Project Lead- Capital Investment

Planet Pharma; England; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A Global Pharmaceutical Company in the UK seeks an End-to-End Project Lead to oversee a major capital investment program for a state-of-the-art R&D laboratory. This position will manage the entire lifecycle of the project, ensuring compliance with UK regulations and industry standards. The ideal candidate must possess a degree in Engineering or related field, PMP certification, and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. This role demands strong leadership and project management skills to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of project management experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven experience delivering complex CAPEX projects on time and within budget.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete lifecycle of the R&D Campus project from design to final handover.
• Develop and maintain project plans covering timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with UK regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Skills

Project management excellence

Technical expertise

Leadership capabilities

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Decision-making ability

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

PMP certification or equivalent

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Department: Large Capital Project Delivery

Location: Fully office-based in Surrey

Company: A Global Pharmaceutical Company

Role Summary

The End-to-End Project Lead is accountable for the successful delivery of a major capital investment program supporting the construction of a state-of-the-art R&D laboratory campus in the United Kingdom. The facility will enable multidisciplinary research and serve as a future-ready platform aligned with the organization’s global scientific strategy.

This role oversees the complete lifecycle of the UK R&D Campus project — from design and engineering through construction, commissioning, validation, and final handover to scientific operations. It also includes managing the transition from existing facilities to the new campus.

The position ensures full compliance with UK regulatory requirements, biosafety standards, UK building regulations (including CDM regulations), and industry best practices for research laboratory environments.

The End-to-End Project Lead orchestrates all technical, strategic, and operational components required to deliver a world-class research campus. The role ensures that scientific and operational requirements are accurately translated into engineering design, construction execution, and operational readiness planning.

This position requires a strong combination of technical expertise, project management excellence, and people leadership capabilities. The role holder must effectively lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex contractual and stakeholder environments.

The role reports to the Head of Large Capital Projects Delivery and serves as the primary interface between stakeholders, operations, engineering teams, local authorities, and delivery partners. It also drives business change to ensure a smooth transition of R&D activities into the new research environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Initiation

• Receive and refine project scope from early design teams and translate it into clear objectives, deliverables, and execution plans
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans covering timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies
• Conduct feasibility assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• Lead and manage change control processes when scope adjustments are required
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams including engineering, safety, quality, procurement, construction, operational readiness, finance, IT, commissioning & validation, and operations
• Define clear objectives, assign responsibilities, and ensure teams have appropriate tools and resources
• Promote a collaborative, solution-oriented team culture
• Drive effective problem-solving and decision-making
• Mentor and coach team members to support professional development

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and control project budgets, ensuring efficient and cost-effective resource utilization
• Monitor financial performance and address deviations proactively
• Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors, contractors, and external partners

Project Execution & Governance

• Oversee all phases of project execution, ensuring adherence to timelines, budget, safety, quality, and compliance standards
• Implement structured project management methodologies and governance frameworks
• Conduct regular project review meetings and provide updates to senior leadership
• Establish clear communication channels to ensure alignment among stakeholders
• Set up and lead the Project Steering Committee and Core Team meetings
• Act as single point of contact (SPOC) for the project
• Identify potential project risks and implement mitigation strategies
• Proactively resolve issues and remove obstacles
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental standards

Reporting, Documentation & Handover

• Prepare and present detailed project reports, including progress, financial status, and performance metrics
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate project documentation
• Ensure early appointment of key project team members to avoid resource gaps or conflicts
• Conduct structured project handover and post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned
• Ensure seamless integration of the new campus into site operations, including asset management systems and infrastructure readiness

Leadership & High-Performance Culture

• Develop and implement strategies to build a high-performing project team
• Provide regular performance feedback and coaching
• Foster a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships
• Demonstrate resilience, commitment, and leadership during complex challenges

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field
• PMP certification or equivalent project management certification preferred
• Minimum 10 years of project management experience
• Proven experience delivering large-scale capital investment projects within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry
• Demonstrated success delivering complex CAPEX projects on time and within budget
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools
• Experience building and leading agile, high-performing teams
• Strong leadership and empowerment mindset
• Ability to operate effectively in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• Excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, and change management skills
• Strong decision-making ability and accountability
• Ability to maintain clarity and focus in complex environments
• Skilled in challenging assumptions constructively
• Proficiency with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera)
• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements and industry best practices
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and ambiguity
• Proactive approach to risk identification and solution development
• Strong executive presence and presentation skills
• Willingness to travel as required
• Flexibility to work extended hours when necessary to meet key milestones