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

Remote, Netherlands

Full-time

Executive

Posted: July 29, 2025

Remote

EUR 120,000 - 160,000 annually based on Netherlands market rates for executive-level project management roles in pharmaceutical services, with potential for performance bonuses and equity participation given the FSP model and client-dedicated nature of the position

Benefits

Meaningful work contributing to global health improvement and life-changing therapies

Access to top-tier resources and technologies for career advancement

International exposure through clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries

Professional development opportunities within a renowned CRO organization

Direct client engagement experience through FSP functional service model

Comprehensive training and rigorous support systems

Standard work schedule (Monday-Friday) providing work-life balance

Office-based environmental conditions with modern workplace amenities

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the primary strategic contact between sponsor organizations and internal teams at the project level, managing high-stakes relationships that directly impact drug development timelines

Drive and own the complete delivery of cross-functional projects encompassing time, cost, and quality parameters, ensuring successful asset development from pre-clinical stages to commercial launch

Execute financial stewardship responsibilities including intimate contract understanding, resource-to-budget alignment, Out of Scope activity management, and Contract Modification process negotiations

Lead strategic indication or client-specific portfolio management within Therapeutic Units, providing oversight direction that influences business growth strategies

Establish and manage customer expectations to achieve optimal delivery outcomes while maintaining alignment with corporate strategy and regulatory requirements

Drive comprehensive Risk Identification and Issue Resolution at project level using RBQM/RESOLVE methodologies to mitigate potential development delays

Ensure project team compliance with organizational policies, SOPs, ICH-GCP, regulatory and project-specific requirements that are critical for drug approval success

Provide career development and performance management for project delivery teams, fostering talent development that directly impacts organizational capability

Navigate complex proposal strategy development and bid defense processes that determine future business opportunities and revenue growth

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

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in biotech partnerships and functional service provider models, driven by the need for specialized expertise and cost optimization in drug development. Companies are increasingly relying on FSP models to access top-tier talent without the overhead of permanent hiring, particularly in complex therapeutic areas like autoimmune diseases where specialized knowledge is critical. Digital transformation and decentralized clinical trials are reshaping project management approaches in drug development, requiring leaders who can navigate both traditional and innovative trial methodologies. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated adoption of remote monitoring, digital endpoints, and virtual trial components, making hybrid management skills essential. Regulatory complexity is intensifying globally, with agencies implementing more sophisticated requirements for drug approval processes. This trend is driving demand for senior project managers who can ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining development timelines, particularly for mid-sized biotech companies entering international markets.

Role Significance

Typically manages 8-15 direct reports across multiple project teams, with indirect influence over 30-50 cross-functional team members including clinical operations, regulatory affairs, data management, and biostatistics professionals working on integrated drug development programs

This is a senior executive position combining three distinct leadership functions: Project Lead, Oversight Director, and People Manager. The role sits at the intersection of client relationship management, strategic portfolio oversight, and team development, indicating high organizational impact and decision-making authority within the therapeutic unit structure.

Key Projects

Multi-phase clinical development programs for autoimmune disease treatments spanning Phase I through Phase III trials Regulatory submission preparation and agency interaction management for novel therapeutic approaches Cross-functional portfolio management encompassing multiple indications within autoimmune therapeutic areas Strategic planning and execution for commercial launch preparation activities Contract modification negotiations and scope expansion projects that directly impact revenue and client satisfaction

Success Factors

Demonstrated expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes across multiple therapeutic areas, with particular emphasis on autoimmune disease development pathways and the ability to anticipate and mitigate regulatory risks that could impact development timelines and approval success. Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities enabling effective communication and alignment between diverse groups including client executives, internal cross-functional teams, regulatory agencies, and external vendors while maintaining focus on strategic objectives and deliverable quality. Financial acumen and commercial awareness allowing for effective budget management, contract negotiation, and identification of business development opportunities that contribute to organizational growth and client satisfaction in the competitive CRO marketplace. Change management leadership skills essential for guiding teams through the evolving landscape of clinical trial methodologies, regulatory requirements, and client expectations while maintaining operational excellence and team morale during periods of uncertainty. Strategic thinking ability to balance multiple competing priorities across portfolio management, team development, and client delivery while maintaining long-term perspective on therapeutic area trends and organizational capability building requirements.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the growing biotech sector, increased outsourcing of drug development activities, and the specific need for experienced leaders who can manage complex cross-functional projects in specialized therapeutic areas

