Associate Director, Project Management

Associate Director, Project Management

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director, Project Management based in Canada.

As an Associate Director, Project Management, you will provide strategic leadership across complex clinical research and development programs. You will oversee project planning, execution, communication, and delivery while guiding a team of Project Managers and Senior Project Managers. The role offers broad exposure to cross-functional clinical development activities, including biometrics, data management, statistics, medical writing, and clinical operations. You will partner with internal leaders, sponsors, vendors, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to rigorous quality standards. Your leadership will directly support successful clinical programs and regulatory submissions. This is a senior, collaborative position suited to an experienced clinical research leader who combines operational expertise with strong people-management and client-facing capabilities.

Accountabilities:

• Lead, train, manage, and mentor Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, including contributing to performance assessments and professional development.
• Support the recruitment process for Project Management talent and contribute to the development, review, and implementation of functional policies, SOPs, and governing documents.
• Plan and implement client service delivery initiatives while supporting the ongoing development of client portfolios and integrated biometrics programs.
• Facilitate cross-functional project planning, defining tasks and deliverables, assessing resource requirements, and optimizing resource utilization.
• Oversee project plans, progress tracking, status reporting, and periodic review meetings to ensure projects remain aligned with established timelines, budgets, quality standards, and requirements.
• Proactively identify project risks, resource constraints, performance issues, planning gaps, and external factors that could affect delivery, working with functional leaders to implement corrective actions.
• Manage clinical research projects involving data management, statistics, medical writing, subject randomization and drug supply management, data monitoring and adjudication committees, and regulatory submissions.
• Define project scopes, estimate budgets, and develop cross-functional work plans covering resources, deliverables, timelines, quality expectations, and financial requirements.
• Lead Phase I–IV clinical trial project management activities in accordance with applicable ICH guidelines and FDA, Health Canada, EMA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams through planning, implementation, execution, and reporting while coordinating activities among sponsors, internal functions, and external vendors.
• Monitor project financial performance, including budgets, expenses, resource utilization, and hours spent, escalating significant deviations and risks to leadership.
• Prepare and present accurate project status updates to internal and external stakeholders, facilitate meetings, document decisions and action items, and ensure timely follow-up.
• Facilitate problem-solving and conflict resolution across project teams and stakeholders.
• Conduct lessons-learned sessions to identify improvements and strengthen future project delivery.
• Participate in staff performance evaluations for team members working on assigned projects.
• Contribute to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), scope and budget development, and contract administration when required.
• When needed, support clinical trial planning, management, and site monitoring activities from study initiation through closeout.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in clinical research and development within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or contract research environment.
• Demonstrated line management experience with a strong track record of developing and leading professionals.
• Strong understanding of cross-functional clinical development processes, including clinical operations, statistics, data management, subject randomization and drug supply management, data monitoring and adjudication committees, regulatory affairs, and medical writing.
• Solid knowledge of ICH guidelines and applicable FDA, Health Canada, EMA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to define project scopes, develop budgets, manage resources, monitor hours against budgets, and deliver key milestones within established timelines.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including setting objectives, allocating resources, managing performance, and driving teams toward successful outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated strength in negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to facilitate conflict resolution and address complex project challenges.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a complex clinical research environment.
• Experience as a clinical trial monitor, including trial initiation, monitoring, and closeout, is considered an asset.
• Client-focused, collaborative, and adaptable approach with the confidence to work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits:

• Estimated salary range of $170,000–$220,000 per year.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Pension plan.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Remote work-from-home opportunity anywhere in Canada in accordance with the applicable work-from-home policy.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace with accommodations available throughout the recruitment and selection process for candidates with disabilities.