Project Design Manager - Client Services

LabConnect; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Match

Annual Bonus Eligibility

Health Benefits

PTO + Holidays

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

LabConnect seeks a Project Design Manager to lead setup and amendments of clinical trial projects. You will translate client requirements into deliverables, create OSDs, and collaborate with internal teams to ensure timelines and budgets are met.

You will act as a subject matter expert in discussions and drive process improvements. The role emphasizes cross-functional coordination, training, and adherence to standards, with minimal travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years setup or project management experience.
• Associates degree with 5–6 years central lab or related clinical experience, including setup/project management.
• Experience in customer service and strong organization and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Create or revise the Operational Specification Documents (OSDs) to define client study requirements.
• Coordinate with Sponsors and CROs; maintain communication and timelines.
• Provide status updates to Project Management and Client Services leadership.
• Translate client requirements into actionable steps for problem solving and budgeting interpretation.
• Mentor and train new team members and develop training materials and SOPs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Planning

Problem solving

Communication

Independent & team work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associates degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world.

Overview

LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world.

We are an independent, global, one‑stop‑shop focused on delivering Central Laboratory Services that are tailor‑made, timely and flexible to meet the evolving study demands of traditional to increasingly complex trials.

Additionally, we provide Functional Service Provider (FSP) Solutions, supporting our clients with scientific and technical expertise, acting as an extension of their team, coordinating all laboratory related needs, advising on strategies for lab data collection and providing end‑to‑end analytical and logistical solutions.

Job Summary

The Project Design Manager is responsible for managing the setup and amendment of clinical trial projects. This role involves creating and amending operational documents, coordinating with internal teams, and ensuring client requirements are accurately translated into project deliverables. The Project Design Manager serves as a subject matter expert during internal and external discussions and contributes to process efficiency and quality standards.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Initial Setups & Amendments
• Create or revise the Operational Specification Documents (OSDs) to define client requirements for studies of varying complexities.
• Create or revise customized test requisitions, laboratory manuals, and collection kit specifications.
• Serve as a project contact with Sponsors and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to maintain communication channels and adherence to timelines.
• Attend internal and external calls as a Subject Matter Expert for Project Initiation and provide necessary information to Project Managers.
• Provide regular status updates to Project Management and Client Services leadership on setup progress.
• Translate client requirements into actionable steps for problem‑solving and issue resolution, often requiring creative solutions while adhering to internal standards.
• Understand and interpret project‑specific budgets.
• Cross‑Functional Coordination
• Interface with internal functional departments to complete or assist with database setup and communicate study needs to meet client expectations.
• Liaise with colleagues to confirm completion of all setup‑related tasks.
• Training & Mentorship
• Assist with project‑specific training for internal staff.
• Mentor and train new team members to ensure consistent knowledge transfer and adherence to best practices.
• Create or oversee development of training materials, templates, job aids, and SOPs.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from four‑year college or university with minimum of 3 years’ experience that is setup related experience and/or project management experience.
• Associates degree (A.S) and 5-6 years central laboratory or related clinical experience, including at least 3 years’ experience that is setup related experience and/or project management experience.
• Must be experienced in customer service and possess excellent organization and interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Clinical Research, Central Lab, and/or Project Management experience outside of LabConnect will be considered.

Skills And Ability

• Excellent attention to detail, strong planning and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent listening and verbal comprehension skills, including ability to translate client needs to team members.
• Ability to make well‑thought‑out decisions and adapt to changing environments and requirements.
• Self‑motivating and ability to work well independently as well as using a collaborative team approach.
• Ability to adhere to established timelines, processes and procedures.
• Customer service/client relationship management skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or technical procedures.
• Ability to write business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and clients.
• Ability to perform calculations and manage budgets.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts to budget management for clinical trials and metrics analysis.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the occupant is regularly required to:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged use of computer and headphones for conference calls.
• Communicate effectively via phone, video, and email.
• Use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Travel Requirements:

Minimal

One Global Team

At LabConnect, we are proud to be one global team: united by our shared mission to advance clinical trials through innovation, agility, and collaboration. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects our core values: People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven, and Accountability Always.

LabConnect is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), creed, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to cultivating a workplace that is safe, equitable, and respectful for all. Together, as one global team, we strive to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our shared success.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform other related duties as may be required by their supervisor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:

• Financial Security (Base Pay, 401k Match and Possible Annual Bonus Eligibility)
• Health Benefits beginning on date of hire
• PTO plan, plus 11 Paid Company Holidays, and 1 Day to Volunteer in your community
• Short and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• We celebrate our differences, which enriches our culture!

In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with career growth opportunities, globally. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication. While living out our values of People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven, and Accountability Always.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and value the diversity of our workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. To learn more about equal employment opportunity, please view the posters here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters

LabConnect also prioritizes the privacy and security of your personal data. All candidate information is handled in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To learn more, please review our Privacy Notice on our website, by navigating to https://www.labconnect.com/