Project Manager

Overview Location: Cary, North Carolina, US Department: Business Development Reference: VN1363 Summary The Project Manager is an essential partner with Operations and the site management team and is accountable for driving results in a dynamic environment by leading projects to completion. The project manager possesses a strong scientific and technical understanding of Sterling services and can effectively interact and communicate directly with highly educated, innovative industry leaders. He or she leads cross‑functional project teams to deliver against contracted commitments and timelines, while having in‑depth knowledge of a product lifecycle through regulatory phases from pre‑clinical to commercialization to identify and propose necessary activities for successful regulatory approval. This role includes assessing the scope of services in the contract, developing project plans, directing project activities, tracking project status, and serving as the primary point of contact for all customer communications. The position requires superior leadership behaviors of the Sterling core competencies and non‑negotiables, as well as expertise in functional competencies. In addition, the project manager must lead and influence multi‑disciplinary project teams, meet GMP standards, and demonstrate skills in critical thinking, problem solving, detail orientation, results orientation, competing priorities management, and excellent verbal and written communication. Essential Functions Establishes, leads, and manages a project team of technical and scientific members to deliver against contracted commitments and timelines. Assesses the scope of services and creates detailed timelines outlining actions, deliverables, and risks. Identifies and requests resources, including technical and scientific resources required to execute the project from functional areas. Reviews the contract scope and project schedule with the team to identify gaps, risks, and additional required services. Identifies and communicates any items that are out of scope and may require contract amendments. Leads the project kick‑off meeting with the customer, introducing the team and presenting scope, timeline, risks, and proposed additional activities. Leads project team activities, monitors progress against established timelines, and provides regular updates to internal stakeholders and customers. Resolves conflict by providing proactive escalation of project or customer relationship issues, proposing corrective actions, and managing the response with the customer. Maintains accurate timelines using MS Project, tracks open actions with MS Excel, monitors forecasted revenue, and manages GMP documentation. Demonstrates fiscal responsibility by monitoring, forecasting, and calculating profitability of assigned projects. Works closely with Sales and Business Development Manager to generate change orders and new proposals for additional work. Serves as main point of contact for all project‑related activities and invoice disputes. Partners with the site Commercial Manager to implement improvements to the Project Management processes and systems. Ensures timely completion and compliance with cGMP and all relevant training requirements. Key Competencies Technical and scientific knowledge of Sterling services within the customer’s project and contract. Knowledge of the product life cycle through regulatory phases to propose necessary activities for regulatory approval. Technical and scientific aptitude to lead the project team and set reasonable timelines and milestones. Strong communication skills when representing technical details to stakeholders and customers. Ability to organize and run business/project review meetings with senior leaders from Sterling and the customer. Ability to resolve conflict and influence the project team or the customer to achieve successful outcomes. Knowledge of validated GMP systems and business acumen to understand contracts and financial impacts. Superior organizational skills and efficiency at updating and maintaining multiple files in various systems. Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills. Ability to motivate and influence others. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other computer systems. Job description may change at any time with or without notice. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree required. 3–5 years of related pharmaceutical or biotech experience required. 3–5 years of experience leading multi‑disciplinary project teams in a service business required. Ability to independently manage projects of any size, scope, and complexity. Ability to coach and provide direction to less experienced project managers. Formal project management training or certification preferred. Travel Requirement Up to 5% travel required. Other Qualifications, Skills and Abilities Position is eligible for a flexible schedule. Position is not eligible for remote or hybrid work location. Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The employee regularly uses hands and arms to handle or feel; talks or hears and smells; sits regularly; and occasionally stands, walks, stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet with occasional higher noise elevations in warehouse or manufacturing areas. The employee may be required to gain access to lab personnel or tour clients through various facilities. The employee must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, which may include safety eyewear, respirators, lab coats, protective body coverings, and gloves. Diversity and Inclusion Sterling values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military service, marital status, gender identity or expression, medical condition, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. Sterling Pharma Solutions is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. #J-18808-Ljbffr