Associate Director, Program Management

Location: Remote (USA) with up to 25% travel

ABOUT FORESIGHT DIAGNOSTICS

Foresight Diagnostics is a molecular diagnostics company pioneering non-invasive cancer detection through highly sensitive, cell-free DNA-based liquid biopsy technologies. Our proprietary methods - originally developed at Stanford University - are designed to detect smaller tumors earlier and enable more personalized treatment strategies for patients with cancer.

We sit at the intersection of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), and we translate rigorous science into clinically meaningful solutions. Following our acquisition by Natera, we now combine the agility of a mission-driven startup with the scale and resources of a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. It’s an exciting moment to join us.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, our team operates in a high accountability, collaborative environment where quality and continuous improvement aren’t just values - they’re how we work every day.

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

The Associate Director, Program Management will lead the Program Management function, providing both people leadership and portfolio-level oversight across Foresight’s product development, operations, and external partnership programs.

This role is responsible for managing and developing a program and project management team, while also directly leading high-impact, cross-functional initiatives, including biopharma companion diagnostic (CDx) partnerships and other strategic programs. In addition, this role owns and facilitates the company’s formal program governance processes, ensuring clear visibility into portfolio health, risks, and priorities. The Associate Director will partner closely with executive and functional leadership to drive alignment, enable decision-making, and ensure successful execution across a complex, regulated environment.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong strategic thinking and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization. This position reports to the Vice President, Operations - Foresight.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Program and Project Managers, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture

• Own and oversee the program portfolio, ensuring alignment with company strategy, resource capacity, and organizational priorities

• Directly lead high-impact, cross-functional programs, including biopharma companion diagnostic (CDx) partnerships and other strategic initiatives

• Own and facilitate formal governance processes to communicate program status, risks, dependencies, and trade-offs; escalate issues as needed; and present data-driven recommendations and business proposals to senior leadership to enable timely, informed decision-making

• Enable executive decision-making by presenting clear, data-driven insights, recommendations, and business proposals to senior leadership

• Drive cross-functional alignment and accountability, influencing stakeholders across R&D, laboratory operations, regulatory, quality, clinical, software, and commercial teams

• Partner with Alliance Management to lead external partner engagement, including biopharma collaborations, ensuring alignment on joint plans, deliverables, timelines, and contractual commitments

• Ensure consistent, high-quality program execution across the portfolio, driving predictability in delivery of key milestones

• Identify, assess, and mitigate portfolio-level risks, proactively managing dependencies and escalating issues as needed

• Champion continuous improvement, scaling program management tools, processes, and best practices to support organizational growth

• Ensure alignment with regulated processes, including design controls, quality systems, and compliance requirements

• Develop and maintain program roadmaps, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and securing stakeholder buy-in

• Extract and refine user needs and requirements from stakeholders and lead teams to focus on the most valuable deliverables.

• Lead risk and issue management, proactively identifying, mitigating, and resolving complex technical and operational challenges

• Ensure adherence to regulated processes, including design controls, change management, and quality system requirements (FDA, CAP/CLIA)

• Drive cross-functional accountability, influencing without direct authority to ensure alignment, ownership, and timely execution

• Partner with Alliance Management and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of joint programs and delivery commitments

• Champion continuous improvement throughout the organization, identifying and acting on opportunities to enhance operational efficiency

• Cultivate, build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• 7–12+ years of experience in program management, product development, or related roles in biotechnology, diagnostics, or life sciences

• People management experience, leading and developing high-performing teams

• Background in molecular diagnostics, including assay and software components (MRD experience preferred)

• PMP or equivalent certification (strongly preferred)

• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional programs and portfolios in regulated environments

• Experience supporting or leading companion diagnostics (CDx) partnerships or external biopharma collaborations

• Strong familiarity with regulated product development, including FDA, CAP/CLIA, and design control processes (ISO 13485)

• Experience establishing and operating program governance frameworks and executive reporting structures

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and drive alignment across highly matrixed organizations

• Strong strategic thinking combined with operational execution capabilities

• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messaging across technical and non-technical audiences

• Experience scaling processes and building program management capabilities in growing organizations

• Proficiency with program management and collaboration tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Jira, Office Timeline, etc.)

• Situational awareness, coupled with facilitation, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills to drive cross-functional decision-making

• This position may be required to work across time zones as needed to support project schedules

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This role offers a competitive annual base compensation of $180,000 - $200,000 commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision

• Flexible PTO and paid holidays

• Parental leave

• 401(k) with company match

You will be working on interesting problems with extremely high impact. We promote the professional development of our teams and encourage upward mobility within the company for high performing employees. Foresight Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ready to make an impact in cancer diagnostics?

Apply below - we’d love to hear from you.