Principal Portfolio Project Manager

Avantor•USA-MA Remote, VT

3d•$122,000 - $196,075

About The Position

Avantor is seeking a Principal Portfolio Project Manager to lead a portfolio of complex global programs and capital investments within its Life Sciences business. The role combines portfolio management with hands-on project execution, ensuring strategic initiatives are prioritized, funded, governed, and delivered in alignment with business objectives. The position oversees concurrent CAPEX and business transformation initiatives across functions including manufacturing, engineering, operations, EHS, PSM, IT, real estate, supply chain, and commercial. Projects may reach $100 million in scale and involve teams and partners across a matrixed global organization. The successful candidate manages portfolio priorities, resource allocation, capital planning, risks, dependencies, and governance while leading programs from concept through commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational handover. The role develops and presents business cases, project charters, gate reviews, executive dashboards, investment recommendations, and benefit-realization measures. It requires close collaboration with senior leaders, cross-functional teams, contractors, suppliers, engineering firms, consultants, regulators, and municipalities, as well as strong financial, schedule, stakeholder, and change-management leadership. The role operates with significant autonomy and serves as a subject matter expert in portfolio management, capital program execution, project governance, and PMO practices. It also contributes to continuous improvement of methodologies and governance frameworks and provides coaching and mentoring across the PMO organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or a related discipline.
At least 12 years of progressive project, program, and portfolio management experience, including leadership of global CAPEX projects and strategic business initiatives.
Demonstrated success managing large-scale capital projects and cross-functional business programs.
PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), or willingness to obtain it within a defined timeframe.
Extensive knowledge of project management principles and lifecycle methodologies.
Proven ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk across global programs, with a record of delivering large-scale, multi-site CAPEX initiatives.
Strong understanding of portfolio governance, prioritization, capital planning, resource optimization, business strategy, operations, financial planning, and organizational goals.
Ability to translate complex business challenges into executable solutions and evaluate long-term implications of investment decisions.
Ability to lead multiple projects and programs simultaneously and influence leaders and teams without direct authority.
Exceptional verbal and written communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, including the ability to communicate with executives, business leaders, and technical teams.
Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills and experience developing partnerships with diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Project Management, or a related discipline.
Experience in Life Sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, specialty chemicals, or similarly regulated industries.
Proven experience managing portfolios of strategic initiatives and capital investments, providing executive portfolio reporting, and facilitating investment decisions.
Experience working with contractors, vendors, engineering firms, regulators, and municipalities.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives and capital investments across Engineering, Operations, EHS, PSM, Real Estate, IT, Supply Chain, and Commercial.
Evaluate, prioritize, and balance investments based on strategic alignment, value, risk, resource availability, and organizational capacity.
Partner with business leaders to develop and maintain multi-year portfolio roadmaps and facilitate governance reviews, investment decisions, funding approvals, and executive prioritization.
Identify portfolio-level risks, dependencies, constraints, and opportunities, and develop executive dashboards and reporting on capital deployment, resources, performance, and outcomes.
Lead concurrent global programs and CAPEX projects from concept through commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational handover.
Manage projects involving process equipment, assembly systems, manufacturing technologies, automation, and facility infrastructure, including expansions, installations, process improvements, and efficiency initiatives.
Drive projects through the stage-gate process; prepare and present business cases, charters, gate reviews, and investment recommendations to senior leadership.
Control project and portfolio budgets, forecasts, schedules, risks, capital plans, cash flow, and benefit realization; develop integrated schedules and address threats to cost and timing.
Develop and maintain business cases, investment justifications, KPIs, and benefit targets; track actual performance against commitments and ensure expected outcomes are delivered.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and manage relationships with contractors, suppliers, engineering firms, consultants, regulatory agencies, and municipalities.
Support procurement, vendor selection, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management.
Lead and influence project teams across regions and functions; foster accountability and collaboration and mentor project managers and team members.
Communicate portfolio, program, and project performance to executives through clear, data-driven reporting and presentations; recommend investment priorities, resource allocation, and execution strategies.
Drive stakeholder engagement, communication planning, organizational readiness, adoption, and transition to new processes, systems, and facility capabilities.
Contribute to continuous improvement of project management methodologies, stage-gate processes, governance frameworks, and portfolio management practices; provide coaching and informal training across the PMO.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Wellness programs
Health savings account
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with company match
Employee stock purchase program
11 paid holidays
18 accrued PTO days annually
Volunteer time off
Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave, except in states that offer paid family leave