Senior Project Manager, Life Sciences & Labratory Planning

Job Description

Job Description

About Visions

Founded in 2007, Visions Management set out to reimagine the client experience with move management, space planning & FFE services. Since then, we’ve built a diverse team of experts united by creativity, adaptability, and a passion for delivering seamless solutions.

Over the years, our services have expanded to include embedded workplace services alongside our relocation and project management offerings, allowing us to partner more deeply with clients and support them in creating workplaces that are efficient, resilient and people-focused.

Recognized for our growth and workplace culture, we are proud to be a 3x Inc. 5000 honoree, named among the North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work, recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Fastest Growing Companies, and the recipient of an EcoVadis Silver Medal for our commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and social responsibility.

At Visions, diversity isn’t just a value but a driver of innovation and impact. We believe unique perspectives strengthen our team and allow us to better serve our clients. As a family-first company, we foster a culture of growth, education, and collaboration, inspiring our people to learn, lead and bring big ideas to life.

We are excited to learn more about you.

About the Team

The Life Sciences team provides specialized relocation services to clients in the Bio-Tech, Pharma, Education and Healthcare industries. Our decades of experience with projects in clinical and research environments are critical to support our clients with complex, detailed, and specialized projects. We are proud ambassadors of Visions Management and embrace our role representing Visions’ commitment to our client first approach.

About the Role

Responsibilities –

The Senior Project Manager, Life Sciences & Laboratory Planning leads complex laboratory relocation, infrastructure, and planning projects across research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and academic environments.

This role combines strong project leadership with deep knowledge of laboratory operations, scientific equipment, infrastructure, and space planning. You will serve as a primary client contact while also acting as a technical resource to clients and project teams throughout planning, design, relocation, installation, commissioning, and operational readiness.

You’ll work closely with scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and specialty vendors to translate scientific and operational requirements into practical project solutions. From developing schedules and budgets to reviewing equipment layouts, utilities, fit-up requirements, and relocation sequencing, you will help ensure projects are technically sound, operationally successful, and delivered with minimal disruption to research.

 

Project & Client Leadership

• Lead complex laboratory relocation, planning, and infrastructure projects from early planning through execution and closeout.
• Serve as a primary client contact and trusted advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, risk plans, and key deliverables.
• Lead project meetings and coordinate scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty vendors.
• Manage vendor scopes, change orders, project documentation, and reporting.
• Deliver projects on time, on budget, and in alignment with client expectations and defined project KPI’s.

 

Laboratory Equipment & Space Planning

• Lead laboratory equipment planning for relocations, renovations, new construction, and facility improvement projects.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive equipment inventories, databases, layouts, and planning documentation.
• Partner with scientists, principal investigators, laboratory managers, and facilities stakeholders to understand equipment and operational requirements.
• Evaluate equipment for reuse, replacement, relocation, or disposition.
• Identify equipment requirements including electrical, plumbing, gases, exhaust, HVAC, chilled water, DI water, compressed air, vacuum, and specialty utilities.
• Coordinate equipment dimensions, weights, service clearances, structural requirements, access paths, and installation sequencing.

Design, Technical Coordination & Documentation

• Review architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and laboratory design documents to ensure equipment compatibility and coordination.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty consultants to integrate laboratory equipment and infrastructure requirements into the overall design.
• Review utility rough-ins, structural support requirements, equipment clearances, access paths, and installation feasibility.
• Develop and maintain laboratory equipment layouts, equipment plans, installation drawings, and technical exhibits using Autodesk CAD.
• Utilize Bluebeam Revu for drawing reviews, redlines, measurements, equipment markups, quantity takeoffs, and design coordination.
• Participate in design reviews, coordination meetings, site walks, and project workshops throughout all phases of a project.
• Identify technical conflicts and constructability issues early and collaborate with project teams to develop practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate drawing revisions, technical documentation, and client-ready project deliverables.

 

EH&S, Seismic & Installation Compliance

• Serve as a technical resource for EH&S considerations related to laboratory equipment planning, relocation, and installation.
• Coordinate with client and institutional EH&S teams to support applicable safety requirements and standards.
• Evaluate and coordinate seismic anchoring and restraint requirements in accordance with applicable codes, manufacturer recommendations, and client standards.
• Collaborate with structural engineers, architects, contractors, and specialty vendors to address anchoring, utility, equipment placement, and safety requirements.

Relocation, Installation & Operational Readiness

• Develop detailed laboratory relocation strategies and equipment move plans.
• Coordinate specialized equipment vendors, movers, manufacturers, installers, and other project partners.
• Plan equipment shutdown, relocation, installation, start-up, and commissioning sequencing to minimize disruption to scientific operations.
• Support equipment fit-up and installation by verifying utilities, clearances, anchoring requirements, and overall readiness.
• Assess laboratory workflows and operational requirements and recommend solutions that improve functionality, safety, efficiency, and future flexibility.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during relocation, installation, commissioning, and project closeout.

About You

You are an experienced Life Sciences project manager who understands both how to manage a complex project and how laboratories actually operate. You’re comfortable moving between the big picture - client relationships, schedules, budgets, risk, and project strategy – as well as the technical details of laboratory equipment, utilities, layouts, fit-up, and relocation sequencing. You can walk into a laboratory, understand the operational environment, ask the right questions, identify potential challenges, and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to develop solutions. You are organized, curious, technically minded, and committed to delivering an exceptional client experience.

 

Requirements

• 7+ years of project management, laboratory planning, laboratory operations, facilities planning, or related experience within complex laboratory environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading laboratory relocations, infrastructure projects, renovations, and/or new laboratory facilities.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory equipment, scientific instrumentation, infrastructure, utilities, fit-up, and operational workflows.
• Experience working with scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and specialty vendors.
• Ability to review and interpret architectural, engineering, MEP, and laboratory equipment drawings.
• Proficiency with Autodesk CAD software and Bluebeam Revu.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, EH&S requirements, seismic anchoring, and applicable regulatory considerations.
• Strong project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and vendor coordination.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and client-service skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific, operational, and technical requirements into practical project solutions.
• BA/BS in life sciences, engineering, construction management, facilities planning, or a related field preferred.
• PMP or equivalent project management credential preferred.