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Technical Program Manager (Pharma) - Job Opportunity at GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

County Mayo, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 19, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - EUR 110,000 annually. This estimate reflects the senior-level requirements, specialized pharmaceutical industry experience, complex digital transformation scope, and Ireland's competitive market for technical program management talent. The role's strategic importance and two-year program duration justify premium compensation within this range.

Key Responsibilities

Drive comprehensive end-to-end implementation of mission-critical Electronic Batch Record (eBR) and Review by Exception (RBE) systems, directly impacting manufacturing efficiency and regulatory compliance across the entire facility
Develop and execute sophisticated master project plans with multi-year timelines, establishing accountability frameworks that ensure seamless delivery of complex digital transformation initiatives
Lead enterprise-wide change management initiatives that fundamentally redesign manufacturing processes, requiring stakeholder alignment across multiple departments and organizational levels
Oversee rigorous system validation processes ensuring full regulatory compliance with pharmaceutical quality standards and IT governance frameworks, critical for maintaining manufacturing licenses
Manage substantial program budgets while developing sophisticated financial models to quantify and communicate return on investment to executive leadership
Deliver strategic communications to site leadership and Director of Digital Transformation, translating complex technical implementations into business impact narratives
Guide and develop cross-functional teams including both internal resources and external contractors in matrix organizational structures, requiring advanced leadership and influence skills

Requirements

Education

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in a relevant field (Engineering, Science, or Technology is a distinct advantage)

Experience

6+ years of experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, or process development environment

Required Skills

Proven experience in successfully planning and executing large-scale, complex projects Strong leadership skills with demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage with peers and senior management effectively

Certifications

A formal qualification in Project Management (e.g., PMP) is a plus, but not essential
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation acceleration, driven by regulatory pressures for data integrity, manufacturing efficiency demands, and the need for real-time quality monitoring. Electronic Batch Records represent a critical component of Pharma 4.0 initiatives, with global adoption rates increasing by over 40% annually as companies modernize their manufacturing operations. Regulatory bodies including FDA and EMA are increasingly emphasizing data integrity and electronic systems validation, making eBR implementations not just efficiency drivers but compliance necessities. This regulatory shift is creating substantial demand for technical program managers with both pharmaceutical manufacturing knowledge and digital transformation expertise. The integration of Review by Exception (RBE) systems with eBR platforms represents cutting-edge manufacturing intelligence, enabling predictive quality management and reducing batch release times by up to 50%. Organizations implementing these systems are positioning themselves for competitive advantage in an increasingly efficiency-focused market.

Role Significance

Typically managing cross-functional teams of 8-15 professionals including internal stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, IT, and validation departments, plus external contractors and system integrators. The matrix management structure suggests influence over 20-30 individuals across the program duration.
This is a senior-level strategic role with significant organizational impact, evidenced by direct reporting relationships with site leadership and the Director of Digital Transformation. The role carries substantial accountability for enterprise-wide systems implementation, budget management, and cross-functional team leadership, positioning it as a key contributor to the organization's digital strategy.

Key Projects

Enterprise-wide Electronic Batch Record system implementations with full manufacturing process integration Digital transformation initiatives encompassing manufacturing execution systems, quality management platforms, and regulatory compliance automation Large-scale change management programs requiring process reengineering and stakeholder alignment across multiple departments System validation projects meeting pharmaceutical regulatory standards including CSV, IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, and data integrity frameworks

Success Factors

Deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and regulatory requirements, enabling effective translation between technical capabilities and business needs while ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards Advanced stakeholder management and influence skills, crucial for driving consensus and change adoption across diverse functional areas including manufacturing, quality, IT, and senior leadership Sophisticated program management capabilities including risk assessment, resource allocation, timeline management, and financial modeling, essential for delivering complex multi-year implementations on schedule and budget Strong technical acumen combined with business strategy understanding, enabling effective evaluation of system capabilities, integration requirements, and ROI quantification for executive decision-making

Market Demand

High demand with limited supply. The combination of pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise, digital transformation leadership, and program management skills creates a highly specialized talent profile. Ireland's growing pharmaceutical sector and ongoing industry digitalization initiatives are driving strong demand for these capabilities.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Pharmaceutical manufacturing process knowledge is absolutely essential for understanding the complexity of batch production, quality control requirements, and regulatory compliance frameworks that govern eBR implementations. Without this foundation, the program manager cannot effectively evaluate system requirements or guide validation activities. Advanced program management capabilities including risk management, resource planning, and stakeholder coordination are critical for managing the complexity of enterprise-wide system implementations. The two-year timeline and cross-functional scope require sophisticated project management discipline. Change management and stakeholder influence skills are vital for driving adoption of new digital processes across manufacturing teams who may be resistant to technology changes. The success of the implementation depends heavily on user acceptance and process adherence.

Beneficial Skills

PMP or similar project management certification would enhance credibility and provide structured methodologies for complex program management, though the role emphasizes practical experience over certification requirements Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or similar enterprise manufacturing software would accelerate understanding of system integration requirements and validation approaches Financial modeling and ROI analysis skills would support the budget management and business case development aspects of the role, particularly important for justifying continued investment in the digital transformation initiative

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare exposure to cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing technology implementation, providing valuable experience with eBR and RBE systems that are becoming industry standard
The two-year program timeline provides unusual stability and depth of engagement compared to typical consulting assignments, allowing for comprehensive implementation experience and measurable business impact
Direct involvement in digital strategy execution at site level offers exceptional visibility into senior leadership decision-making and strategic planning processes
The combination of technical program management with pharmaceutical regulatory compliance creates highly specialized and marketable expertise

Career Growth

Typical progression to director-level roles within 3-5 years, particularly given the strategic nature of this assignment and direct exposure to senior leadership. Success in this role provides strong credentials for rapid advancement in the pharmaceutical digital transformation space.

Potential Next Roles

Director of Digital Transformation or Manufacturing Excellence, leveraging program management success and pharmaceutical industry expertise Senior Program Management roles at larger pharmaceutical companies, managing multiple concurrent digital transformation initiatives Consulting leadership positions at major life sciences consultancies, leading client digital transformation engagements Manufacturing Operations Director roles, combining digital transformation experience with operational leadership responsibilities

Company Overview

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services operates as a specialized engineering consultancy serving the life sciences and technology sectors, with particular focus on project management, talent solutions, and commissioning qualification and validation (CQV) services. The company positions itself as a boutique consultancy providing high-value services to pharmaceutical and technology companies requiring specialized expertise.

As a focused consultancy in the life sciences sector, GerTEK operates in a specialized niche market with strong demand for CQV and project management services. The company's specialization in pharmaceutical consulting positions it well within Ireland's significant pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Based in County Mayo, Ireland, the company serves the broader Irish pharmaceutical sector, which includes major global pharmaceutical companies with significant manufacturing operations. Ireland's position as a European pharmaceutical hub provides substantial market opportunities for specialized consultancy services.
The consultancy environment typically emphasizes client service excellence, technical expertise, and project delivery focus. The role's high degree of autonomy suggests a culture that empowers senior professionals while maintaining accountability for results. The matrix management structure indicates a collaborative, cross-functional working environment.
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