At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive portfolio focus and manage discovery operations across innovative biotech programs.
- Company: Dynamic biotech firm focused on impactful drug discovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Join a team making real-world impact in healthcare through cutting-edge research.
- Qualifications: PhD preferred, with 5-10 years in biotech/pharma and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
As Discovery Portfolio Manager, you will drive the portfolio focus, discovery operations and execution across a rapidly evolving pipeline of programs and platform capabilities. This is a high-impact, hands-on role operating across preclinical discovery, strategy, and execution. You will work closely with the discovery scientific program leaders, internal matrix teams and external partners to ensure our programs progress efficiently from discovery to high-value assets. You will have visibility across the full portfolio, enabling better decisions on what to prioritise, accelerate, or stop — and how to do so efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive Portfolio Focus & Decision-Making
- Continuously help to prioritise programs across AOCs, drug delivery strategies, and platform innovations
- Help define what work is best performed internally vs externally
- Manage and coordinate CRO operational activities across the discovery portfolio in collaboration with discovery program leads and matrix teams
- Work with scientific preclinical project leaders to ensure externally generated data is:
- high quality
- timely
- aligned with program decision needs
- Prevent “black box” outsourcing by maintaining scientific and operational visibility
- Embed Scientific Operations Across the Discovery Portfolio
- Establish lightweight systems for:
- portfolio tracking
- experiment-to-decision alignment
- cross-program visibility
- Facilitate discovery project teams in best practices around:
- planning experiments and storing data
- tracking project progress against agreed deliverables
- making effective data-driven decisions
- Ensure consistency in how data is generated, evaluated, and used across programs
- Translate Platform into Pipeline
- Ensure platform capabilities (e.g. conjugation chemistry, targeting strategies, payload optimisation) are translated into repeatable, scalable programs
- Help define what is platform vs asset-specific work
- Act as a Force Multiplier to Leadership
- Support Scientific and corporate leadership with portfolio reviews and strategic decisions
- Prepare materials for board and investor updates
- Bring structure to ambiguous problems and drive alignment across teams
Person Specification
- PhD (preferred) in molecular biology, chemistry, or related field
- PMP qualification ideal
- 5–10+ years in biotech/pharma, with exposure to:
- antibody therapeutics, oligonucleotides, or conjugates
- early discovery and preclinical development
- Managing complex R&D programs in fast-paced environments
- Working across internal teams and external partners/CROs
- Experience with multi-disciplinary or platform-based programs
- Comfortable operating in high ambiguity, low structure environments
Values and Culture
- Walk on Air: Pursue bold ideas with ambition to solve meaningful problems that create real impact
- Time is Neurons: Every moment counts for patients – act with urgency and care, making data-driven decisions without compromise.
- Win or Learn: Embrace curiosity, adapt quickly and continuously improve
- We Before Me: Seek diverse perspectives, collaborate with humility, openness and respect, and prioritise collective success above individual advancement.
Discovery Portfolio Manager in Stevenage employer: Aerska, Inc.
As a Discovery Portfolio Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises impactful scientific advancements. Our company fosters a collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued, and employees are empowered to drive meaningful change in the biotech sector. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to data-driven decision-making, we ensure that every team member contributes to our mission of improving patient outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Discovery Portfolio Manager in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work in biotech or pharma. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a LinkedIn profile that highlights your experience in managing complex R&D programmes. Share insights or articles related to discovery operations to position yourself as a thought leader.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s pipeline and recent developments. Be ready to discuss how you can drive portfolio focus and decision-making based on their current projects and challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Discovery Portfolio Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Discovery Portfolio Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in biotech or pharma, especially around managing complex R&D programmes. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive portfolio focus and decision-making. We love seeing quantifiable achievements that show how you’ve contributed to successful projects.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aerska, Inc.
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's current projects and pipeline. Understand how they prioritise their programs and what challenges they face. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with various teams and external partners, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to bring diverse perspectives together and drive alignment across teams.
✨Prepare for Ambiguity
Given the fast-paced and often ambiguous nature of the biotech industry, think of instances where you've thrived in similar environments. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving when faced with uncertainty and how you maintain focus on key objectives.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making
This role requires making informed decisions based on data. Be ready to talk about your experience with data analysis and how you've used it to guide project direction. Discuss any systems or processes you've implemented to ensure high-quality data generation and evaluation.
