Director of Project Management

AST•Tacoma, WA

23d•$170,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexible aseptic manufacturing processes for the worldwide Life Science Industry by offering innovative products, services, and solutions. Do you want to contribute to a shared vision and mission? Would you like to bring your unique talents to have a significant impact at a growing company? At AST we strive to build a workplace that enables every team member to meet and exceed their capabilities. We set our expectations high and provide the environment and resources necessary to bring out the very best. AST is proud of our team. Providing challenging and rewarding work, with opportunities for personal/professional development is our key to this longevity. AST is an equal opportunity employer. Compensation range for onsite WA applicants is $170,000 to $200,000 annually. All applicants are welcome to apply. Employee benefits include: Medical (HSA & PPO), Dental, Vision, Long/Short term disability, HSA account with employer contribution, 401(K) (Traditional & Roth options) with up to 5% company match, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holiday, and bonus potential. What Will I Be Doing? The Director of Project Management is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of all projects across the organization. This position ensures that projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. A key responsibility includes leading the Project Controls team, including scheduling, cost management, risk management, and reporting—to ensure robust governance and control mechanisms are in place. The Director will lead a team of project managers, coordinators, and project controls professionals, provide guidance, mentorship, and performance management, while also partner closely with Executives, Engineering, Assembly, & Procurement to align project execution with strategic goals.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
PMP or similar project management certification strongly preferred.
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Proven experience in managing project controls teams and functions.
Strong background in cost control, scheduling, and risk management.
Experience in engineering, manufacturing, or large capital projects preferred.
Skills: Exceptional leadership, team-building, and mentoring skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in project management and controls software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, Deltek, Oracle, or similar).
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Must be willing to take and successfully pass a drug test.

Responsibilities

Project Oversight: Oversee the successful execution of projects from initiation through close-out. Monitor project performance, identifying and resolving issues to ensure successful delivery. Support the development and continuous improvement of project governance frameworks.
Project Controls Management Lead the Project Controls team, ensuring robust cost, schedule, and risk controls are in place. Oversee development and maintenance of project schedules (Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.). Manage the cost control process, including budgeting, forecasting, earned value analysis, and variance reporting. Ensure risk management practices are consistently applied across all projects. Review and approve project performance reports, dashboards, and KPIs.
Leadership & Strategy: Develop and implement project management strategies, methodologies, and best practices across the organization. Lead and mentor a team of Project Managers and Project Controls professionals. Partner with senior leadership to prioritize and align project portfolios with business objectives.
People Management: Recruit, train, and develop project management and project controls staff. Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance evaluations. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Engagement. Serve as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders regarding project performance. Facilitate effective communication across internal teams, clients, and vendors. Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and reports on project status and performance. Occasional travel may be required to project sites or client meetings.