Associate Project Manager, Drug Development

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa's OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work® in 2026.

Description of Role

The Associate Project Manager provides portfolio-level support across teams for programs in early-late-stage development. This fully remote role focuses on maintaining accurate project timelines and budgets within a corporate-wide Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system and providing other PM support to Centessa’s portfolio of R&D programs. The position provides critical operational support to senior project managers and reports directly to the Director, Program Management. 

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and update complex drug development timelines and associated budgets and long-term forecasting within a corporate-wide Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system.
• Monitor individual program Smartsheet timelines to ensure consistency and accurate portfolio reporting.
• Assist senior project managers with meeting logistics, agenda preparation, minutes and other PM-related activities as needed.
• Monitor action items and follow up with owners to keep deliverables on schedule.
• Help generate project status reports, dashboards, and RAID logs for use by program teams and leadership. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, business, or healthcare discipline. Educational coursework in project management and/or financial management would be a plus.
• 1–3 years of project management support within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry supporting cross-functional projects
• Proven expertise in Smartsheet required and hands-on experience or proficiency with a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system, such as Planisware, is required.
• Highly detail-oriented and motivated individual with strong -software skills and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is strongly preferred.
• Basic understanding of the end-to-end drug development lifecycle (Preclinical through Phase 3 and Regulatory submission, e.g., NDA).
• 100% remote with the ability to work productively across multiple time zones.
• Minimal travel required (less than 10% expected for team meetings or workshops). 

Work Location

The Associate Project Manager, Drug Development role is a based in the US, with occasional travel. 

Compensation 

The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $130,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge and location.  

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program. 

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.