Manager, Project Initiation - Client Services

Manager, Project Initiation

LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world. We are an independent, global, one-stop-shop focused on delivering Central Laboratory Services that are tailor-made, timely and flexible to meet the evolving study demands of traditional to increasingly complex trials. Additionally, we provide Functional Service Provider (FSP) Solutions, supporting our clients with scientific and technical expertise, acting as an extension of their team, coordinating all laboratory related needs, advising on strategies for lab data collection and providing end-to-end analytical and logistical solutions.

The Manager, Project Initiation is responsible for overseeing daily operations, leading a team to achieve organizational goals, and ensuring efficient workflows. This role involves strategic planning, resource allocation, performance monitoring, and fostering a collaborative work environment. The Manager, Project Initiation acts as a liaison between senior leadership and team members, driving initiatives that improve productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Initial Setups & Amendments
• Serve as first point of contact for management issues related to setup of new or amended clinical trials.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Interface with internal functional departments to assist with database setup and communicate study needs to meet client expectations.
• Maintain communication with directors and other managers to stay informed of operational changes.
• Process Improvement & Documentation
• Evaluate process flows and identify improvement opportunities.
• Create or oversee development of training materials, templates, job aids, and SOPs.
• Collect and implement lessons learned and process changes across Project Initiation and impacted departments.
• Develop tools to monitor process effectiveness and support evaluation initiatives.
• Liaise with directors and other manager/supervisors on new processes or system developments and to remain current on changes affecting operations.
• Assures new clinical test procedures and new IT database validations are completed and acceptable prior to specimen receipt and reporting for a specific project.
• Departmental Support
• Assist in interviewing and hiring Project Initiation staff.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and departmental metrics reporting.
• May directly supervise Project Initiation team members ensuring effective project execution.
• Assign clinical trial protocols to the Project Initiation team to meet quality and timeline requirements.
• Training & Mentorship
• Mentor and train new team members to ensure consistent knowledge transfer and adherence to best practices.
• Coach, develop, and retain talented associates through performance management and career development initiatives.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from four-year college or university with minimum of 5 years' experience that is setup related experience and/or project management experience.
• Must be experienced in customer service and possess excellent organization and interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Clinical Research, Central Lab, and/or Project Management experience outside of LabConnect will be considered.

Skills and Ability

• Excellent attention to detail, strong planning and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent listening and verbal comprehension skills, including ability to translate client needs to team members.
• Ability to make well-thought-out decisions and adapt to changing environments and requirements.
• Self-motivating and ability to work well independently as well as using a collaborative team approach.
• Ability to adhere to established timelines, processes and procedures.
• Customer service/client relationship management skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint. SharePoint and Microsoft Visio experience a plus.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or technical procedures.
• Ability to write business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and clients.
• Ability to perform calculations and manage budgets.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts to budget management for clinical trials and metrics analysis.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Manager

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the occupant is regularly required to:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged use of computer and headphones for conference calls.
• Communicate effectively via phone, video, and email.
• Use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Travel Requirements: Minimal

Join our team and discover how your work can impact patients' lives around the world!

Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:

• Financial Security (Base Pay, 401k Match and Possible Annual Bonus Eligibility)
• Health Benefits beginning on date of hire
• PTO plan, plus 11 Paid Company Holidays, and 1 Day to Volunteer in your community
• Short and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• We celebrate our differences, which enriches our culture!

In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with career growth opportunities, globally. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication. While living out our values of People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven, and Accountability Always.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and value the diversity of our workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.