Director of Project Management - Systems & Software

Control Associates•Allendale, NJ

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Control Associates is seeking an accomplished Director of Project Management to lead our PMO practice and oversee a multi-million dollar annual portfolio of industrial automation projects. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced PM executive who wants to build and develop a high-performing team while driving operational excellence for premier pharmaceutical, life sciences, and industrial clients. Control Associates has been at the forefront of industrial process automation as an Emerson partner serving pharmaceutical, life sciences, chemical processing, and other critical industries across the New York tri-state area. Our Systems & Software Services division delivers sophisticated DCS, PLC, MES, OT Infrastructure, and cGMP CSV Validation solutions to some of the region's most demanding clients. As we continue to grow, we're investing in PMO leadership that will elevate our project delivery capabilities to the next level. Reporting directly to the VP of Systems & Software Services, you'll lead a team of Project Managers and Project Controls professionals responsible for delivering complex industrial automation projects on time, within budget, and to exacting quality standards. You'll develop and implement PMO processes, drive consistency across project delivery, and serve as a senior client-facing leader who builds lasting relationships with key customer stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or IT (required)
PMP certification required
15+ years of total experience in Project Management, Technical SME, and/or Portfolio Management within engineering, manufacturing, IT, or construction industries
5+ years of direct experience managing Project Managers, including hiring, mentoring, and training
Proven track record of independently leading complex technical projects to successful completion
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (IFS preferred)
Proficiency with MS Project, MS Office 365 suite including Power BI, Advanced Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
Knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) systems and their usage within manufacturing environments
Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills for senior client-facing role
Deadline-driven mindset with strong budget consciousness across large project portfolios

Nice To Haves

Direct experience executing OT systems projects in pharmaceutical or industrial environments
Experience with cGMP CSV Validation projects
Background in pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing environments

Responsibilities

Oversee a team of Project Managers and Project Controls professionals managing a multi-million dollar annual project portfolio
Develop, implement, and train the PMO team on project management processes to ensure consistency and successful project execution
Manage onboarding plans, training materials, and ongoing development using Control Associates' learning management systems
Hire, mentor, and develop Project Managers to build a high-performing, cohesive team
Provide feedback and conduct lessons learned sessions to drive continuous improvement
Oversee industrial automation projects including DCS/PLC, MES, OT Infrastructure, Process Data, and cGMP CSV Validation deliverables
Ensure projects are properly set up and managed using IFS ERP and project scheduling tools
Ensure the PMO team manages scope, resources, budgets, and schedules to meet project deliverables and timelines
Visualize and manage project tasks, timelines, dependencies, resources, and deliverables through MS Project and customer-specific tools
Oversee monthly invoicing activities including estimating, tracking, and adjusting as needed
Ensure accurate monthly revenue recognition of project costs and revenue for senior leadership reporting
Attend project steering team meetings to build and maintain relationships with key customer stakeholders
Ensure effective communication of status updates with internal engineering teams, external partners, and customers
Partner with Services Managers and Account Managers to ensure seamless project handovers from sales to operations
Serve as a senior escalation point for complex project challenges and customer satisfaction issues
Effectively apply QMS/ISO 9000 processes and deploy Control Associates' project methodology and standards
Participate in ISO 9000 audits and present project materials to auditors to ensure compliance
Ensure adherence to cGMP requirements and pharmaceutical industry standards across relevant projects

Benefits

Competitive Compensation & Growth Potential
Base salary of $160,000-$210,000 plus performance bonus
Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits
Multiple medical plan options plus vision and dental coverage for you and your dependents
Flexible spending accounts
Health savings accounts
Commuter tax benefits
Company-paid long-term disability and life insurance
Work-Life Balance
Generous paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and sick leave
Standard business hours Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM
Secure Your Future
401(k) plan with company matching contributions
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Professional Development Opportunities for continued professional growth, leadership development, and direct partnership with senior leadership to shape the future of our PMO practice.