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

Remote, France
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 29, 2025
Remote
EUR 120,000 - 180,000 annually, reflecting the executive-level responsibilities, extensive experience requirements, and specialized expertise in drug development project management within the French market

Benefits

Comprehensive resources for achieving individual career goals while contributing to life-changing therapies
Access to global clinical trial network spanning 100+ countries with cutting-edge research opportunities
Professional development through PPD's renowned CRO platform with client-dedicated experience
Technologically empowered work environment with top-tier talent deployment across all engagement models
Health and wellbeing support programs encouraging work-life balance and thriving workplace culture
Equal opportunity employment with disability accessibility services and accommodation support

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic oversight of high-level asset development plans from pre-clinical stages through commercial launch, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and market positioning
Serve as primary executive contact between sponsor organizations and internal teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships at the project leadership level
Lead cross-functional project delivery with full accountability for time, cost, and quality outcomes across global biotech development programs
Execute financial stewardship responsibilities including contract management, budget alignment, Out of Scope activity oversight, and Con Mod process negotiations
Establish and manage customer expectations while driving optimal delivery outcomes through strategic communication and relationship management
Lead risk identification and issue resolution processes using RBQM/RESOLVE methodologies to ensure project success
Provide strategic portfolio management for therapeutic indications or client-specific programs within specialized Therapeutic Units
Guide and develop project leads through critical thinking provocation related to execution delivery, financial negotiations, and strategic prioritization
Contribute to business growth strategies and proposal development for bid defense processes in competitive markets
Lead career development and performance management for project delivery teams in alignment with organizational excellence standards

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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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical and biotech industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in decentralized clinical trials and digital health solutions, creating high demand for experienced project management professionals who can navigate complex regulatory environments across multiple countries. This trend is particularly pronounced in autoimmune disease research where innovative treatment modalities require sophisticated project oversight. Functional Service Provider (FSP) models are becoming increasingly popular as biotech companies seek to optimize operational efficiency while maintaining quality standards. This shift represents a fundamental change in how pharmaceutical companies structure their development programs, creating significant opportunities for senior project management professionals. The integration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in drug development is transforming traditional project management approaches, requiring leaders who can bridge technical innovation with regulatory compliance and commercial strategy.

Role Significance

Typically manages 8-15 direct reports across multiple project teams, with indirect influence over 50-100+ professionals across cross-functional development programs, reflecting the complex matrix structure common in pharmaceutical project management
This is a senior executive position with substantial strategic responsibility spanning multiple organizational levels including project leadership, oversight direction, and people management. The role combines operational excellence with strategic business development, positioning the incumbent as a key decision-maker in therapeutic development programs.

Key Projects

Multi-phase clinical trial programs for autoimmune diseases requiring coordination across regulatory jurisdictions Strategic portfolio management for therapeutic indications with commercial potential exceeding $500M Cross-functional drug development initiatives from IND filing through NDA/BLA submission International regulatory strategy development for novel therapeutic modalities

Success Factors

Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities across diverse cultural and regulatory environments, as the role requires seamless coordination between sponsors, regulatory agencies, and internal teams across 100+ countries Deep therapeutic area expertise combined with commercial acumen to drive strategic decision-making that balances scientific rigor with business objectives Advanced change management and conflict resolution skills essential for navigating the complex challenges inherent in pharmaceutical development timelines and regulatory requirements Financial stewardship excellence including sophisticated understanding of contract negotiations, budget management, and resource optimization in high-stakes development programs

Market Demand

Very high demand due to the critical shortage of experienced drug development project managers with both technical expertise and leadership capabilities in the European biotech sector

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced project management capabilities using sophisticated tools like MS Project are essential because this role oversees complex, multi-year drug development programs with interdependent timelines across regulatory jurisdictions. The ability to manage these complexities directly impacts patient access to life-saving therapies. Financial stewardship and contract management expertise is critical as the role involves accountability for budgets often exceeding $50-100M per program, with direct responsibility for negotiations that can impact overall program viability and commercial success. Cross-cultural communication and stakeholder management skills are fundamental given the global nature of clinical trials and the need to coordinate between diverse regulatory environments, cultural contexts, and organizational structures.

Beneficial Skills

Regulatory affairs expertise provides significant advantage in navigating the increasingly complex global regulatory landscape, particularly valuable as regulatory requirements continue to evolve with new therapeutic modalities Digital health and decentralized trial experience offers competitive advantage as the industry continues its transformation toward technology-enabled clinical research methodologies Business development and commercial strategy understanding enhances value proposition for future executive roles and provides broader perspective on pharmaceutical industry dynamics

Unique Aspects

Rare combination of three distinct leadership roles (Project Lead, Oversight Director, and People Manager) providing comprehensive executive development experience that accelerates career progression
Direct exposure to cutting-edge autoimmune disease research with a fast-growing global biotech client, offering insights into emerging therapeutic modalities and innovative treatment approaches
Integration within both Thermo Fisher Scientific's corporate structure and PPD's specialized CRO expertise, providing dual perspectives on pharmaceutical industry operations
Strategic involvement in business development activities including proposal strategy and bid defense, unusual for project management roles and valuable for future executive positions

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years to transition to VP-level roles, with potential for C-suite positions within 7-10 years given the comprehensive leadership experience and strategic business development exposure

Potential Next Roles

Vice President of Program Management or Clinical Development within pharmaceutical or biotech organizations Chief Operating Officer roles in mid-sized biotech companies focusing on specialized therapeutic areas Senior Director positions in global pharmaceutical companies leading therapeutic area strategy Independent consulting roles serving as interim executive for biotech companies preparing for IPO or major licensing deals

Company Overview

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific stands as a global leader in serving science with annual revenues exceeding $40 billion, representing one of the most comprehensive life sciences companies worldwide. Through its PPD division, the company operates one of the largest clinical research organizations globally, providing end-to-end drug development services from early-phase research through commercial launch.

Market leader position in the life sciences sector with dominant presence in clinical research services, laboratory equipment, and pharmaceutical development support. The company's scale and geographic reach provide unparalleled resources for career development and professional growth.
This remote position in France leverages the company's strong European operations while providing access to global projects and international career opportunities. The role benefits from both local market knowledge and worldwide corporate resources.
Mission-driven culture focused on enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, with strong emphasis on innovation, integrity, and collaborative excellence. The organization promotes work-life balance while maintaining high performance standards.
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