R&D Program Manager
Operations
Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
USD 140k-160k / year + Equity
About SpyGlass Pharma:
At SpyGlass Pharma (NASDAQ: SGP), we are focused on improving and preserving the vision of patients suffering from chronic eye conditions, while minimizing the impact on their daily lives. We aim to achieve this by developing cutting-edge long-term drug delivery products to address common causes of blindness and getting these products to the patients that need them.
We have built a highly collaborative team with deep expertise across ophthalmology, drug delivery, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Our scientists, engineers, and clinical leaders bring decades of experience developing and commercializing breakthrough technologies, united by a shared commitment to patients and our guiding principle: “We create for patients.” That mindset shapes how we build our products, our teams, and our culture.
Backed by strong clinical progress, significant funding, and a growing organization, SpyGlass Pharma is entering an exciting stage of growth as we advance our lead program, the SpyGlass BIM-IOL, through Phase 3 clinical development.
Summary:
SpyGlass Pharma is seeking a high-potential R&D Program Manager with strong execution focus to join our growing Program Management team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Program Management, this role will support and gradually take on leadership of cross-functional R&D projects across the product development lifecycle, ensuring alignment of activities, timelines, and deliverables.
This position is ideal for candidates with hands-on experience in pharmaceutical or medical device R&D who are looking to expand into program management and build capabilities in integrated planning, cross-functional coordination, and program execution.
The successful candidate will bring strong operational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to connect interdependent activities to drive project outcomes in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, while gaining exposure to broader program objectives and company priorities. This role offers the opportunity to progressively take on increased ownership and responsibility, with a clear path toward leading cross-functional programs.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Supports development and maintenance of cross-functional project plans, including timelines, milestones, and dependencies
- Tracks progress against deliverables and proactively identifies risks, delays, and downstream impacts across functions
- Contributes to ensuring functional activities are aligned into a cohesive, executable project plan
- Coordinates with Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, and other functions to ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and priorities
- Drives follow-up on action items and ensures accountability across team members
- Builds strong working relationships across functions to support effective collaboration
- Identifies, assesses, and tracks project risks and issues, including potential impact on timelines, scope, and key milestones
- Escalates risks and issues in a timely manner, providing clear context and potential impact to support decision-making
- Prepares project status updates, dashboards, and presentations for team and leadership review
- Facilitates team meetings, including agenda development, clear documentation of decisions, and tracking of action items to closure
- Maintains organized and accurate project documentation and repositories, ensuring accessibility and consistency across timelines, presentations, and team materials
- Contributes to business process and systems improvement through Program Management departmental assignments
Qualifications Required For Position:
- Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or related discipline
- 3–6 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device R&D including experience supporting cross-functional projects or project management activities
- Foundational understanding of product development lifecycles (early stage through clinical to commercialization) and regulatory environment governing drug and device development
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and identify dependencies across workstreams in a cross-functional environment
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Qualifications Preferred For Position:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or training
- Experience within one or more R&D functions (e.g., Clinical, CMC, Product Development) in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device environments
- Experience supporting cross-functional projects or development programs
- Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms)
- Experience in ophthalmology or combination product development (strong plus)
Why SpyGlass Pharma?
- We are offering a range of $140,000 - $160,000, based on experience and qualifications, along with an Annual Bonus opportunity.
- Share in our success with stock options, giving you a stake in the company’s future.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans to keep you and your family healthy and happy, with a variety of plan and coverage options.
- Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation days, and personal leave.
SpyGlass Pharma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. SpyGlass Pharma takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
SpyGlass Pharma is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to JOBS@SPYGLASSPHARMA.COM and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.