Clinical Development Project Manager
Position Description
Juvena Therapeutics, Inc. is a regenerative medicine biotech startup inviting applicants for Project Manager – Clinical Development. Applicants should be excited to join a company focused on the discovery and validation of novel disease-modifying biologics that promote tissue regeneration by inducing tissue-specific rejuvenating phenotypes. This position will report to the SVP of Drug Development and work closely with other Senior Leaders at Juvena. The PM will serve as the hands-on project manager of the research/development programs that are core to Juvena’s mission and strategy.
The Project Manager will play a key role in ensuring that our R&D initiatives are coordinated, appropriately timed, and efficient. Responsibilities include project planning, stakeholder management, resource and timeline tracking, and monitoring project performance. This position is ideal for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced collaborative environment with experience managing projects across multiple cross-functional scientific teams. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in biotech project management, particularly in pre-clinical/early clinical stages of development with IND and early clinical development directed goals.
*Title commensurate with experience
Company Summary
Juvena Therapeutics is a venture-backed, clinical stage biotech company leveraging its AI-enabled platform to discover and advance tissue restorative biologics to tackle chronic muscle and metabolic diseases. The company’s approach stems from mapping the therapeutic potential of stem-cell secreted proteins and translating them into a growing pipeline of engineered biologics. Juvena is achieving this through a fully integrated, end-to-end AI-enabled platform, JuvNET, that combines a compounding database leveraging quantitative proteomics, multi-omics, high content imaging to map secreted proteins to specific disease phenotypes, utilizing in silico and in vitro human cell screening, pharmacology, and protein engineering capabilities. Juvena is progressing multiple preclinical programs, including a muscle regenerative biologic and a novel obesity asset with a unique mechanism.
Juvena’s lead asset, JUV-161, is a muscle regenerating fusion protein with broad indication potential, currently in Phase 1 SAD clinical studies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, a rare autosomal dominant, progressive muscle-wasting disease. Juvena’s obesity candidate, JUV-112, is based on a novel secreted protein with an orthogonal, non-appetite suppressing MOA (non-GLP-1/GIP mediated) for improved fat metabolism, including insulin sensitivity and adipose regulation. Juvena is also identifying muscle targeting pro-metabolic and hypertrophic secreted proteins for Sarcopenic Obesity. Additionally, Juvena has discovered and validated 55+ hits across 6 therapeutic areas including fibrotic, hepatic, pulmonary, metabolic, osteopathies and inflammatory diseases. Juvena’s preclinical programs were supported by funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Juvena has raised about $60M to date and anticipates closing a $30M Series B and the kick-off of a discovery research collaboration with Eli Lilly in July 2025. At Juvena we embrace a diversity of backgrounds, experience and approaches that all combine to lead us to world-class scientific results in an inclusive environment. To learn more about Juvena Therapeutics, visit JuvenaTherapeutics.com or follow the company on LinkedIn @Juvena-Therapeutics.
Position Location and work permit requirement
640 Galveston Dr. Redwood City, 94063
Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the US.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Planning & Execution:
- Collaborate closely with the Project Lead and members of a cross-functional Project Team to develop detailed project plans, timelines, and resource allocations for program related initiatives.
- Support the cross-functional Project Team and any required team members to execute project deliverables on time and within scope.
- Coordinate Project Team meetings and track project milestones while promoting team accountability.
- Help to foster a collaborative and positive team environment to drive project success and achieve business objectives.
- Coordinate with stakeholders to establish clear project objectives, prioritize tasks, and manage costs effectively to help ensure project deliverables meet quality standards and are delivered on time and within budget.
- Ensure all key stakeholders are informed of progress, risks, and changes.
- Help the project team to identify topics and decisions that require escalation to the appropriate governance body and/or leadership forum, and coordinate of the review discussion
- Monitor project progress and identify and address any issues or risks that may impact project timelines or deliverables.
- Work with the cross-functional Project Team to develop contingency plans to address potential project roadblocks or delays.
- Monitor project budgets, ensuring costs are kept within approved limits.
- Coordinate with leadership and the Project Team on resource allocation and develop recommendations on optimizing resources.
- Assist with regulatory submissions and ensure all cross-functional project deliverables are provided on time and comply with relevant regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, etc.).
- Provide regular updates and reports on project status, progress, and key metrics to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Promote, educate, and train leadership teams on industry standard project management best practices, and support the design and implementation of any necessary project management tools (e.g., trackers, etc.)
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, or related field. An advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., MBA) is a plus.
- 8+ years of project management experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industries, with specific experience supporting early stage (IND-stage and Phase 1/2) programs
- Experience in startup environments is highly desirable.
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills with a proven track record of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effectively liaising with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana, etc.).
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, can-do attitude.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with early-stage biotech operations, including R&D, clinical trials, or regulatory submissions.
- Knowledge of the biotech product development lifecycle, including regulatory requirements.
- PMP or equivalent project management certification is a plus but not required.
- Self-starter with the ability to adapt quickly to a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Passion for biotech and innovation, with an interest in driving meaningful impact through science.
Compensation
- Hourly rate: $125–$150 per hour, depending on experience. Also open to discussing a retainer structure in place of hourly billing.
Apply Now
Please email your CV and Cover Letter to apply@juvenatherapeutics.com with the title of the position as the subject line.
