Associate Director, Capital Projects

Hartmann Young; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Pension plan

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Louisiana is seeking an Associate Director for Capital Projects. This role will oversee the full lifecycle of major infrastructure initiatives, ensuring compliance with GMP standards while leading diverse project teams. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s in Engineering and over ten years of experience in the biotech sector. This full-time position offers a competitive benefits package including 401(k), medical, and vision insurance.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of GMP operations and validation processes.
• Minimum of ten years leading capital initiatives in the biotech or pharmaceutical sector.
• At least five years managing diverse project teams.

Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of site capital initiatives including design and construction.
• Establish and monitor annual capital budgets; coordinate resource allocation.
• Serve as primary contact with external design firms and contractors.

Skills

GMP operations

Validation processes

Project management systems

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Advanced degree

Job description

The Associate Director for Capital Projects oversees the full lifecycle of major infrastructure and equipment initiatives at the CDMO site. This leader is accountable for long-range capital planning, project delivery, and the governance of engineering, construction, procurement, commissioning, and qualification activities. The role ensures that capital investments support operational priorities, comply with applicable regulatory frameworks, and are executed safely, efficiently, and within established financial parameters.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of site capital initiatives—from early feasibility and scope definition through design, construction, commissioning, and operational turnover—while upholding performance targets for safety, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Establish, monitor, and optimise substantial annual capital budgets; coordinate resource allocation with site executives and corporate engineering functions.
• Guide multidisciplinary project teams comprising engineering, quality, procurement, validation, and operations to ensure alignment with production and facility needs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with external design firms, contractors, and regulatory bodies involved in capital development activities.
• Ensure that all project work adheres to cGMP, EHS expectations and other applicable compliance obligations.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise across facility layouts, clean‑utility and building systems, and the deployment of manufacturing technologies.
• Lead project risk identification and mitigation efforts, manage contingency strategies and oversee change control throughout execution.
• Deliver regular performance updates, financial summaries and risk outlooks to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Build capability within the project organisation through coaching, technical guidance and talent development.

Qualifications / Skills

• Deep understanding of GMP operations, validation processes and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with modern project management systems and capital planning platforms.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder‑management and negotiation capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively within a dynamic, cross‑functional and matrixed business setting.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of ten years leading capital initiatives within the biotech, pharmaceutical or CDMO sector.
• At least five years of experience managing or directing diverse project teams.
• Proven track record executing major capital programs exceeding $10M in regulated production environments.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Project Management, Manufacturing, and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Chemical Manufacturing and Biotechnology Research

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Pension plan