Project Manager, Central Labs

Role Description

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll join a global organization at the forefront of clinical research and laboratory science. In partnership with PPD, we support the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations—successfully delivering over 2,700 clinical trials across 100+ countries in the past five years.

We are seeking a Project Manager, Central Labs to lead and coordinate central laboratory activities across clinical trial programs. This is a high-impact role requiring strong operational oversight, cross-functional leadership, and client engagement.

This is a fully remote role supporting our Global Central Laboratories. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary project management lead for assigned clinical trials, including complex, multi-faceted studies.
• Act as the main point of contact for internal laboratory functions and external clients.
• Independently identify, manage, and mitigate study-level risks; escalate cross-functional or significant issues as needed.
• Lead study start-up activities including protocol and amendment review, milestone planning, risk assessments, and budget oversight.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across laboratory operations, logistics, data management, quality, IT, and external vendors to ensure seamless execution.
• Manage study timelines, deliverables, interdependencies, and performance metrics to ensure on-time and high-quality data delivery.
• Maintain accurate project documentation in alignment with SOPs and project management standards.
• Monitor scope, timelines, and financial performance throughout the study lifecycle.
• Support financial oversight including forecasting, budget tracking, burn analysis, and invoice approvals.
• Prepares for and facilitates internal and client-facing meetings, ensuring clear agendas, documented decisions, and actionable follow-ups.
• Balance multiple concurrent studies while maintaining compliance, quality, and operational excellence.
• Support departmental and client objectives through additional project-related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification).
• Previous experience in dedicated project manager role supporting central laboratory strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex studies in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong project management competencies including planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Solid understanding of clinical trial processes and central laboratory operations.
• Analytical and solution-oriented mindset with sound decision-making capability.
• Proficiency in project management tools, internal systems, and standard business software.
• Ability to interpret and apply SOPs, work instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential clinical and business information.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Requirements

• Labs Project Manager I: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 0+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.
• Labs Project Manager II: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 3+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.
• Labs Project Manager III: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 7+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.

Working Environment

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
• Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
• May require travel. (Recruiter will provide more details.)

Benefits

• When you join us, you become part of a global organization committed to enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
• You’ll collaborate with industry-leading experts, contribute to groundbreaking clinical research, and grow within an environment that values innovation, accountability, and continuous development.