Senior Project Manager, Life Sciences & Labratory Planning

Visions Management•Novato, CA

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager, Life Sciences & Laboratory Planning leads complex laboratory relocation, infrastructure, and planning projects across research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and academic environments. This role combines strong project leadership with deep knowledge of laboratory operations, scientific equipment, infrastructure, and space planning. You will serve as a primary client contact while also acting as a technical resource to clients and project teams throughout planning, design, relocation, installation, commissioning, and operational readiness. You’ll work closely with scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and specialty vendors to translate scientific and operational requirements into practical project solutions. From developing schedules and budgets to reviewing equipment layouts, utilities, fit-up requirements, and relocation sequencing, you will help ensure projects are technically sound, operationally successful, and delivered with minimal disruption to research.

Requirements

7+ years of project management, laboratory planning, laboratory operations, facilities planning, or related experience within complex laboratory environments.
Demonstrated experience leading laboratory relocations, infrastructure projects, renovations, and/or new laboratory facilities.
Strong knowledge of laboratory equipment, scientific instrumentation, infrastructure, utilities, fit-up, and operational workflows.
Experience working with scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and specialty vendors.
Ability to review and interpret architectural, engineering, MEP, and laboratory equipment drawings.
Proficiency with Autodesk CAD software and Bluebeam Revu.
Knowledge of laboratory safety, EH&S requirements, seismic anchoring, and applicable regulatory considerations.
Strong project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and vendor coordination.
Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and client-service skills.
Ability to translate complex scientific, operational, and technical requirements into practical project solutions.
BA/BS in life sciences, engineering, construction management, facilities planning, or a related field preferred.
PMP or equivalent project management credential preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead complex laboratory relocation, planning, and infrastructure projects from early planning through execution and closeout.
Serve as a primary client contact and trusted advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, risk plans, and key deliverables.
Lead project meetings and coordinate scientists, laboratory managers, facilities teams, architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty vendors.
Manage vendor scopes, change orders, project documentation, and reporting.
Deliver projects on time, on budget, and in alignment with client expectations and defined project KPI’s.
Lead laboratory equipment planning for relocations, renovations, new construction, and facility improvement projects.
Develop and maintain comprehensive equipment inventories, databases, layouts, and planning documentation.
Partner with scientists, principal investigators, laboratory managers, and facilities stakeholders to understand equipment and operational requirements.
Evaluate equipment for reuse, replacement, relocation, or disposition.
Identify equipment requirements including electrical, plumbing, gases, exhaust, HVAC, chilled water, DI water, compressed air, vacuum, and specialty utilities.
Coordinate equipment dimensions, weights, service clearances, structural requirements, access paths, and installation sequencing.
Review architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and laboratory design documents to ensure equipment compatibility and coordination.
Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty consultants to integrate laboratory equipment and infrastructure requirements into the overall design.
Review utility rough-ins, structural support requirements, equipment clearances, access paths, and installation feasibility.
Develop and maintain laboratory equipment layouts, equipment plans, installation drawings, and technical exhibits using Autodesk CAD.
Utilize Bluebeam Revu for drawing reviews, redlines, measurements, equipment markups, quantity takeoffs, and design coordination.
Participate in design reviews, coordination meetings, site walks, and project workshops throughout all phases of a project.
Identify technical conflicts and constructability issues early and collaborate with project teams to develop practical solutions.
Maintain accurate drawing revisions, technical documentation, and client-ready project deliverables.
Serve as a technical resource for EH&S considerations related to laboratory equipment planning, relocation, and installation.
Coordinate with client and institutional EH&S teams to support applicable safety requirements and standards.
Evaluate and coordinate seismic anchoring and restraint requirements in accordance with applicable codes, manufacturer recommendations, and client standards.
Collaborate with structural engineers, architects, contractors, and specialty vendors to address anchoring, utility, equipment placement, and safety requirements.
Develop detailed laboratory relocation strategies and equipment move plans.
Coordinate specialized equipment vendors, movers, manufacturers, installers, and other project partners.
Plan equipment shutdown, relocation, installation, start-up, and commissioning sequencing to minimize disruption to scientific operations.
Support equipment fit-up and installation by verifying utilities, clearances, anchoring requirements, and overall readiness.
Assess laboratory workflows and operational requirements and recommend solutions that improve functionality, safety, efficiency, and future flexibility.
Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during relocation, installation, commissioning, and project closeout.