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Associate Director - Project Management - FSP - Drug Development - Job Opportunity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Remote, France
Full-time
Executive
Posted: June 27, 2025
Remote
EUR 95,000 - 120,000 annually plus performance bonuses and equity participation. This estimate reflects the premium positioning of Associate Director roles in France's pharmaceutical sector, particularly for remote positions with global Fortune 500 companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific. The FSP model typically commands 15-20% salary premiums over traditional CRO roles due to client-embedded responsibilities.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare and wellbeing support programs that prioritize employee health as a competitive advantage
Flexible remote work arrangements enabling optimal work-life integration and reduced commuting costs
Professional development resources and career advancement opportunities within a global leader
Access to cutting-edge scientific research and life-changing therapeutic development projects
International exposure through clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries
Disability accommodation services and inclusive workplace accessibility support

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic oversight of high-value drug development programs from pre-clinical stages through commercial launch, directly impacting global health outcomes
Serve as the primary strategic liaison between sponsors and internal teams, managing multi-million dollar project portfolios with direct P&L accountability
Lead cross-functional project delivery across time, cost, and quality dimensions while ensuring regulatory compliance and risk mitigation
Execute financial stewardship of complex contracts including budget management, out-of-scope negotiations, and contract modification processes
Provide strategic portfolio management and business growth strategy development within therapeutic units
Lead talent development and performance management for project delivery teams, fostering high-performance culture and career advancement
Drive risk identification and resolution processes using advanced methodologies (RBQM/RESOLVE) to ensure project success
Establish and manage customer expectations while maintaining optimal delivery standards and client satisfaction

Requirements

Education

Advanced degree (Master or PhD) in a health-related discipline or equivalent experience

Experience

At least 10 years of drug development experience across different disease areas and at least 5 years of program management experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry

Required Skills

Strong leadership, communication, and collaborative skills Proven ability to mediate conflict and manage change Advanced project management skills and experience with MS Project Fluent in English (verbal and written) Experience in Regulatory Affairs and/or Clinical Development

Certifications

PMP certification is an advantage
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Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in clinical trial complexity and global distribution, with companies increasingly requiring senior-level project management expertise to navigate regulatory landscapes across 100+ countries. This trend is driving demand for Associate Director-level professionals who can manage multi-jurisdictional drug development programs. Functional Service Provider (FSP) models are becoming the dominant engagement strategy in pharmaceutical outsourcing, representing a $45+ billion market segment. Organizations are shifting from traditional full-service outsourcing to embedded, specialized teams that integrate directly with client operations, creating premium opportunities for senior project management professionals. The convergence of digital health technologies, decentralized clinical trials, and regulatory harmonization initiatives is creating new operational complexity that requires senior-level strategic oversight. Companies are investing heavily in leaders who can bridge traditional drug development with emerging technological capabilities. Post-pandemic market dynamics have accelerated remote work adoption in pharmaceutical project management, with companies now competing globally for top talent rather than being constrained by geographic proximity to clinical sites or headquarters.

Role Significance

Typically manages 8-15 direct reports across multiple therapeutic programs, with indirect influence over 25-40 cross-functional team members including clinical research associates, regulatory specialists, biostatisticians, and vendor management teams. The matrix management structure requires coordination with stakeholders across multiple time zones and regulatory jurisdictions.
This Associate Director position represents a senior executive level role with significant P&L responsibility and strategic decision-making authority. The role combines three distinct leadership dimensions - Project Lead, Oversight Director, and People Manager - indicating a high-impact position that directly influences business outcomes and organizational success. The requirement for 10+ years of drug development experience and advanced degree positions this role in the top 15% of pharmaceutical project management hierarchy.

Key Projects

Multi-phase clinical development programs with budgets ranging from $50-200 million, encompassing Phase I through Phase III trials across multiple therapeutic areas Regulatory submission preparation and management for FDA, EMA, and other global regulatory authorities, including IND filings, clinical study reports, and NDA/BLA submissions Strategic portfolio optimization initiatives involving asset prioritization, resource allocation, and therapeutic area expansion decisions Digital transformation projects implementing new clinical trial technologies, data management systems, and regulatory compliance platforms Merger and acquisition integration projects involving clinical asset transfer, regulatory harmonization, and operational consolidation

Success Factors

Strategic thinking capability combined with operational excellence is essential for success in this role. The ability to simultaneously manage day-to-day project execution while contributing to long-term business strategy development distinguishes high-performing Associate Directors from their peers. This requires deep understanding of drug development science, regulatory requirements, and commercial market dynamics. Financial acumen and contract management expertise are critical success factors, as the role involves direct P&L responsibility and complex vendor negotiations. Successful candidates must demonstrate ability to optimize resource allocation, manage budget variances, and drive profitable growth through strategic decision-making. Leadership versatility across different stakeholder groups is fundamental, as the role requires managing up to C-level executives, across to peer functional leaders, and down to diverse project teams. The ability to adapt communication styles and influence strategies based on audience needs directly impacts project success rates. Regulatory intelligence and compliance expertise serve as foundational success factors, particularly given the global scope of clinical trials and increasing regulatory complexity. Deep knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, regional regulatory requirements, and emerging guidance documents is essential for maintaining competitive advantage.

