Indigo improves grower profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health through the use of natural microbiology and digital technologies. Utilizing beneficial plant microbes and agronomic insights, Indigo works with growers to sustainably produce high quality harvests. The company then connects growers and buyers directly to bring these harvests to market. Working across the supply chain, Indigo is forwarding its mission of harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices in Memphis, TN, Research Triangle Park, NC, Sydney, Australia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil. http://www.indigoag.com/

The role of the Director, R&D Project Management is to manage projects for the early discovery & characterization of Indigo’s microbial products. Responsibilities will include managing a portfolio of project, managing a team of project manager(s), interfacing with senior leadership to report on project status, and managing collaborations that support the early stage pipeline. We are looking for a high energy candidate with a passion for project management. This person will work cross functionally with Product Management, R&D, and IP teams to achieve the best outcomes for Indigo and our partners.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate clear understanding of stage gate process for S1-S3, including hand offs and accountabilities
• Establish relationship with tech partnerships team to maximize outcomes of collaborations based on internal requirements.
• Ensure all projects on track to meet TPP specific launch goals
• Indirectly manage FS-S2 projects through direct reports, Directly manage all S3 projects to ensure on track to meet TPP specific launch goals
• Assume responsibility for all relevant collaboration projects and ensure on track to meet contractual obligations & provide required benefit to the organization.
• Ensure visibility to all active projects
• Establish consistent reporting dashboards to communication to workstream owners, leadership, & executive management
• Establish rapport with direct reports
• Identify key resource requirements & long term team growth to support early pipeline
• Demonstrate understanding of strengths and development areas for direct reports
• Assume responsibility for direct report activities & outcomes, including goals.
• Establish system for check-ins and communication with team members
• Meet with all stage gate owners and product managers
• Demonstrate acumen to aggressively drive action from discussion with key stakeholders
• Shadow all processes and assays related to Focused Sourcing, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 including a planned trip with the focused sourcing team
• Establish communication plan with key workstream owners & manage/lead workstream owner meetings
• Lead at least 1 stage gate meeting
• Work with stakeholders to identify challenges & areas for improvement to build upon current processes

Competencies:

• Able to challenge senior leadership with tact and diplomacy; able to lead technical teams
• Excellent listening and communication skills to all levels and backgrounds at appropriate detail
• Interest and desire to be part of a fast-paced and dynamic team
• Interested in the science at Indigo
• Ability to work on multiple projects with changing priorities
• Leader capable of cultivating & motivating A-players
• Highly organized and process-driven with strong attention to detail
• Able to stick to and hold others accountable for deadlines; willing to help others optimize their work
• Self-starter
• An advocate for scientific interests with Company goals and priorities in mind

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years’ industry experience preferred with demonstrated leadership skills
• S. or M.S. in a science discipline
• Experience with MS Project or other similar tools
• Demonstrated ability to lead by influence and rapidly drive solutions to complex challenges
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in fast paced environments