Associate Project Manager

Associate Project Manager

As an Associate Project Manager (APM) at the CellCarta Lake Forest site you will undergo a comprehensive training program to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully manage projects. This role involves working closely with experienced project managers, learning project management methodologies, and gradually taking on responsibilities to contribute to project success.

Summary

CellCarta is in search of an Associate Project Manager based in Lake Forest, CA. As a member of our team, you will provide support for multiple projects. You will help the project managers ensure project objectives are met, completed on time, on budget, and in accordance with the signed protocols. You will provide appropriate updates to the client, sit in on client calls, and support client needs.

Responsibilities

Project Support & Coordination

• Study Execution & Lifecycle Management: Partner with Senior PMs to plan, coordinate, and execute (pre-)clinical trials from award initiation to study closeout, including tracking schedules, budgets, and sample shipping or archiving.
• Lab Operations & Quality Control: Coordinate slide QC (selection/labeling), sample testing schedules, and system configurations (e.g., STARLIMS) to ensure compliant and timely laboratory workflow.
• Scope & Change Management: Support scope updates and change orders by liaising with client services and scientific writing teams as requirements evolve.
• Client Communication & Reporting: Deliver timely project updates to sponsor teams and oversee accurate reporting of results, data transfers, and final invoicing.

Communication & Collaboration

• Cross-Functional Workload Alignment: Collaborate with lab, QC, pathology, and image analysis leaders to align internal operations, clear technical questions, and meet project deadlines.
• Client Relationship & Expectations Management: Maintain a customer-centric approach by delivering proactive updates, responding to sponsor inquiries within 1 business day, and representing the company professionally.
• Client Meetings & Onboarding: Prepare kickoff presentations, support client calls, and learn to independently lead sponsor meetings to gather requirements and share progress.

Documentation & Reporting

• Data Management & QC: Reformat, transcribe, and quality-check study data to ensure strict compliance with Data Transfer Protocols (DTP/DTS) before executing secure transfers via FTP, portals, or email.
• Trial Documentation & Tracking: Maintain comprehensive project files, calendar tracking, SOP reviews, and meeting minutes to ensure full audit readiness and clear sponsor alignment.
• Issue Escalation & Quality Compliance: Proactively identify project risks, log events/deviations, and track CAPA resolutions through to completion.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in pursuing a career in project management.
• 1 to 3 years of project management is an asset.
• 1 to 3 years working in an CRO environment is an asset.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with practical skills in conditional formatting, applying formulas, and reformatting large datasets is preferred, but not required.
• Experience with histopathology, anatomic pathology, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) is preferred, but not required. Knowledge of genomics, FISH, ISH, immunofluorescence is a bonus.

Working Conditions

• Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, with flexibility.
• Hybrid flexibility to work from 1-2 days from home.

What We Can Offer

CellCarta is made up of dedicated professionals who are focused on achieving our mission of impacting the future of patient therapy. We make a difference in the lives of patients around the world!

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• Competitive wages ($65,000 to $81,100)
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a healthy match
• Vacation and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Referral Program

About CellCarta

CellCarta is a leading provider of specialized precision medicine laboratory services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Leveraging its integrated analytical platforms in immunology, histopathology, proteomics, and genomics, as well as related specimen collection and logistics services, CellCarta supports the entire drug development cycle, from discovery to late-stage clinical trials. The Company operates globally with facilities located in Canada, USA, Belgium, Australia, and China. Joining CellCarta means working with dedicated professionals who are focused on achieving our mission of impacting the future of patient therapy. We make a difference in the lives of patients around the world! Join us as we make an impact on patient therapy!