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Assistant Project Manager III
1 DNA Way South San Francisco, CA 94080 US
Job Description
Job Description: Operations Project Manager, Research.
Department: Research Operations.
Reporting To: Director, Research Operations.
Role Purpose
The Operations Project Manager is a key strategic partner to the Director of Research Operations, responsible for the execution of initiatives that modernize, streamline, and financially optimize the Research environment.
This role serves as a bridge between high-level strategy and laboratory execution, ensuring that scientists have the tools, technologies, and operational frameworks required to innovate.
The incumbent will navigate a complex matrix of stakeholders, driving consensus and managing change for both departmental and enterprise-wide initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
I. Strategic Operational Leadership.
Lab Modernization & Innovation: Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of initiatives to bring new technologies and automated workflows into the labs.
Operational Optimization: Design and implement "best-in-class" operating models to improve laboratory efficiency and establish "better ways of working" for the scientific community.
Enterprise Change Management: Represent the Research organization in enterprise-wide initiatives, driving tailored change management strategies to ensure seamless adoption of corporate shifts among the scientific staff.
II. Financial Stewardship.
Fiduciary Oversight: Support the Director in ensuring labs meet or exceed budget targets; lead specific workstreams dedicated to cost-savings, spend optimization, and resource allocation.
Investment Support: Assist in the development of business cases for capital expenditures and strategic laboratory investments.
III. Governance & Execution.
Stakeholder Management: Facilitate multiple weekly project team meetings, expertly navigating perspectives ranging from VP-level executives to bench scientists to drive consensus.
Action & Accountability: Maintain a high level of organizational rigor by tracking assigned action items, coordinating complex schedules across departments, and ensuring milestone delivery.
Executive Storytelling: Partner with the Director to architect and draft high-impact slide decks and briefing materials for leadership presentations and executive reviews.
IV. Community Partnership.
Influence without Authority: Build strong relationships across the Research community to act as a trusted advisor and change agent.
Strategic Alignment: Ensure that all operational and financial initiatives are aligned with the overarching scientific priorities of the Research organization.
Qualifications
- Professional Experience: 7–10+ years of progressive project management experience, preferably within a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or complex R&D setting.
- Matrix Leadership: Proven ability to influence senior leadership and lead cross-functional teams in a non-hierarchical, science-driven culture.
- Communication: Exceptional formal communication skills; ability to distill complex operational or financial data into clear, persuasive narratives for executive audiences.
- Technical Proficiency: Expert-level capability modern project management software.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree (Scientific or MBA) or PMP certification is highly desirable.
Target Pay Rate Range: $60-70/hr depending on experience
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.
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