
Project Manager, Construction
Abbott Laboratories
Summary
We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead large-scale, complex global engineering and operational initiatives that are critical to achieving strategic business objectives. In this highly visible role, you will provide leadership across cross-functional teams, drive project execution from concept through implementation, and influence senior stakeholders while ensuring projects are delivered on scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives. This role requires approximately 50% travel to support global project execution and stakeholder engagement.
Job description
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead large-scale, complex global engineering and operational initiatives that are critical to achieving strategic business objectives. In this highly visible role, you will provide leadership across cross-functional teams, drive project execution from concept through implementation, and influence senior stakeholders while ensuring projects are delivered on scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives. This role requires approximately 50% travel to support global project execution and stakeholder engagement.
What You'll Work On
- Lead multiple large-scale, global projects and programs that support key business and operational strategies.
- Provide end-to-end project leadership, including planning, execution, risk management, budgeting, and stakeholder communications.
- Partner with cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, procurement, finance, and business leadership.
- Develop project scopes, schedules, resource plans, capital forecasts, and key performance metrics.
- Drive project teams to effectively utilize project management tools and methodologies, including scope control, financial forecasting, and risk management processes.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks through proactive planning and execution of contingency strategies.
- Manage internal and external resources, consultants, contractors, and vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives and collaborate with procurement teams on vendor selection and contract negotiations.
- Present project updates, recommendations, and business cases to executive leadership and secure stakeholder alignment.
- Establish and advance project management best practices, standards, and governance processes across the organization.
- Evaluate project portfolios and help prioritize investments aligned with business objectives and customer needs.
- Ensure compliance with quality, environmental, health and safety, regulatory, and corporate engineering standards.
- Mentor project managers and cross-functional team members while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Travel up to 50% domestically and internationally to support project execution, site leadership engagement, and business priorities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations, Project Management, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of progressive project or program management experience leading large, complex, cross-functional initiatives.
- Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar capital projects or global business programs from initiation through completion.
- Experience leading diverse, matrixed teams across multiple functions, business units, and geographic regions.
- Strong expertise in project planning, budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, risk management, and portfolio management.
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and effectively communicate with executive-level stakeholders.
- Experience managing external vendors, contractors, and strategic partners.
- Strong financial acumen, including capital planning, project accounting, and budget management.
- Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or other relevant graduate degree).
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management credential.
- Experience within medical devices, healthcare, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, life sciences, or other regulated industries.
- Knowledge of capital project delivery, facility expansions, manufacturing infrastructure, or large-scale operational transformation programs.
- Experience developing and implementing enterprise project management methodologies and governance frameworks.
- Demonstrated success leading global teams and initiatives across multiple regions.
- Strong understanding of procurement, contracting, supplier management, and strategic sourcing processes.
- Experience with project portfolio management, capital expenditure planning, and business case development.
- Proven track record of mentoring project managers and developing organizational project management capabilities.
- Experience presenting strategic recommendations and investment proposals to executive leadership teams.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations, Project Management, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 10+ years of progressive project or program management experience leading large, complex, cross-functional initiatives
- Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar capital projects or global business programs from initiation through completion
- Experience leading diverse, matrixed teams across multiple functions, business units, and geographic regions
- Strong expertise in project planning, budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, risk management, and portfolio management
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and effectively communicate with executive-level stakeholders
- Experience managing external vendors, contractors, and strategic partners
- Strong financial acumen, including capital planning, project accounting, and budget management
- Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student debt program
- Education benefit
Company overview
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare technology leader founded in 1888 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. As an international medtech and pharmaceutical company, Abbott operates in approximately 160 countries worldwide with a workforce of over 115,000 employees. The company is organized into four major business segments: Medical Devices (48% of revenue), Diagnostics (20%), Nutritional Products (19%), and Established Pharmaceutical Products (12%). Abbott's medical devices portfolio includes revolutionary technologies such as the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system for diabetes management, cardiovascular devices like the MitraClip and TriClip for heart valve repair, and neuromodulation systems for chronic pain management. The company's diagnostics division pioneered breakthrough tests including the first licensed HIV blood test in 1985. With a rich history spanning over 135 years, Abbott has consistently been recognized as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies since 1984 and continues to drive innovation in healthcare technology to help people live healthier, fuller lives.