Deputy Project Management Lead

KBR•Newark, DE

About The Position

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) is seeking an experienced Deputy Project Management Lead to support the Project Management Lead with day-to-day program execution and serve as the primary integrator across PMC workstreams. The role coordinates activities among engineering, project controls, procurement, construction, CQV, and permitting teams. With delegated authority from the Project Management Lead, the Deputy PM Lead coordinates execution, enforces governance requirements, resolves cross-functional issues, and escalates risks affecting cost, schedule, quality, safety, or operational readiness. The position also provides continuity of leadership and acts on behalf of the Project Management Lead when required. The Deputy Project Management Lead supports project delivery across its lifecycle, integrating multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to achieve project objectives. The role oversees interfaces, monitors performance and project risks, supports commercial and contract administration, and coordinates commissioning, qualification, regulatory readiness, startup, and facility handover. It ensures applicable governance, quality, contractual, and regulatory requirements are reflected in execution and reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, project management, architecture, engineering management, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 15 years of project or program management experience, including leadership of large capital projects in excess of $500,000 TIC.
Minimum 10 years of project or program experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, vaccine, sterile manufacturing, API, or advanced therapy facilities.
Experience successfully managing large multidisciplinary teams and contractors.
Strong knowledge of communications, governance, design management, and project delivery processes.
Demonstrated ability to support executive decision-making and manage stakeholder alignment.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other GMP-regulated facilities.
Prior experience in an Owner’s Representative or PMC role for major capital projects in excess of $1B TIC.
Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or PMP certification.
Experience supporting multidisciplinary, multi-party integrated teams located in multiple locations simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Assist the Project Manager in leading all phases of project delivery to achieve scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
Coordinate and oversee multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and commercial personnel.
Monitor schedules, critical path activities, milestones, and performance metrics; identify potential delays and implement corrective actions.
Manage day-to-day interfaces with clients, contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities, facilitating communication and issue resolution.
Lead project risk management, including risk and opportunity identification, assessment, mitigation planning, and tracking.
Support contract administration and commercial management, including change management, variation reviews, claims assessment, cost control, and budget monitoring.
Coordinate execution activities supporting commissioning, qualification, regulatory readiness, operational readiness, startup, and facility handover.
Integrate GMP, validation, licensure, inspection, and operational readiness milestones into project execution planning and reporting.
Establish and oversee interface management processes among contractors, suppliers, client organizations, regulatory bodies, and operational teams.
Monitor contractor performance against approved scope, schedule, quality, safety, and staffing commitments.
Prepare and present project status reports, dashboards, forecasts, and executive summaries to project leadership and client stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with project governance, company procedures, quality management systems, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory standards.
Drive interface management and cross-functional coordination among project stakeholders, contractors, vendors, and operational teams to support project execution and milestone achievement.
Monitor performance and ensure consistent implementation of project objectives and governance requirements.
Coordinate activities among interface management, the project management office, readiness and operations, commercial, and governance leads.
Coordinate project execution leadership with engineering, project controls, procurement, construction, health and safety, CQV, validation and compliance, automation, and permit and communication workstreams.
Provide continuity of leadership and act on behalf of the Project Management Lead when required.