Program Director Jobs in Irvine, CA
Program Director jobs in Irvine, California are concentrated in the Irvine Spectrum, Irvine Business Complex, and University Research Park, with demand strong across technology, healthcare, and defense sectors. Employers actively hiring right now include AbbVie, Learfield, and Turion Space. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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About the Role
The Director, Program Team Lead (PTL) provides strategic and cross-functional leadership for one or more development programs at Tarsus. In this role, you will serve as a strategic leader responsible for integrating development, regulatory, commercial, and operational perspectives to maximize long-term molecule value.
You will lead a cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with corporate priorities, ensuring programs advance with clarity, discipline, and strong decision-making. This role requires the ability to navigate scientific and business considerations while driving alignment across matrixed teams and senior leadership.
This role is ideal for a strategic leader who thrives in dynamic environments, exercises strong judgment under uncertainty, and enjoys driving clarity and impact across complex cross-functional initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the evolution of program leadership at Tarsus while advancing innovative therapies for patients.
Let's talk about some of the key responsibilities of the role:
- Lead the cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with long-term corporate strategy and enterprise priorities
- Own and evolve the Target Product Profile (TPP) and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to optimize molecule value
- Drive key program decisions by defining strategic options, risks, and recommendations in collaboration with functional leaders
- Serve as the enterprise voice of the molecule, aligning stakeholders around program strategy, priorities, and decisions
- Drive excellence in day-to-day Program Team execution, ensuring program milestones, timelines, and deliverables progress in alignment with strategy
- Shape molecule-level inputs to annual budgeting, portfolio, and long-range planning processes, clearly articulating key assumptions, risks, and value drivers
- Proactively identify strategic and executional risks, including competitive, regulatory, and market shifts, and develop scenario-based mitigation strategies
- Prepare and deliver high-quality program updates, strategic recommendations, and decision materials to Executive Team, Board, and other key governance forums.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment
- Contribute to the evolution of program leadership practices and governance processes as the organization scales
Factors for Success:
Education & Experience
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related discipline preferred; MBA or equivalent business training is a plus
- 15+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with demonstrated progression into strategic leadership roles
- Experience leading or meaningfully contributing to cross-functional drug development programs across multiple stages of development and/or launch planning, commercial strategy, and lifecycle management for commercial products
- Strong understanding of global drug development, regulatory strategy, and the broader ecosystem influencing pharmaceutical product development
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in highly matrixed environments without direct authority
- Must be willing to be "hands on" and delve into details
- Experience with key regulatory filings (IND through NDA) and/or new product planning experience a plus
Leadership Competencies - This role requires proficiency in the Tarsus Leadership Competencies for Leading People, including:
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen
- Ability to connect functional and program strategy with broader business objectives, synthesizing diverse inputs into clear strategic perspectives that guide decision-making
- Make recommendations clearly linked to the organization's strategy and financial goals, reflecting an awareness of internal and external dynamics, including competitive environments and industry trends
Decision-Making
- Applies structured decision-making to complex, cross-functional challenges, weighing competing priorities and longer-term trade-offs
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Promotes collaboration by aligning diverse teams around shared goals, fostering healthy debate to advance outcomes, and building strong networks that strengthen organizational effectiveness
- Skilled at building strong relationships with functional leaders and senior stakeholders to foster alignment, trust, and shared accountability
Outcome Driven Execution
- Demonstrates strong outcomes focus by aligning teams around shared priorities, proactively addressing risks and dependencies, and driving cross-functional accountability to sustain progress and deliver results
Effective Communication
- Distills complex information into clear, actionable messages for a variety of stakeholders. Communicates priorities in ways that align team efforts to organizational goals while ensuring feedback flows upward and downward.
A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:
- The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment.
- We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
- This position reports directly to our Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO
- Some travel may be required – up to 20%
At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $203,200 - $284,600 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit: https://eb.alliant.com/26tarsusbenefitssnapshot.
#LI-Hybrid
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
About the Role
The Director, Program Team Lead (PTL) provides strategic and cross-functional leadership for one or more development programs at Tarsus. In this role, you will serve as a strategic leader responsible for integrating development, regulatory, commercial, and operational perspectives to maximize long-term molecule value.
You will lead a cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with corporate priorities, ensuring programs advance with clarity, discipline, and strong decision-making. This role requires the ability to navigate scientific and business considerations while driving alignment across matrixed teams and senior leadership.
This role is ideal for a strategic leader who thrives in dynamic environments, exercises strong judgment under uncertainty, and enjoys driving clarity and impact across complex cross-functional initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the evolution of program leadership at Tarsus while advancing innovative therapies for patients.
