Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

Onsite | Durham, NC | Full-Time

The Senior Project Manager plays a critical role in leading and executing client programs across MedPharm's end-to-end CDMO services. This client-facing position ensures seamless project execution by coordinating internal teams, managing key project milestones, and driving revenue through proactive scope management. Acting as the primary liaison between clients and internal departments, the Senior Project Manager provides strategic oversight, independently manages complex projects and client programs, mitigates risks, and identifies opportunities to optimize project delivery and client satisfaction. The Senior Project Manager also supports the development of junior members of the Project Management team and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives across the function.

Essential Functions

• Client Engagement & Program Leadership
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, maintaining overall project knowledge and fostering strong relationships, with a high degree of autonomy across complex projects and client programs.
• Lead project team activities and ensure alignment between MedPharm and client expectations.
• Provide regular updates to clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and strategic alignment.
• Provide guidance and informal support to junior members of the Project Management team as needed, sharing best practices and helping to build team capability.
• Project Planning & Execution
• Develop and maintain Gantt charts to communicate timelines and progress.
• Identify and manage critical dependencies to ensure smooth execution of project activities, applying sound judgement and operating with a high level of autonomy.
• Ensure proper utilization of project management tools, including meeting agendas, minutes, trackers, and dashboards.
• Liaise with the Finance team to confirm recognition of contractual milestones and monitor project expenditure to remain within budget.
• Manage the extension and expansion of ongoing projects, including the planning and delivery of change orders.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records within designated platforms such as Salesforce, Smartsheet, or other internal systems.
• Risk & Issue Management
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks, escalating unresolved issues or resource constraints as needed.
• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving and decision-making to maintain project momentum.
• Drive accountability across teams to meet contracted commitments and deliverables.
• Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
• Partner with leadership to enhance project management processes and tools, and help drive continuous improvement across the Project Management team.
• Contribute to operational excellence by identifying efficiencies and best practices, and supporting their adoption within the Project Management team.
• Ensure compliance with MedPharm's quality standards, regulatory requirements, and training programs.
• Key Relationships (examples: Depts or Individual positions that this position will be working closely with):
• Technical Teams
• Senior/Executive Management
• Business Development
• Finance
• Travel requirements:
• Minimal travel required, limited to occasional client visits or conferences as needed.
• Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Life Sciences, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience in project management within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or CDMO industry.
• PMP certification and/or a Master's degree is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in a CDMO or CMO environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional client programs and supporting or mentoring less experienced project managers is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Project, PowerPoint, Outlook), Smartsheet, and Adobe Pro.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently, influence cross-functional teams, and support the development of junior colleagues.
• Physical Demands and Work Environment
• While performing the duties of this job, there may be certain physical demands required for the position.
• Other Duties
• You may be asked to take on any other responsibilities or tasks that are within your skills and abilities whenever reasonably asked.
• Limitations and Disclaimer
• The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The Company is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the workplace to ensure the role is accessible to all candidates, including those with disabilities. To perform the job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.