Special Projects

Lead or support high-priority special projects and initiatives as assigned by the CMO. Conduct research and analysis on emerging trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments in the biotech and pharmaceutical landscape.

Skills and Experience Required

The ideal candidate will bring a pragmatic and solutions-oriented mindset, thriving in a lean and dynamic environment where adaptability and efficiency are key. They will demonstrate strong business judgment, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a structured yet creative approach to problem-solving, often under tight deadlines. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, they will be adept at building relationships across all levels of the organization and presenting complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders. A proven team player and leader, they will be experienced in managing teams and delivering cross-functional projects, with a track record of driving operational excellence and embedding change. The candidate will have approximately 10 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or management consulting, and be highly proficient in Microsoft Office and productivity tools. Experience in compliance program development, process improvement methodologies such as Lean and Design Thinking, and the implementation of enabling functions and automated systems is essential. A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required.

What's in it for You

At AAVantgarde, we believe in creating an environment where our employees can thrive. Our flexible working environment allows you to balance work and life effectively. Our central London office in Holborn offers a prime location with top-notch facilities. As a rapidly growing biotech with recent funding, there are ample opportunities for career advancement, and as we grow, so can you. We offer a generous salary, bonus, pension, health insurance through Vitality, and income protection, ensuring you have the support and resources you need to succeed. Join us and be part of an exciting, innovative journey in the world of biotechnology.

Equal Opportunities

At AAVantgarde, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, collaborative, and inclusive environment. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Recruitment Policy

AAVantgarde's HR team leads all recruitment activities for AAVantgarde globally. AAVantgarde will not recognise any notional ownership recruitment companies claim to hold over candidates they present directly to hiring managers without the AAVantgarde HR team's consent, nor any fees the recruitment company may feel are due as a result of this. Unsolicited resumes sent to AAVantgarde from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and AAVantgarde and do not obligate AAVantgarde to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. We ask that external recruiters and/or agencies not contact or present candidates directly to our hiring managers or employees. If you are interested in becoming a recruitment partner please email the HR team at recruitment@aavantgarde.com