Senior Client Side Design Manager

Life Science Recruitment; Athlone; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Science Recruitment is seeking a Senior Client-Side Design Manager to support a major pharmaceutical capital expansion in Athlone. This initial 12-month contract oversees multidisciplinary design delivery with the client, EPCM, procurement, construction, CQV and operations interfaces.

Responsibilities include leading client-side design management, coordinating diverse disciplines, and driving packages through tender, evaluation and award while ensuring GMP compliance and integration with

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in pharmaceutical or life sciences capital projects.
• Strong experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on major projects.
• Proven experience managing EPCM partners.
• Experience in oral solid dose manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead client-side design management across a major pharmaceutical capital programme.
• Coordinate process, mechanical, electrical, automation, architectural, civil, structural, and clean utility disciplines.
• Lead an internal team of package owners, SMEs and engineering stakeholders.
• Manage external engineering consultants, vendor partners and the EPCM partner.
• Drive design packages from completion through tendering, bid evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Ensure designs align with GMP requirements and project scope.
• Manage design schedules and monitor milestones within the programme.
• Report on schedule, budget, risk, quality and HSE to senior leadership.

Skills

Client-side design management

Multidisciplinary team leadership

Interface management

GMP compliance understanding

Risk management

Education

Engineering degree or related discipline

15+ years pharma capital projects experience

Tools

PMP/Prince2/NEBOSH certifications

Job description

Senior Client-Side Design Manager | Pharmaceutical Capital Projects | Athlone

We are currently recruiting a Senior Client-Side Design Manager to support a major pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion in Athlone. This is an initial 12-month contract with the intention to extend as part of a significant long-term capital programme. This is a long-term contract opportunity working on the retrofit and expansion of an established oral solid dose manufacturing facility. The successful candidate will act as an Owners Representative, taking responsibility for multidisciplinary design delivery and managing the interface between the client organisation, EPCM partner, procurement, construction, CQV and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead client-side design management across a major pharmaceutical capital programme.
• Coordinate process, mechanical, electrical, automation, architectural, civil, structural and clean utility disciplines.
• Lead an internal team of package owners, SMEs and engineering stakeholders.
• Manage external engineering consultants, specialist vendors and the EPCM partner.
• Drive design packages from completion through tendering, bid evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Ensure designs align with GMP requirements, operational requirements, project scope and business objectives.
• Manage design schedules and ensure milestones support the overall project programme.
• Monitor design costs against capital budgets.
• Lead design reviews, technical decision-making and change control.
• Manage interfaces between design, construction, CQV and operations.
• Ensure process equipment and facility infrastructure are fully integrated.
• Coordinate long-lead equipment requirements with the procurement strategy.
• Manage project risks and develop appropriate mitigation plans.
• Report on schedule, budget, risk, quality and HSE to senior project leadership.

Education & Experience

• Degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years' experience within pharmaceutical or life sciences capital projects.
• Strong experience managing multidisciplinary design teams on major projects.
• Proven experience managing EPCM partners.
• Experience within oral solid dose pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong brownfield or retrofit project experience.
• Demonstrable experience working with construction and CQV/validation teams.
• Experience managing multiple work packages and discipline leads.
• Strong understanding of GMP-regulated pharmaceutical engineering.
• PMP, Prince2, NEBOSH or equivalent certification would be advantageous.