Director, Engineering - Capital Projects

MSD•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Engineers support internal and external manufacturing operations remain operational, continuously improve and innovate. With our extensive range of facilities and environments, our Engineers have opportunities across many diverse areas including Biological, Chemical, Automation, Capital Projects, Maintenance, Safety, Process Development, Technical Services, Utilities and Validation. Our Global Engineering Solutions (GES) team executes a wide variety of capital and expense projects to ensure that our company has the capabilities and facilities to meet our goal to provide World Class Supply of Medicines. The Global Engineering Services (GES) group is seeking a Project Delivery Director of Engineering to manage an individual large capital project (>$250M) or a portfolio of projects of similar value related to manufacturing, research and facilities/utility infrastructure. Furthermore, the Director will develop, coach and retain a high-performance project delivery organization that promotes employee development, leadership, learning, continuous improvement, and delivers customer value with a zero-harm safety culture. Primary activities include, but are not limited to: 1. Project leadership and team management Lead integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget. Forecast and allocate internal and external resources to meet project workload. Manage, mentor and provide ongoing feedback to direct reports including mid-year and annual reviews. Develop close working relationships with Plant Managers, key staff, and stakeholders to align projects with business objectives and optimize value. 2. Project planning and execution Approve and lead development of project execution plans and schedules that meet customer needs and reflect project risks. Verify scopes provide least-cost, fit-for-purpose business solutions. Manage project processes through effective design, execution strategies, and construction management oversight. Implement and approve procurement strategies, contract administration, and project close-out activities. 3. Cost, schedule and performance control Understand, set, and manage project cost budgeting, forecasting and control including approving spending forecasts using Target Value Delivery and Earned Value where applicable. Manage schedule development and control to meet milestones and delivery targets. Use lean construction, quality, safety, cost and delivery techniques to drive project performance and mentor project managers in these methods. 4. Risk, change and governance Identify and rank project and process risks; develop and implement mitigation plans. Implement change management and control processes. Lead Tier Governance and key partner relationship management meetings. 5. Safety and incident management Act as a visible safety leader through project safety walks and peer safety reviews, promoting a zero-harm culture. Approve construction and process safety incident investigations, challenge root causes, and confirm effective corrective and preventive actions. 6. Commissioning, qualification and close-out Manage and/or implement commissioning, qualification, and project close-out activities to ensure readiness for operation and contractual completion. 7. Communications and reporting Manage project communications requirements, providing effective reporting and distribution of information to stakeholders. The Director of Engineering will strive to develop good relationships with cross-functional areas consisting of all aspects of the business including Operations, Quality, Technology, Maintenance, and Safety. This position and initial assignment is located in West Point, PA. In the future, this position will also support projects in Rahway, NJ and Wilmington, DE and may require travel to support other projects in the U.S. and may require the candidate to be available to travel 50% of their time in order to support projects within the America's and internationally at the various plant sites.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
Minimum of 10 years’ experience executing and delivering a variety of capital and operating (expense) projects.
Experience managing integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget.
Strong cost, schedule and risk management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and controls.
Proven ability to develop and execute project plans, manage change, and align teams to achieve objectives.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; able to deliver concise, organized project status and funding updates to stakeholders.
Outstanding decision‑making, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration skills; able to work effectively with business partners and cross‑functional teams.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%, including international travel where required.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 15 years’ experience executing/delivering capital and/or operating projects (include only where the role requires a higher seniority threshold).
At least 5 years leading large cross‑functional projects or portfolios (recommended threshold: projects > $50M total installed cost) with proven project management excellence across multiple assignments.
Demonstrated experience in contracting, procurement strategy, and contract administration.
Experience managing commissioning, qualification, and project close‑out activities.
Proven leadership in safety culture, including experience conducting or approving incident investigations and implementing corrective/preventive actions.
Experience mentoring project managers and leading governance or cross‑functional alignment meetings.
Experience with Lean Project Delivery methodologies (for example: Target Value Design/Delivery, off‑site fabrication/modular construction, pull‑planning and related scheduling tools).
Demonstrated experience driving organizational improvement using a continuous‑improvement mindset.
Knowledge of engineering best practices and current industry trends.
Demonstrated expertise in stage‑gate capital management processes.
Experience or knowledge of pharmaceutical product development labs, manufacturing facilities, plant operations, and maintenance.
Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining high‑performing technical teams, including people management, development, and mentoring.
Proven ability to interface effectively with all levels of the organization and to influence stakeholders.
Demonstrated capability to recognize excellent performance and address poor performance constructively.

Responsibilities

Project leadership and team management Lead integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget.
Forecast and allocate internal and external resources to meet project workload.
Manage, mentor and provide ongoing feedback to direct reports including mid-year and annual reviews.
Develop close working relationships with Plant Managers, key staff, and stakeholders to align projects with business objectives and optimize value.
Project planning and execution Approve and lead development of project execution plans and schedules that meet customer needs and reflect project risks.
Verify scopes provide least-cost, fit-for-purpose business solutions.
Manage project processes through effective design, execution strategies, and construction management oversight.
Implement and approve procurement strategies, contract administration, and project close-out activities.
Cost, schedule and performance control Understand, set, and manage project cost budgeting, forecasting and control including approving spending forecasts using Target Value Delivery and Earned Value where applicable.
Manage schedule development and control to meet milestones and delivery targets.
Use lean construction, quality, safety, cost and delivery techniques to drive project performance and mentor project managers in these methods.
Risk, change and governance Identify and rank project and process risks; develop and implement mitigation plans.
Implement change management and control processes.
Lead Tier Governance and key partner relationship management meetings.
Safety and incident management Act as a visible safety leader through project safety walks and peer safety reviews, promoting a zero-harm culture.
Approve construction and process safety incident investigations, challenge root causes, and confirm effective corrective and preventive actions.
Commissioning, qualification and close-out Manage and/or implement commissioning, qualification, and project close-out activities to ensure readiness for operation and contractual completion.
Communications and reporting Manage project communications requirements, providing effective reporting and distribution of information to stakeholders.