Project Director Start Up

As a leading global contract research organization (CRO) with a passion for scientific rigor and decades of clinical development experience, Fortrea provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers a wide range of clinical development, patient access and technology solutions across more than 20 therapeutic areas. With over 19,000 staff conducting operations in more than 90 countries, Fortrea is transforming drug and device development for partners and patients across the globe.

The Project Director Start-up provides oversight at a portfolio level for clients. Responsibilities include oversight of Start-up PMs to ensure client deliverables are met. They supervise and assess the performance of their direct reports; motivate, train and develop direct reports expertise to ensure efficient and effective day-to-day operations, while maintaining good relationships with clients.

Accountable for overarching project delivery according to scope, schedule and costs, and in alignment with the contract and financial performance targets. Initiate and implement appropriate actions to proactively manage the change control process both internally and externally while meeting customer needs and maintaining operational excellence. Develop the project delivery strategy, costing assumptions and resulting budget for assigned project(s).
- Serve as key client contact and point of escalation (both internal and external) for assigned projects, establishing working relationships with client project teams which result in client satisfaction, operational excellence and thereby increase potential for repeat business.
- Drive communication and collaboration with the client and project team across a matrixed, multi-cultural, environment. Proactively identify and resolve conflicts as needed.
- Accountable for the development of the project strategy and ensures prioritization with the project team and key stakeholders in the creation of clear, data driven strategies and proactive management of project scope, timelines, quality and budget. Leads the collaboration with relevant departments to prepare and deliver presentations for new and repeat business.
- Accountable for the identification of project, financial and quality risk leveraging end to end risk management practices and quality by design principles. Develop and manage key project performance indicators for client specified metrics, ensuring that the KPIs are within scope of the project contract. Appropriately utilize data sources, dashboards and risk management strategies to drive innovation and proactive problem solving with the project and client teams. Oversee team management of and variance to required project
- Provides oversight to project team members and key stakeholders to manage project budgets, resources and scope ensuring adherence to contract and financial milestones. Ensures allocated resources are aligned with current and forecasted work in terms of capability, quantity, timing, and efficiency. Helps to establish succession plans for key resources. Accountable for accurately forecasting project revenue and managing project costs in adherence to the budget. Leading the timely management of changes to scope and the change order process.
- Provide inspiring leadership and play a key role in the creation of high performing project teams. Lead core project team(s) and facilitate team's ability to lead extended project team(s), ensuring effective cross-functional teamwork among project team members including both internal and external stakeholders. Facilitating communication and teamwork while driving delivery, ensuring that team members understand contracted scope, timelines and budget. Serves as a PM Subject Matter Expert who will develop, train, and mentor team members in multiple areas of expertise strengthening and deepening talent bench and succession. Assesses project management competencies for project staff in collaboration with line management team to support individual developmental plans that will increase competencies and close performance gaps. Provide feedback as needed to respective line managers.

Experience Required:
Extensive drug development and clinical research experience (pharmaceutical, biotech or CRO), preferably including project management responsibility / leading clinical trials in Study Start-up and global leadership experience, ideally in a complex, virtual and matrix environment leading large multi-functional teams

Education: University/college degree (life science preferred) or certification in a related allied health profession (i.e. nursing, medical or laboratory technology) from an appropriately accredited institution

Preferred:
 Master or other advanced degree  PMP certification

Fortrea is actively seeking motivated problem-solvers and creative thinkers who share our passion for overcoming barriers in clinical trials. Our unwavering commitment is to revolutionize the development process, ensuring the swift d