Market Demand

Very High - The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing acute shortages of senior project management talent with drug development expertise. The combination of increasing clinical trial complexity, regulatory demands, and the shift toward FSP models has created a highly competitive market for Associate Director-level professionals. Remote work capabilities have expanded the talent pool globally while simultaneously increasing competition among employers.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced project management expertise with MS Project proficiency is absolutely essential as this role involves managing complex, multi-year drug development programs with interdependent timelines, resource constraints, and regulatory milestones. The ability to create, maintain, and optimize project schedules directly impacts program success and client satisfaction. Financial stewardship and contract management capabilities are critical for success, as the role involves direct P&L responsibility for multi-million dollar programs. Understanding of pharmaceutical budgeting, cost allocation, change management processes, and vendor negotiations directly influences profitability and client relationships. Regulatory affairs knowledge and GCP compliance expertise are fundamental requirements given the heavily regulated nature of drug development. Deep understanding of FDA, EMA, and other global regulatory requirements ensures program compliance and reduces risk of costly delays or regulatory holds. Leadership and stakeholder management skills across diverse, matrix organizations are essential for driving cross-functional collaboration and maintaining client relationships. The ability to influence without direct authority and manage competing priorities is critical for program delivery.

Beneficial Skills

PMP certification and other project management credentials enhance credibility and demonstrate commitment to professional development, though practical experience often carries more weight in pharmaceutical environments Therapeutic area expertise in high-growth segments such as oncology, rare diseases, or cell and gene therapy can provide competitive advantages in business development and program execution Digital health and decentralized trial experience is increasingly valuable as the industry continues to adopt technology-enabled clinical research methods and remote patient monitoring capabilities Multilingual capabilities, particularly in European languages, can enhance career opportunities given the global nature of clinical development and regulatory requirements across diverse markets

Unique Aspects

The FSP (Functional Service Provider) model represents a premium positioning within the CRO industry, offering client-embedded services that command higher margins and provide deeper strategic partnerships compared to traditional outsourcing arrangements
Integration with Thermo Fisher Scientific's broader life sciences platform provides unique access to cutting-edge laboratory technologies, analytical services, and regulatory expertise that smaller CROs cannot match
The combination of three distinct leadership roles (Project Lead, Oversight Director, People Manager) within a single position creates exceptional career development opportunities and broad skill building across multiple management disciplines
Remote work arrangement with global Fortune 500 company represents optimal combination of career stability, professional growth, and work-life flexibility that is increasingly rare in pharmaceutical project management roles

Career Growth

Career progression to VP level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing Associate Directors, particularly those who demonstrate consistent delivery of major program milestones and regulatory approvals. Progression to C-level roles generally requires 7-10 years of additional experience, though this can be accelerated in high-growth biotech environments.

Potential Next Roles

Vice President of Clinical Development or Clinical Operations within 3-5 years, typically involving responsibility for entire therapeutic areas or geographic regions with budgets exceeding $500 million annually Global Program Director for major pharmaceutical companies, overseeing late-stage development programs and commercial launch preparation for blockbuster drug candidates Chief Operating Officer or Chief Development Officer roles at mid-size biotech companies, providing opportunity to influence overall business strategy and organizational development Independent consulting practice specializing in drug development strategy and regulatory affairs, leveraging deep industry expertise to advise multiple pharmaceutical and biotech clients

Company Overview

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific represents a $40+ billion global leader in scientific instrumentation, reagents, consumables, software, and services, with particular strength in life sciences research and clinical diagnostics. The company's PPD division, acquired in 2021 for $17.4 billion, positions Thermo Fisher as one of the world's largest contract research organizations with capabilities spanning the entire drug development lifecycle.

Thermo Fisher Scientific holds dominant market positions across multiple life sciences segments and ranks among the top 3 global CROs by revenue. The company's integrated platform approach, combining laboratory services, clinical research capabilities, and regulatory expertise, provides significant competitive advantages in winning and executing large-scale pharmaceutical partnerships.
The company maintains strong European operations with significant presence in France, Germany, and the UK, supported by global clinical trial capabilities across 100+ countries. The remote work arrangement for this role reflects the company's commitment to accessing global talent while maintaining operational excellence across diverse geographic markets.
Thermo Fisher Scientific emphasizes scientific excellence, innovation, and mission-driven work focused on improving global health outcomes. The company culture values collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development, with particular emphasis on employee wellbeing and work-life integration. The FSP model creates a unique cultural environment that combines the resources and stability of a large organization with the client-focused agility of boutique consulting.
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