Director of Project Management (m/f/d)

Director of Project Management

Discovery Life Sciences (Discovery) is a leading provider of highly characterized human biospecimens and cellular starting materials to advance cell and gene therapy and precision medicine programs for cancer, infectious disease, and other complex conditions. We routinely manage hundreds of studies and expertly test thousands of biospecimens simultaneously. Leading biopharma, diagnostic and academic institutions trust us to quickly deliver high-quality biospecimens and reliable, reproducible biomarker data, so they can outpace their competition and push the leading edge of innovation using our Science at your Service TM business model.

Discovery is looking for a talented and passionate Director of Project to harmonize project management teams within our Specialty Lab Services (SLS) teams, which includes IHC, Molecular Pathology, Genomics, Proteomics, and Flow Cytometry. As an individual contributor, the Director of Project Management for Specialty Lab Services plays a key role in overseeing clinical and scientific project management teams within the business, creating and harmonizing project management processes across laboratories, overseeing multiple business segments and multi-site projects, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving streamlined and successful project management across SLS. This position requires a deep understanding of the scientific capabilities within SLS and strong collaboration across teams to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Must-Have Qualifications (Education, Skills, Experience):

• PhD in natural sciences (biology, biochemistry, medicine or similar field) preferred, OR MS in natural sciences with equivalent work experience.
• Project Management certification (PMI or similar) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 Years of experience in clinical trial services with pharma and biotech companies. This includes long-standing experience in prospective clinical trials and companion diagnostics performance studies using immunohistochemistry, genomics, proteomics, or flow cytometry methodologies
• Work experience in a regulated environment/quality management system (e.g. GCLP)
• Excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to collaborate and support teams working in different geographic locations
• Ability to create, lead, and maintain a highly effective, dedicated, and engaged group of project managers with good team morale
• Excellent organizational, leadership, interpersonal, problem-solving, time management and documentation skills
• Decisiveness and the ability to delegate effectively
• Familiarity with IHC, Molecular Pathology, Flow Cytometry, Genomics, and Proteomics is preferred
• A proactive attitude toward accepting responsibility and driving outcomes
• Ability to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment

Key Responsibilities:

• As a member of the SLS leadership team, contribute to the direction of the SLS business unit growth
• Acting as a project manager with responsibility for large scale projects including services from multiple business units with Discovery
• Monitor revenue of the SLS project management group
• Operational Excellence & Harmonization:
• Facilitate transparent communication, foster collaboration, and ensure shared accountability across Operational Site Leaders, Project Managers, Laboratory Managers, Sample Management, Pathologists, QA and IT
• Design and implement a company-wide organizational project management structure in close collaboration with the operational site leaders
• Harmonize processes for project setup, project monitoring, provision of project deliverables and project closure among the Specialty Lab Services (SLS) unit of Discovery for all assay development, validation and sample testing projects (exploratory projects and prospective clinical trials).
• Establish and standardize project management frameworks, tools, and best practices across laboratories
• Build joint infrastructure tools for project management, which include required interfaces of project managers to the LIMS Systems, project management and resource management software or document management systems
• Monitor project performance metrics and continuously improve operational efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines
• Define global rate card items related to project and data management in collaboration with operational leadership
• Create and maintain global training plans for project managers
• Project Oversight:
• Oversee a portfolio of complex, multi-site, and multi-disciplinary projects, ensuring alignment with customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards
• Organize and oversee multi-site and multi-business unit project management
• Provide escalation support and risk mitigation for high-impact projects
• Projection of resource capacity and forecasting
• Adhere to GCLP, CAP/CLIA and IVDR requirements for the conduct and documentation of projects within clinical trials
• Consistently demonstrate a positive, "can-do" and "customer-first" attitude
• Support SLS project management on-site. Consistent and predictable on-site attendance is an essential function of the position

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package options, including a free dental, vision package, life insurance, and disability coverage which start on your first day of employment.
• 401(k) match program which starts on your first day of employment.
• Time away from work (Generous vacation and paid time off, paid parental leave, paid family leave, etc.).
• Professional development opportunities and reimbursement for relevant certifications and tuition.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity.
• Employee Referral Program and Colleague Recognition Program.
• Team-building activities and social events.

Location and work hours details:

• Remote within the eastern US time zone OR anywhere in Germany
• Up to 20% domestic or international travel required for mandatory site meetings and trainings