Lead Project Manager

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Illinois seeks an experienced project manager to lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams within biopharmaceutical and related sectors. The role involves managing client relationships, preparing proposals, budgeting, and coordinating design and construction activities to meet scope, schedule, and cost targets.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in Engineering and 10+ years of experience, strong negotiation and communication skills, and a track record of delivering high-quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, chemical or food & beverage sectors.
• Direct experience managing production engineering and design teams for drawings and specifications.
• Strong negotiating, presentation, commercial and long-term relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, and Project in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication to lead project teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop presentations and proposals to secure new work and networks.
• Serve as primary contact for clients and subconsultants.
• Visit client sites for pre-bid meetings, design reviews and start-up support.
• Manage key customer accounts and support business growth with new clients.
• Maintain and update CRM with known opportunities.
• Prepare and manage project budgets and obtain approvals.

Skills

Project Management

Client Relationship Management

Budget Oversight

Negotiation Skills

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Time Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM System

Project Management Software

Job description

• Develop presentations and proposals to secure new work and network to uncover new opportunities and resources
• Serve as primary point of contact for clients and subconsultants
• Visit client sites for pre-bid meetings, design reviews, construction progress reviews, and start-up support
• Manage key customer accounts and support business growth with new clients
• Maintain and update the CRM system with known opportunities
• Prepare and manage project budgets and obtain approval before issuance
• Establish budgets and forecast resource requirements with discipline leads
• Negotiate subconsultant agreements
• Complete professional services estimates, establish project budgets, and manage changes
• Identify client scope changes, request change orders, and manage subconsultant changes
• Review client invoices, manage invoice aging, and approve subconsultant invoices
• Prepare project execution plans
• Develop and maintain project schedules to ensure timely completion
• Assist with construction cost estimates
• Lead design efforts with discipline leads and design project managers
• Lead and mentor project teams and organize regular meetings
• Develop deliverables lists aligned with contract agreements
• Manage subconsultants to deliver services on budget and schedule
• Review project deliverables before issuance
• Monitor progress and adjust timelines, budgets, and resources
• Prepare project forecasts and risk reviews and mitigate significant risks
• Ensure project teams follow quality approval plans
• Prepare status reports, meeting agendas, minutes, and action item registers
• Oversee RFIs and submittals
• Manage document control for drawings, specifications, submittals, and other documents
• Communicate with township and code officials during permitting
• Manage project closeout, turnover packages, and warranty work
• Engage internal and external stakeholders, provide strategic updates, gather feedback, and ensure quality deliverables
• Plan and accomplish goals to deliver targeted revenues and margins

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Minimum 10 years’ experience with biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, chemical and/or food & beverage sectors
• Direct experience managing production engineering and design teams in developing drawings and specifications for clients in the mentioned sectors
• Well-developed negotiating, presentation, commercial, and long-term relationship-building skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Package, including Word, Excel, and Project
• Good time management skills to handle multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Communication skills necessary to effectively communicate with co-workers and lead a project team

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in project management, client relationship management, and budget oversight within the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, chemical, and food & beverage sectors. Proficient in leading project teams, negotiating agreements, and ensuring quality deliverables while managing timelines and resources effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Management
• Client Relationship Management
• Budget Oversight
• Negotiation Skills
• Team Leadership

Hard Skills

• Project Budgeting
• Change Order Management
• Construction Cost Estimation
• Document Control
• Professional Services Estimation
• Resource Forecasting
• Quality Approval Plans
• Risk Management
• Design Development
• Schedule Management

Soft Skills

• Negotiating Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Time Management
• Communication Skills
• Relationship Building

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Industry Keywords

• Biopharmaceutical
• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Device
• Chemical
• Food & Beverage

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Package
• CRM System
• Project Management Software