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced project management expertise with MS Project proficiency is essential because drug development programs involve complex interdependencies, regulatory milestones, and resource coordination across multiple functional areas. The ability to create, maintain, and communicate detailed project plans directly impacts the success of multi-million dollar development programs and client satisfaction. Financial stewardship and contract management capabilities are critical because this role involves direct P&L responsibility, contract modification negotiations, and resource allocation decisions that significantly impact both project profitability and client relationships. Understanding of pharmaceutical economics and pricing models is essential for sustainable business growth. Regulatory affairs knowledge and ICH-GCP compliance expertise are fundamental because all drug development activities must meet stringent regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions. The ability to anticipate regulatory challenges and ensure compliance directly impacts the approvability of client assets and the reputation of the organization.

Beneficial Skills

Digital health and decentralized clinical trial experience would be highly valuable as the industry continues to evolve toward hybrid trial models and innovative data collection approaches, particularly in autoimmune diseases where patient accessibility and retention are ongoing challenges. Business development and proposal writing skills would enhance career progression opportunities and contribute to organizational growth, particularly given the oversight director responsibilities and involvement in bid defense activities outlined in the role description. Therapeutic area expertise in immunology or rheumatology would provide additional value when working with autoimmune-focused clients, enabling more strategic consultation and potentially leading to expanded scope opportunities and stronger client relationships.

Unique Aspects

This role offers the distinctive opportunity to work within a hybrid model that combines the resources and stability of a Fortune 100 company with the client-dedicated focus and entrepreneurial environment of a specialized service provider, creating unique exposure to both enterprise-scale operations and boutique-style client relationships.

The position provides direct involvement in cutting-edge autoimmune disease research, an area experiencing significant scientific breakthroughs and regulatory evolution, offering exposure to novel therapeutic approaches and innovative clinical trial designs that are shaping the future of medicine.

The triple responsibility structure encompassing Project Lead, Oversight Director, and People Manager functions creates an accelerated leadership development opportunity that is rare in the industry, providing comprehensive experience across all dimensions of senior pharmaceutical operations.

Working with a global mid-sized biotech client focused on autoimmune diseases provides insight into the complete drug development lifecycle from a client perspective, offering valuable experience that bridges CRO service delivery with pharmaceutical company strategic thinking and decision-making processes.

Career Growth

Career progression to VP-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the executive nature of current responsibilities, with potential acceleration based on successful portfolio growth and client expansion achievements

Potential Next Roles

Vice President of Clinical Development or Operations within pharmaceutical or biotech companies, leveraging the combination of project leadership, portfolio management, and team development experience gained in this role Therapeutic Area Head or Business Unit Leader positions within CROs, building on the client relationship management and strategic oversight responsibilities demonstrated in this position Chief Operating Officer roles at mid-sized biotech companies, particularly those focused on autoimmune diseases, where the combination of operational excellence and regulatory expertise would be highly valued

Company Overview

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a global leader in serving science with revenues exceeding $40 billion, combining laboratory equipment, reagents, and services across multiple scientific disciplines. The PPD division represents one of the world's largest contract research organizations, providing comprehensive drug development services from early-phase research through post-market surveillance with operations spanning over 100 countries.

Thermo Fisher Scientific holds a dominant position in the global life sciences market, consistently ranked among the top 3 CROs worldwide with particular strength in integrated drug development services and technological innovation. The company's acquisition strategy has created a comprehensive portfolio of capabilities that few competitors can match in terms of breadth and geographic reach.

The Netherlands location represents a strategic hub for European operations, providing access to European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulatory expertise and serving as a gateway to broader European Union markets. This positioning is particularly valuable for biotech clients seeking to navigate complex European regulatory pathways while maintaining close collaboration with US-based operations.

Thermo Fisher Scientific emphasizes scientific excellence and innovation while maintaining a performance-driven culture that values individual contribution and professional development. The FSP model creates a unique environment that combines the stability and resources of a large organization with the client-focused, entrepreneurial atmosphere typical of dedicated service teams.

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

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Certifications

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence