Associate Project Leader

Roche

About The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. The Opportunity: This role serves as the Associate Project Leader within cross-functional global teams and is a core member of the Life Cycle Team (LCT), responsible for guiding projects from initiation through Launch Decision. The candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring alignment with LCT objectives while balancing time, cost, risk, and technical, regulatory, and business considerations. The role will partner closely with Product Management to drive product lifecycle execution, including new product development and updates of medium business impact with varying levels of technical and regulatory complexity. Responsibilities include defining development pathways, enabling early-stage planning, and ensuring effective cross-functional collaboration and communication throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, the Project Leader is accountable for delivering projects on time, within scope, and on budget, while monitoring team performance and supporting team member development. The role also contributes to continuous improvement by implementing best practices, driving process enhancements, and supporting change management initiatives across the LCT to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or a related field required; advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred.
Minimum of 9 years of relevant work experience, with advanced degrees potentially counting toward up to 3 years of this requirement.
At least 4 years of experience in the medical diagnostics industry.
Proven experience leading cross-functional, globally distributed teams within a matrix organization.
Demonstrated track record managing complex projects through product launch, including milestone-driven delivery in regulated environments.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and confidently challenge senior management on budget, data, and resource decisions.
Experience working with external partners and managing collaborations in co-development or partnership settings.
Ability to manage competing priorities, resolve conflicts, and adapt effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
Solid understanding of diagnostic development processes, including Design Control principles (preferred).
Knowledge of industry trends, customer needs, and the competitive and technology landscape within diagnostics (CDx or related experience preferred).

Responsibilities

Lead and, where applicable, manage direct reports (e.g., Associate Project Leaders) to ensure successful execution of product development strategies aligned with LCT objectives.
Provide end-to-end leadership of global project teams from project initiation through Launch Decision, setting clear direction and priorities.
Build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams by ensuring the right expertise, alignment, accountability, and collaboration across all functions.
Establish and drive project goals, timelines, and best practices, fostering a culture of urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Motivate and inspire team members while cultivating a transparent, trust-based, and collaborative team environment.
Guide the development of strategic options, including alternative pathways, through structured evaluation of cost, timeline, risk, and benefits.
Facilitate constructive debate and decision-making among cross-functional experts to ensure well-informed, data-driven project outcomes.
Oversee integrated project planning, including early-stage development strategy and transition planning across the product lifecycle.
Manage stakeholder communications, including providing regular updates on project status, risks, and strategic options to LCT, LCL, and collaborators.
Own project execution across scope, budget, and timelines, while coordinating resources, managing risks, resolving conflicts, and supporting process improvement and, where applicable, co-development and CDx partnership initiatives.