Project Planning Manager

Role Summary

The Project Planning Manager is responsible for managing the planning of each project from pre-candidate selection in research to development and life cycle management. The PPM provides proactive support to the Global Project Head, Global Project Manager and Global Project Team, coordinating operational planning to ensure alignment between project and operational plans and robustness of resources and costs. The role also participates in the management and evolution of planning toolsets, templates, processes, and tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the project plan based on the strategy defined by the project team and governance decision.
• Analyze project timelines to ensure optimal critical path, alert on any planning issue and provide optimization recommendations (incl. scenario planning).
• Monitor deviations, explain variances and manage impacts on project planning with adequate action plan.
• Regularly provide project stakeholders, project teams and R&D governance with consolidated update and reporting.
• Maintain in the planning system, the planning & resources information linked to the Therapeutic Area activity for their projects.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Science or Business with 5+ years in the pharmaceutical industry OR Master in a Scientific degree or in Project Management with 2+ years in the pharmaceutical industry; candidates from related industries with strong project planning skills may be considered.
• Required: Strong understanding of research & development and project management/planning.
• Required: Solid knowledge of drug development process from early development through lifecycle management and understanding of interconnections between all contributors to the project strategy at all stages of development.
• Preferred: Experience working with Submission Task Force and Sub-Team on CTD Planning.

Skills

• Teamwork and transversal collaboration, strong networking skills.
• Customer-oriented and quality-focused.
• Ability to identify problems and apply thoughtful risk culture in day-to-day work.
• Ability to negotiate and influence planning assumptions with stakeholders.
• Solid communication skills (written and oral).
• Analytical and synthetic, attention to detail, rigorous.
• Adaptability in a highly changeable environment.
• Solid project management and planning skills: planning, resources & costs.
• Good knowledge of a planning tool (Planisware preferred).
• Ability to understand databases and to quickly acquire proficiency with computer systems and new applications.
• Proficient use of digital tools and AI-based technologies. Readiness to foster and adopt the company’s digital transformation.
• Ability to understand and integrate constraints of operational plans.
• Languages: Fluent in English (verbal and written communication).

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Business with 5+ years in pharma OR Master in a Scientific degree or in Project Management with 2+ years in pharma.