At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive portfolio focus and manage discovery operations across innovative biotech programs.
- Company: Leading biotech firm focused on cutting-edge drug development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with high visibility and career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the biotech field while collaborating with top scientists.
- Qualifications: PhD preferred, with 5-10 years in biotech or 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, and cross-program visibility
- Facilitate discovery project teams in best practices around planning experiments and storing data, tracking project progress against agreed deliverables, and 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
Discovery Portfolio Manager in Stevenage employer: Aerska
As a Discovery Portfolio Manager at our innovative biotech firm, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises scientific excellence and operational efficiency. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that have a meaningful impact on healthcare. Located in a vibrant area, our company fosters a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
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, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their pipeline and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your skills and how they relate to the Discovery Portfolio Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex R&D programs and your ability to drive decision-making across teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and are familiar with our processes.
We think you need these skills to ace Discovery Portfolio Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Discovery Portfolio Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex R&D programmes and any relevant qualifications, like a PhD or PMP, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background in biotech or pharma makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to make data-driven decisions and prioritise effectively. We want to see examples of how you've navigated complex situations and brought structure to ambiguous problems in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aerska
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's current projects and pipeline. Familiarise yourself with their portfolio focus and how it aligns with your experience in managing complex R&D programmes. This will help you speak confidently about how you can drive decision-making and prioritisation.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams and external partners. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, especially in high-ambiguity environments. Highlight your ability to bring structure to chaotic situations and align diverse teams towards common goals.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Think of specific instances where your analytical skills led to successful outcomes. This will resonate well, as the role emphasises making effective data-driven decisions across the discovery portfolio.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since you'll be supporting leadership with portfolio reviews, brush up on strategic frameworks and decision-making processes. Be ready to discuss how you would approach ambiguous problems and what strategies you would employ to ensure alignment across teams. This shows you're not just a doer but also a thinker.
