Director of Program Management & Planning

DM Clinical Research; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

DM Clinical Research in Houston, TX seeks a Director of Program Management and Planning to lead PMO operations for clinical programs and drive strategic planning. You will oversee cross-functional teams, interface with executives, and serve as the primary sponsor/CRO contact on key trials.

The role requires 8+ years in project management, with clinical trial experience and PMP certification preferred. You will develop PM processes, mentor staff, and ensure on-time study milestones and enrollment

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred.
• Experience: 8+ years in project management; Clinical Trial Management experience preferred.
• Credentials: PMP certification preferred.
• Knowledge/Skills: strategic thinking, leadership, communication, diplomacy, and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Direct PM operations and strategic planning to meet organizational goals.
• Develop and govern PM processes, dashboards, templates, policies, and metrics.
• Monitor projects, anticipate roadblocks, and provide clear status updates to executives and stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional, sponsor/CRO communications and manage government project deliverables.
• Coach PM staff and report on PM KPIs for continuous improvement.
• Act as key client contact for designated clinical programs and drive enrollment and data quality.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Risk management

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Director of Program Management and Planning develops and directs project management operations and strategic planning to drive organizational goals and shepherds key relationships with external stakeholders.DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESSeek implementation efficiencies to meet or exceed the enrollment expectations established at project initiation.Develop, implement, and govern program management processes, dashboards, templates, policies, and metrics.Monitor key projects and anticipate, identify and solve roadblocks to project success.Facilitate a unified point of contact for executives and for external stakeholders on projects, and provide accurate, timely clarity on project status.Interface with executives to define project priorities, implementation opportunities, challenges and communicate project risks and opportunities.Manage government project deliverables and tasks.Coach and mentor project management practitioners and share knowledge of best practices.Provide technical support and guidance (including scope definition, risk identification and mitigation, resource planning, goals and deliverables) to assigned PM staff.Build, measure and report PM KPls and lead continuous improvement.Act as the key client contact for designated clinical projects/programs, and develop successful relationships with clients to drive increased volume of business.Stakeholder ManagementExtensive experience in cross functional team collaboration - in planning, execution and oversight of the key clinical trial projects.Ensure strong alignment with broad cross functional team goals to achieve overall organizational level goalsDrive information and communication management for internal and external stakeholders across key clinical trial projectsLeadership and Team BuildingImplement department level org chart for the departmentBuild and mentor mid-level managementDrive continuous optimization of operational processes within the department and overall resource allocationMetrics and Study Performance ManagementDrive outcomes on key study milestones throughout the clinical trial journey for key projectsMonitor and drive continuous improvements on enrollment metrics as well as data quality metrics as per sponsor and senior management expectations.Program Management and PlanningDrive expedited study startup and impact FPFV outcomes across all the clinical trial projects in the organizationOverseas project level, program level reporting and collaborate with cross functional teams for executive reportsStrong working knowledge of clinical trial operational processesStrong project management, change agility and problem solving capabilitiesServe as as the key sponsor/CRO contact for designated clinical trial projects, build successful relationships and continuous focus on key deliverablesMeasure and report PM KPls and lead continuous improvement on theseOverseas project level, program level reporting and collaborate with cross functional teams for monthly executive reportsKNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCEEducation:Bachelor’s Degree required (Master’s Degree preferred)Experience:Experience interfacing with CROs and pharma, especially at a senior level8+ years of project management experience. Clinical Trial Management experience is preferredPrivate sector, site-side experience in industry sponsored trials is preferredCredentials:PMP certification preferredKnowledge and Skills:Driven, goal-oriented attitudeAbility to drive and assert with diplomacyAbility to strategize and solve problemsStrong leadership and organizational skillsExcellent communication and people skillsAn innate sense of urgencyStrong knowledge of Project Management and Planning and Portfolio ManagementProblem-Solving, Critical and Creative ThinkingAbility to think strategically and independently, but also can take \"hands on\" approach if needed depending on the urgency of the situation