Senior Manager / Associate Director, CMC Project Management - Process Development & Validation

About Artiva:

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies. Our mission is to develop effective, safe, and accessible cell therapies for patients with devastating autoimmune diseases. We aim to develop therapies that patients and physicians can utilize in a community setting. Our lead product candidate, AlloNK® , is a non-genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy being evaluated in combination with B-cell targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We believe the compelling cell killing properties of NK cells, when combined with mAbs for targeting, creates an opportunity to generate potentially transformative therapies.

• For more information, visit
• www.artivabio.com .

Job Summary :

We are seeking an experienced CMC Project Management professional to lead the planning and execution of our process characterization and Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) workstreams. This role owns the detailed timelines, deliverables, and day-to-day coordination required to advance these specific workstreams from strategy through execution, ensuring validation and manufacturing readiness milestones are met.

This is a hands-on project-management role. The successful candidate will drive the operational rhythm within the process characterization and PPQ workstreams—managing schedules, tracking deliverables, surfacing risks early, and keeping the contributing functions aligned on what is due and when. The emphasis is on planning, coordinating, and driving these activities to completion rather than personally performing the characterization or validation studies. Workstream status and key decisions feed into the broader CMC project management framework, partnering closely with the CMC project lead and other workstream owners to maintain overall program alignment.

Responsibilities:

BLA and Commercial-Readiness

Own end-to-end project management of the process characterization, PPQ, and Commercial readiness workstreams including planning, sequencing, and execution tracking through to completion

Develop and maintain detailed, bottoms-up workstream timelines and resource planning for process characterization, validation activities, and PPQ campaigns, and ensure they integrate cleanly into the overall CMC program schedule

Translate the strategy into actionable execution plans, milestones, and deliverable trackers

Workstream Coordination

Coordinate the functional contributors to these workstreams—including internal Technical Operations, Manufacturing, Analytical Development, and Quality (and external partners where applicable)—to keep deliverables on track

Coordinate with adjacent PPQ readiness activities — including supplier and raw material qualification and equipment/facility qualification — tracking them as dependencies and ensuring alignment with campaign timelines

Drive alignment on assumptions, deliverables, and timelines specific to process characterization and PPQ execution

Provide clear, structured workstream updates and supporting analysis into existing CMC program governance and decision forums

Risk & Issue Management (Workstream Level)

Proactively identify risks within the process characterization and PPQ workstreams—including validation, batch execution, documentation, and manufacturing readiness risks

Develop mitigation options and escalate workstream-level issues with appropriate context and recommended paths forward

Track dependencies that could affect PPQ timing or downstream regulatory and clinical supply needs, and flag them to the CMC project lead for cross-program visibility

Execution Oversight

Track progress against process characterization and PPQ deliverables, including study execution, engineering and PPQ batch manufacturing, release, stability, and validation activities

Drive PPQ campaign readiness, including coordination of protocols, batch records, documentation, and quality system prerequisites

Monitor execution against process characterization and PPQ plans across the contributing manufacturing and technical functions, and ensure alignment with workstream expectations

Reporting & Workstream Communication

Build and maintain dashboards, trackers, and status reports for the process characterization and PPQ workstreams, providing clear visibility into progress, milestones, and risks

Report workstream status, key risks, and decision points into existing CMC program governance and leadership forums on a regular cadence

Translate detailed workstream data into concise, decision-ready summaries for the CMC project lead and senior stakeholders

Maintain timely, structured communication with functional contributors to keep deliverables and timelines aligned

Process & Continuous Improvement

Develop and refine repeatable tools, trackers, and best practices for managing process characterization and PPQ readiness

Identify opportunities to improve execution rigor and efficiency within the workstreams.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field (advanced degree preferred)

6–10+ years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical development

Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, or driving process characterization, process validation, and/or PPQ activities

Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing operations and validation/regulatory expectations

Proven ability to manage detailed, cross-functional workstreams with multiple internal contributors (and external partners where applicable)

Experience coordinating across internal manufacturing, technical operations, quality, and analytical functions

Ability to manage competing priorities and other tasks as needed

Preferred

Working familiarity with how PPQ campaigns and process validation programs are planned and executed

Familiarity with regulatory filings (IND/BLA/MAA) and the CMC/validation content they require

PMP or similar project management certification (a plus, not required)

Small to mid-size Biotech company experience

Core Competencies

Execution-focused, with the ability to drive detailed plans to completion

Effective in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Strong collaboration and influencing skills; works well as part of a broader CMC project team without requiring direct authority

Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical topics for diverse audiences

Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail

In addition to a great culture, we offer:

A beautiful facility

An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment

Comprehensive benefits, including:

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Group Life Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Company paid holidays, including the year-end holiday week

Our recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.

If all this speaks to you, come join us on our journey!

Base Salary: $155,000 - 190,000. Exact compensation may vary based on level, skills and experience.