Associate Director, R&D Project Management (Global Project Manager)
SERVIER MONDE
Summary
The Associate Director, R&D Project Management / Global Project Manager acts as a strategic and operational partner to the Asset Leader / Project Leader and to the cross-functional Core Team. The role is accountable for translating asset strategy into an integrated, executable Global Plan and for driving delivery against timelines, budget, quality, value and key project milestones. The position plays a critical role in ensuring cross-functional alignment, proactive risk and scenario management, governance readiness, budget and resource planning, and reliable project reporting. The Global Project Manager is expected to bring a business-partner mindset, strong operational discipline and the ability to influence without authority in a global matrix environment.
Job description
Role Summary
The Associate Director, R&D Project Management / Global Project Manager acts as a strategic and operational partner to the Asset Leader / Project Leader and to the cross-functional Core Team. The role is accountable for translating asset strategy into an integrated, executable Global Plan and for driving delivery against timelines, budget, quality, value and key project milestones. The position plays a critical role in ensuring cross-functional alignment, proactive risk and scenario management, governance readiness, budget and resource planning, and reliable project reporting. The Global Project Manager is expected to bring a business-partner mindset, strong operational discipline and the ability to influence without authority in a global matrix environment.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic and operational project leadership
- Partner closely with the Asset Leader to translate asset strategy into an integrated Global Plan covering scope, timelines, budget, quality, value creation, key interdependencies and critical path activities.
- Drive execution of the Global Development Plan at Core Team / Global Team level, ensuring timely delivery of project objectives, milestones and governance commitments.
- Connect daily execution to project strategy by providing context, structure and decision-oriented support to Core Team / Global Team members and key stakeholders.
- Lead scenario planning and trade-off analysis when project objectives are at risk, supporting mitigation of impacts on timelines, budget, quality, value and resource allocation.
Cross-functional alignment and governance
- Coordinate Core Team / Global Team meetings, including agenda preparation, facilitation, documentation of key decisions, action tracking and follow-up.
- Support preparation of high-quality governance materials, pre-reads and executive-level presentations by integrating inputs from functional leads and ensuring a clear decision rationale.
- Support stage-gate and investment decision preparation, ensuring that options, risks, assumptions, budget impacts and recommendations are clearly articulated.
- Contribute to effective team dynamics, project-centric behaviors and cross-functional collaboration across R&D and, when relevant, beyond R&D.
Budget, resources, risks and reporting
- Consolidate budget estimates, support forecasting and monitor external costs and FTE assumptions by partnering with functional leads, Finance / Budget Controlling and relevant stakeholders.
- Proactively identify, assess and manage project risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies; ensure mitigation plans are defined, tracked and escalated as needed.
- Ensure the quality, consistency and reliability of project data in reporting systems and dashboards, including timelines, budget, risks, milestones and progress updates.
- Coordinate accurate project updates and progress reports to ensure timely information flow to management, governance bodies and other key stakeholders.
- Support planning and cross-functional coordination for major regulatory and development milestones, including submissions or key health authority interactions when relevant to the project scope.
Partnerships and Project Management excellence
- When applicable, collaborate with Alliance Management, Business Development & Licensing and external partners to integrate partner perspectives, contractual milestones, cost-sharing requirements and joint governance expectations into the Global Plan.
- Serve as an ambassador for standardized project management frameworks, tools, templates and best practices, including risk management, communication planning, stage-gate preparation and budget tracking.
- Capture lessons learned at the end of phases or projects and contribute as a subject-matter expert to transversal initiatives that improve project management excellence.
Requirements
- Master’s degree, PharmD or PhD in life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, medical sciences, biotechnology or a related field
- Typically 8+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical / biotech project or program management
- Experience in global, cross-functional drug development programs
- Project management certification such as PMP, PMI or equivalent is desirable
- Strong knowledge of drug development across several stages
- Proven ability to manage integrated project plans, critical path activities, interdependencies, risks, issues, assumptions, decision points and milestones
- Solid financial acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, resource assumptions, external cost tracking and variance analysis
- Experience with governance preparation, executive-level reporting, stage-gate processes and decision-oriented materials
- Strong command of modern project management and reporting tools such as Microsoft 365, MS Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, Timeline Pro or equivalent systems
- Fluent English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to influence without authority in a complex global matrix environment
- Strong strategic thinking, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated stakeholder management, change management and performance management capabilities
- Ability to drive alignment, accountability and constructive team dynamics across functions and geographies
- Business-partner mindset, ownership, proactivity and strong sense of accountability
- Collaborative mindset, sound judgment, resilience and ability to operate effectively in ambiguity
- Clear, concise and impactful communication tailored to scientific, operational and executive audiences
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Flexible Time Off
- Unlimited Sick Time
- 401(k)
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Recognition Programs
- Short-Term Incentive
- Long-Term Incentive
Company overview
Servier, officially known as Laboratoires Servier, is a leading international pharmaceutical company founded in 1954 and headquartered in Suresnes, France. As the second largest French pharmaceutical group and the leading independent French pharmaceutical company, Servier operates in close to 140 countries worldwide, with 82% of its sales generated outside France. The company specializes in three main therapeutic areas: oncology, cardiometabolism & venous diseases, and neurology, with a particular focus on becoming a significant player in oncology, especially for rare cancers. Servier is governed by a unique non-profit foundation model that preserves its independence and allows for long-term strategic vision. The company invests approximately 20% of its brand-name medicine revenue into research and development annually, employing over 22,000 people globally, including 3,000 dedicated to R&D. With revenue of €5.9 billion in 2023/2024, Servier maintains 13 production sites and 6 research centers worldwide, producing 95.8% of active ingredients for its brand-name medicines in France. The company has established itself as a world leader in cardiology and hypertension treatments while expanding its oncology portfolio through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.