Director, Project Management - EDS - Europe

Brief Description: 

The Director, Project Management- EDS is a senior leadership role accountable for the performance and development of a team of Clinical Research Project Managers (PMs) supporting a portfolio of clinical studies and observational research programs. Reporting to the Executive Director, Evidence Development Solutions, the Director, Project Management- EDS, is responsible for building and sustaining a high-functioning team that consistently delivers on scope, schedule, budget, and quality commitments to clients. This role owns the operational health of the team, including resource allocation strategy, contingency planning, utilization discipline, performance management, and talent development. Success is measured through outcomes delivered across the team's projects, client satisfaction, and standard operational KPIs.

Specific job duties:

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Directly manage a team of Clinical Project Managers, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance reviews, career development, and succession planning.
• Set clear performance expectations aligned to standard KPIs (on-time milestones, budget adherence, quality metrics, client satisfaction/NPS, revenue delivery, utilization, and retention).
• Hold PMs accountable to process discipline, SOP compliance, and consistent use of enterprise systems (e.g., Planisware, CTMS, financial trackers).
• Build and sustain a high-functioning team culture grounded in ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions in partnership with HR when required.

Resource Allocation & Contingency Planning

• Implement and continuously refine resource allocation strategies to match supply with portfolio demand, ensuring the right PM is assigned to the right study at the right time.
• Maintain team utilization within target ranges, balancing billability with capacity for training, mentorship, and business development support.
• Own contingency planning for leave coverage, unplanned attrition, and portfolio surges; ensure line managers secure backup coverage before planned absences and that concentration risk is actively managed.
• Substantiate resource decisions with data (evaluated candidates, utilization, skill fit) and hold the team to the same standard when raising "no supply" concerns.

Operational Excellence & Process Discipline

• Drive adoption of SOPs, RACI, and governance frameworks across the PM team, ensuring consistent execution and enterprise QMS alignment.
• Actively participate in the Project Review process, using it as a forum to identify risks, coach PMs, reinforce standards, and drive corrective actions across studies.
• Ensure timely and accurate updates to Planisware milestones, baselines, and financial forecasts.
• Champion inspection readiness and portfolio health tracking.
• Partner with Quality Assurance on CAPA execution, audit response, and continuous SOP improvement.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• May represent UBC in governance meetings, business reviews, and escalation calls as needed to support the PM team.
• Ensure PMs deliver executive-ready communication and status reporting to clients and internal leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with functional heads across Data Management, Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Medical Writing, Regulatory, and Site Management to resolve resourcing, quality, and delivery issues.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Segment leadership on org design, compensation planning, and capacity forecasting.

Supervisory Responsibility: 

• Directly manages a team of Clinical Project Managers (typically 10 to 15 direct reports), including Senior PMs and PMs. Responsible for hiring, performance management, compensation recommendations, career development, and succession planning for the team.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a life science, health science, or related field required; advanced degree (MS, PharmD, PhD, MBA) preferred. 
• Minimum 10 years of clinical project management experience in a CRO, pharmaceutical, or biotech setting, with at least 5 years of direct people management experience. 
• Demonstrated track record of leading teams delivering full-service clinical trials and/or post-authorization safety studies (PASS), registries, and RWE programs. 
• Proven ability to lead teams accountable for revenue delivery, margin management, and change order execution across a portfolio. 
• Deep expertise in project management methodology, resource planning, risk management, and contingency planning. 
• Strong command of enterprise delivery systems (Planisware, CTMS, financial forecasting tools) and productivity platforms (SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Copilot). 
• Experience with regulatory inspection readiness (FDA, EMA, Health Canada) and GCP/ICH standards. 
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills; ability to synthesize complex issues into clear decisions and recommendations. 
• Demonstrated ability to hold teams accountable to KPIs while developing talent and sustaining engagement. 
• Comfort operating in a matrixed, global environment across US and European teams. 
• PMP or equivalent certification preferred.

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