Project Manager - Job Opportunity at HUB Organoids BV

Utrecht, Netherlands
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: May 23, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 55,000 - 70,000 annually based on Netherlands biotech market standards for mid-level project managers with specialized organoid/CRO experience, with potential for performance bonuses and equity participation given the company's growth trajectory and Merck KGaA backing.

Benefits

Competitive salary package positioned to attract top talent in the competitive biotech market
Generous 30.5 vacation days plus national holidays, exceeding European standards and supporting work-life balance
Comprehensive pension plan with employer contributing two-thirds of contributions, providing substantial retirement security
Flexible work-from-home policy enabling hybrid work arrangements in response to modern workplace expectations
International and multicultural work environment fostering global perspectives and cross-cultural collaboration
Professional growth opportunities within a fast-growing world-leading biotech company
Opportunity to make lasting impact on patient-centric research and drug discovery advancement

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex multi-departmental initiative portfolios that drive strategic organizational objectives and commercial targets
Own complete project lifecycle from conception to closure, serving as primary client contact for administrative and logistical coordination
Drive cross-functional collaboration between business development, finance, research, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure project excellence
Develop and implement project management best practices, guidelines, and procedures that enhance organizational efficiency and delivery capabilities
Prepare comprehensive monthly reports on scope, budget, and schedule performance for executive management decision-making
Generate monthly revenue recognition data aligned with study progress and milestone achievements to support financial planning
Collaborate with R&D and Business Development teams on scope changes while ensuring proper customer amendment processes
Support finance department in milestone-based invoicing and final project cost summaries to maintain cash flow and profitability
Respond to internal and external audit requests ensuring compliance and transparency in project delivery
Resolve customer issues regarding study costs and invoicing in partnership with finance department to maintain client relationships

Requirements

Education

Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in biotechnology, cell biology, immunology, oncology or other related disciplines preferred or equivalent work experience

Experience

3 to 5 years of project management experience and working with business stakeholders

Required Skills

Exceptional organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills Ability to work creatively as a team player in an environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence Build and maintain relationships by engaging business leaders to establish credibility and consensus to achieve objectives Self-motivated, decisive, with the ability to adapt to changes and competing demands Ability to deliver projects successfully on-time, on-schedule and within budget Experience leading, motivating and managing various projects team simultaneously, including internal and external resources, while nurturing accountability in the team Ability to work in pressure situations with hard deadlines and find solutions to meet timelines Working level of proficiency with project management tools such as Wrike, MS Projects, etc Proven ability to demonstrate a drive for results and accountability of business needs Proven ability to work in an ambiguous environment and collaborate across multiple areas in order to achieve a common business objective Demonstrate decisiveness in resolving business problems and making decisions Excellent analytical and communication skills, particularly writing skills Experience working in CRO and/or Biotech industry
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The organoid technology sector is experiencing unprecedented growth as pharmaceutical companies increasingly adopt patient-derived organoids for drug discovery, driven by the need for more predictive preclinical models that better represent human biology than traditional cell cultures or animal models. This shift is revolutionizing personalized medicine approaches and accelerating the drug development timeline. Contract Research Organizations (CROs) specializing in organoid technology are becoming critical partners for pharmaceutical companies seeking to outsource complex research activities, creating significant demand for project managers who can navigate both scientific complexity and commercial objectives in this emerging field. The integration of organoid technology with artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms is creating new opportunities for data-driven drug discovery, requiring project managers who can coordinate multidisciplinary teams across technology, biology, and data science domains.

Role Significance

Likely managing cross-functional teams of 8-15 members including scientists, business development professionals, quality assurance specialists, and regulatory affairs experts, while coordinating with multiple department heads and external client stakeholders.
Mid-to-senior level position with significant autonomy and direct reporting to PMO Manager, involving strategic decision-making authority over complex project portfolios and serving as primary client interface, indicating substantial trust and responsibility within the organization.

Key Projects

Multi-year drug discovery programs utilizing patient-derived organoids for pharmaceutical clients Regulatory submission support projects requiring coordination with FDA/EMA guidelines for novel organoid-based testing approaches Technology transfer projects enabling organoid platform implementation at client facilities Collaborative research initiatives with academic institutions and biotech companies exploring new therapeutic applications

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into business terms for client communication while maintaining technical accuracy and project feasibility Strong stakeholder management skills to balance competing priorities between scientific rigor, commercial timelines, and regulatory requirements in a rapidly evolving field Adaptability to navigate the ambiguity inherent in cutting-edge biotechnology where standard operating procedures are still being established and refined Financial acumen to manage complex project budgets involving milestone-based payments, scope changes, and revenue recognition in accordance with biotech industry standards

Market Demand

High demand driven by the rapid expansion of organoid-based drug discovery services and the limited pool of project managers with both biotech expertise and organoid technology experience, particularly within the Netherlands' growing life sciences cluster.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Project management expertise is absolutely essential given the complex, multi-stakeholder nature of organoid-based drug discovery projects that require coordination across scientific, regulatory, and commercial domains while managing strict timelines and budgets in a competitive market environment. Biotech/CRO industry experience is crucial for understanding the unique challenges of managing research projects with uncertain outcomes, regulatory compliance requirements, and the need to balance scientific rigor with commercial viability in a fast-moving technology sector. Stakeholder management and communication skills are vital for serving as the primary interface between clients and internal teams, requiring the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into business terms while maintaining relationships across diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of regulatory affairs and quality assurance processes would be valuable given the increasing scrutiny of organoid-based testing methods by regulatory agencies and the need to ensure compliance with evolving guidelines for novel biotechnology applications. Understanding of financial modeling and revenue recognition principles specific to milestone-based biotech projects would enhance effectiveness in budget management and client relationship maintenance. Familiarity with data management and digital platforms would be advantageous as organoid technology increasingly integrates with AI/ML approaches for drug discovery applications.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work at the forefront of organoid technology commercialization, a field that is fundamentally changing how drug discovery and personalized medicine are approached across the pharmaceutical industry
Direct involvement in projects that bridge cutting-edge academic research with practical pharmaceutical applications, requiring both scientific understanding and commercial acumen
Access to Merck KGaA's global network and resources while maintaining the agility and innovation focus of a specialized biotech organization
Chance to establish best practices and operational frameworks for an emerging technology sector where standard approaches are still being developed

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior project management roles within 2-3 years given the rapid growth of organoid technology market, with potential advancement to director-level positions within 4-6 years based on portfolio complexity and business impact achievements.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Project Manager or Program Manager overseeing larger portfolios and strategic initiatives within organoid technology sector PMO Manager or Director role leading project management teams across multiple therapeutic areas Business Development Manager leveraging project management experience to drive new client acquisition and partnership development Operations Manager or Director role overseeing end-to-end service delivery across research and development functions

Company Overview

HUB Organoids BV

HUB Organoids operates as a specialized subsidiary of Merck KGaA, positioning it uniquely in the organoid technology landscape with both entrepreneurial agility of a biotech startup and the financial stability and global reach of a major pharmaceutical corporation, enabling rapid scaling of operations and international market penetration.

World-leading position in organoid technology commercialization, leveraging Merck's extensive pharmaceutical network and regulatory expertise to accelerate adoption of 'patient in the lab' approaches across drug discovery pipelines globally.
Strategic location in Utrecht places the company at the heart of the Netherlands' life sciences ecosystem, benefiting from proximity to leading academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and supportive government policies for biotechnology innovation.
Fast-paced, innovation-driven environment characteristic of successful biotech companies, with emphasis on scientific excellence, commercial execution, and international collaboration, supported by Merck's resources and corporate governance standards.
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