Let's talk about some of the key responsibilities of the role:
- Lead the cross-functional Program Team to define and execute an integrated molecule strategy aligned with long-term corporate strategy and enterprise priorities
- Own and evolve the Target Product Profile (TPP) and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to optimize molecule value
- Drive key program decisions by defining strategic options, risks, and recommendations in collaboration with functional leaders
- Serve as the enterprise voice of the molecule, aligning stakeholders around program strategy, priorities, and decisions
- Drive excellence in day-to-day Program Team execution, ensuring program milestones, timelines, and deliverables progress in alignment with strategy
- Shape molecule-level inputs to annual budgeting, portfolio, and long-range planning processes, clearly articulating key assumptions, risks, and value drivers
- Proactively identify strategic and executional risks, including competitive, regulatory, and market shifts, and develop scenario-based mitigation strategies
- Prepare and deliver high-quality program updates, strategic recommendations, and decision materials to Executive Team, Board, and other key governance forums.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment
- Contribute to the evolution of program leadership practices and governance processes as the organization scales
Factors for Success:
Education & Experience
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related discipline preferred; MBA or equivalent business training is a plus
- 15+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with demonstrated progression into strategic leadership roles
- Experience leading or meaningfully contributing to cross-functional drug development programs across multiple stages of development and/or launch planning, commercial strategy, and lifecycle management for commercial products
- Strong understanding of global drug development, regulatory strategy, and the broader ecosystem influencing pharmaceutical product development
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in highly matrixed environments without direct authority
- Must be willing to be "hands on" and delve into details
- Experience with key regulatory filings (IND through NDA) and/or new product planning experience a plus
Leadership Competencies - This role requires proficiency in the Tarsus Leadership Competencies for Leading People, including:
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen
- Ability to connect functional and program strategy with broader business objectives, synthesizing diverse inputs into clear strategic perspectives that guide decision-making
- Make recommendations clearly linked to the organization's strategy and financial goals, reflecting an awareness of internal and external dynamics, including competitive environments and industry trends
Decision-Making
- Applies structured decision-making to complex, cross-functional challenges, weighing competing priorities and longer-term trade-offs
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Promotes collaboration by aligning diverse teams around shared goals, fostering healthy debate to advance outcomes, and building strong networks that strengthen organizational effectiveness
- Skilled at building strong relationships with functional leaders and senior stakeholders to foster alignment, trust, and shared accountability
Outcome Driven Execution
- Demonstrates strong outcomes focus by aligning teams around shared priorities, proactively addressing risks and dependencies, and driving cross-functional accountability to sustain progress and deliver results
Effective Communication
- Distills complex information into clear, actionable messages for a variety of stakeholders. Communicates priorities in ways that align team efforts to organizational goals while ensuring feedback flows upward and downward.
A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:
- The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment.
- We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
- This position reports directly to our Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO
- Some travel may be required – up to 20%
At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $203,200 - $284,600 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit: https://eb.alliant.com/26tarsusbenefitssnapshot.
#LI-Hybrid
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See All 317+ Program Director Jobs in Irvine
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Find Program Director JobsProgram Director Job Market in Irvine
Who's Hiring
- AbbVie40
- Learfield40
- Turion Space40
- New Solutions40N
- Clean Path Recovery40
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Program Director Jobs in Irvine: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a program director job in Irvine?
The strongest path in Irvine is targeting the technology companies clustered around Irvine Spectrum, the healthcare networks anchored near UC Irvine Medical Center, and the aerospace and defense contractors in the Irvine Business Complex. Candidates who stand out typically have cross-functional project leadership experience and a history of managing budgets and timelines in fast-moving organizations. Tailoring your resume to the sector, whether healthcare operations or tech program management, gives you a clear edge over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire program directors in Irvine?
Companies currently hiring program directors in Irvine include AbbVie, Learfield, and Turion Space, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Irvine's employer mix skews toward large technology firms, health systems, financial services companies, and defense contractors, so program director openings tend to require sector-specific experience rather than pure generalist credentials.
Are there remote program director jobs in Irvine?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the sector, since program directors in healthcare operations and defense typically work on-site, while those in technology and financial services are more likely to have remote or hybrid options. About 75% of program director openings tied to Irvine are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the greatest flexibility concentrated in software and enterprise services roles. On-site or hybrid arrangements are the norm across Irvine's healthcare and government-adjacent employers.
How can I get a program director job in Irvine with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point in Irvine is moving up from a senior project manager or program coordinator role within a local technology company or health system, where internal promotion into program director positions is common. UC Irvine and the surrounding research park ecosystem also offer program administrator and operations manager roles that serve as strong stepping stones. Building familiarity with the specific compliance and reporting requirements of Irvine's dominant sectors, particularly healthcare or defense, accelerates the move into a director-level role.
Which industries hire the most program directors in Irvine?
The sectors hiring the most program directors in Irvine are Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Irvine's position as a hub for technology innovation, a regional healthcare center, and a base for aerospace and defense contractors makes it one of Orange County's most active markets for senior program leadership roles.
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