Senior Pharmaceutical Project Manager

Johnson Controls • Indianapolis, IN

1d • $130,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The Senior Pharmaceutical Project Manager is the senior project leader for validated-environment and laboratory construction programs, such as cleanrooms, biosafety cabinets, containment suites, biocontainment laboratories, and related utilities, across a campus or multi-site portfolio. Reporting to the Project Executive, the role partners strategically with Engineering, QA/Validation, Delivery, sponsors, and regional leadership to lead complex, high-value projects within a validated-state framework. It carries elevated accountability for program-level compliance, financial performance, risk management, and mentorship of junior project staff.

The position leads projects from planning through closure, establishes and manages scope, schedule, budget, validation strategies, documentation, and risk controls, and ensures regulatory readiness and validated-state requirements are met. It also manages stakeholder and vendor relationships, project financial performance, reporting, contract administration, audits, and continuous improvement, while mentoring project managers and other team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction, Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, Architecture, or a related field.
• 10–15+ years of direct project management experience on large capital projects, including significant experience in regulated or validated settings; typical project sizes are $20–$50M+, with portfolio- or program-level responsibility expected.
• Demonstrated success independently delivering complex, multi-site programs in validated environments (GMP/GLP/ISO 17025) in laboratories, biopharma, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, healthcare, or related sectors.
• Strong command of contract language, project accounting, and portfolio/program management principles as applied to validated environments.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, including presenting to senior leadership and executive sponsors and navigating complex organizational dynamics.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in regulated contexts, including mentoring and developing junior project managers.
• Advanced proficiency with project management tools such as Primavera P6 and MS Project, reporting platforms, and MS Office; ability to create executive-level dashboards and presentations.
• Deep working knowledge of validation concepts, commissioning/qualification processes, data integrity best practices, and regulatory expectations for validated facilities.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic relationships with stakeholders, sponsors, and subcontractors in validated environments.
• Willingness to travel and work across multiple sites as needed, while managing competing program priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• PMI certification (PMP) or equivalent; advanced certification such as PgMP is a plus.
• CQV certifications or extensive hands-on CQV experience; strong CSV expertise; familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive experience delivering validated environments, including GMP/GLP laboratories, ISO 14644 cleanrooms, ISO 17025 laboratories, or similar, across multiple project types.
• Experience with programs in datacenter-adjacent facilities requiring stringent validation regimes.
• Track record leading continuous improvement programs for validation processes and data integrity across a project portfolio, with measurable impact.
• Experience mentoring or formally supervising project managers or project leads.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of complex validated-environment projects and programs across multiple sites, ensuring IQ/OQ/PQ, equipment qualification, data integrity, and regulatory expectations are met.
• Serve as the senior on-site and day-to-day project lead, directing owners, architects, engineers, QA/Validation, contractors, and vendors across concurrent projects or a portfolio.
• Partner with the Project Executive to establish and own scope, schedule, and budget baselines; identify deviations and drive corrective action plans while protecting quality and compliance.
• Develop and implement validation strategies and documentation, including validation plans and commissioning/qualification activities, in alignment with corporate validation policy.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program-level risks affecting deliverables, schedules, budgets, data integrity, or compliance; lead escalation and resolution efforts.
• Provide executive-level reporting on schedule, budget, risks, QA/validation progress, and regulatory readiness.
• Oversee change orders, project delays, procurement, and contract administration; keep project logs and documentation current and audit junior PM documentation practices as needed.
• Establish and enforce documentation controls that meet contract, QA, and regulatory standards; serve as a key contact for regulatory inspections.
• Drive improvements in validation workflows, data integrity practices, and delivery quality across projects and teams.
• Cultivate senior-level sponsor and stakeholder relationships and advise on validated-environment delivery, compliance, and risk.
• Direct vendor and subcontractor selection, negotiation, and performance management.
• Own project and program financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, progress billings, and payables.
• Lead preparation for regulatory inspections and audits, ensuring documentation, traceability, and inspection readiness.
• Foster a safe, compliant, and collaborative project environment; mentor and guide project managers, coordinators, and junior team members.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and a comprehensive bonus program.
• Three weeks of paid vacation in a calendar year, holidays, sick time, and three PTO days in a calendar year.
• Benefits package including 401(k), medical, dental, and vision care, available day one.
• Extensive product, on-the-job, and cross-training opportunities.
• Encouraging and collaborative team environment.
• Scheduling and management support.
• JCI employee discount programs (The Loop by Perk Spot).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior