Pharma Construction Program Lead

ERM; Central (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Construction Program Manager to provide senior-level leadership across a multi-workstream capital program within a pharmaceutical or life-sciences manufacturing environment.

The role oversees planning, design coordination, procurement, construction execution, and turnover activities to ensure alignment between the owner, designers, contractors, commissioning/startup teams, and site operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 12+ years of experience managing complex capital construction projects, preferably as owner’s representative.
• Proven track record delivering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Strong command of schedule management and cost control, with procurement and contract administration experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as owner’s representative and primary liaison among program leadership, design partners, GCs, and specialty contractors.
• Lead governance processes including decision logs, risk registers, and action trackers.
• Ensure scope clarity and cross-functional alignment; resolve cross-functional issues.
• Manage integrated master schedules, phasing strategies, and site logistics plans.
• Coordinate design development for constructability and CQV readiness; ensure operational alignment.
• Develop contracting strategies, bid packages, and procurement timelines to meet cost and schedule objectives.
• Own cost and schedule performance, including forecasting and contingency management.
• Perform critical path analysis and drive recovery actions as needed.
• Manage change control with contractors and vendors; negotiate scope, cost, and time adjustments.
• Lead bid solicitations, evaluations, award recommendations, and contract onboarding.
• Administer contracts with input from legal teams; validate progress and deliverables.
• Identify risks of claims early; drive dispute avoidance and resolution activities.
• Maintain daily field presence to validate progress and adherence to plans.

Skills

Schedule management

Cost control

Stakeholder management

Leadership

On-site supervision

Education

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

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Procore/ACC

Excel/Power BI

Job description

ERM is seeking a Construction Program Manager to provide senior-level leadership across a multi-workstream capital program within a pharmaceutical or life-sciences manufacturing environment.

The role oversees planning, design coordination, procurement, construction execution, and turnover activities to ensure alignment between the owner, designers, contractors, commissioning/startup teams, and site operations.