Program Manager II- Site Activations

About the Role

We are seeking a Program Manager II, Site Activations to own and scale the site activation process across the organization. This role is responsible for driving on-time site activations within SLAs, proactively identifying and resolving blockers, and improving activation workflows to increase speed, predictability, and efficiency.

This role requires a strong operator who can manage complex details and dependencies day-to-day, while also stepping back to identify systemic issues, design better processes, and drive continuous improvement. The Program Manager II operates with a high degree of autonomy and is trusted to run site activations with limited oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Program Ownership & Execution

• Own the end-to-end site activations, managing timelines, dependencies, and risks across multiple concurrent sites and trials
• Be able to help teams prioritize tasks across multiple activations
• Ensure activation milestones are met within defined SLAs, escalating risks and delays proactively
• Maintain clear activation plans, status tracking, and documentation
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for activation delivery

Cross-Functional Coordination & Escalation

• Coordinate across cross-functional partners (e.g., clinical operations, regulatory, legal, professional services)
• Identify, document, and escalate blockers with clear context, impact, and recommended solutions
• Drive alignment and follow-through across stakeholders with differing priorities
• Facilitate discussions and decisions to keep activations moving forward

Process Improvement & Scaling

• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the activation lifecycle using data and operational insights
• Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, reduce activation cycle times, and improve SLA adherence
• Standardize processes, templates, and operating rhythms to support scale, with an eye towards automation
• Partner with leadership to evolve the activation model as volume and complexity grow

Metrics & Reporting

• Own activation-related metrics, including time-to-activation, SLA performance, and root causes of delays
• Define and maintain reporting and dashboards that provide clear visibility to stakeholders
• Use data to inform prioritization, process improvements, and resourcing decisions

Leadership & Influence

• Act as a subject matter expert for site activation processes
• Influence without authority, driving outcomes through clarity, structure, and accountability

Qualifications

Required

• 5–8 years of experience in program management, operations, or project management
• Proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional programs with tight timelines
• Strong execution skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to zoom out and think systemically about process design and efficiency
• Proven track record of delivering process improvements at scale
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly around escalation and stakeholder management
• High degree of ownership, judgment, and comfort operating independently
• Experience in clinical research, site operations, healthcare, or life sciences

Preferred

• Experience scaling or maturing operational programs in growing organizations
• Familiarity with activation tools, workflow systems, or project management platforms