Project Manager, Strategy and Operations (Research & Development)

Sabin Vaccine Institute; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Flexible vacation and sick leave

Disability coverage

Job summary

Sabin Vaccine Institute is seeking a Project Manager for Strategy and Operations (R&D) to lead strategic initiatives and drive operational execution across the R&D portfolio. You will partner with Sabin staff and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, action, and timely delivery of programs.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in biotech/pharma PM roles, experience with PM tools (Smartsheet, MS Project) and a strong ability to implement lean, change management, and design-thinking approaches to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project/program management roles in biotech, pharma, or life sciences.
• Experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives.
• Experience developing PM tools, templates, dashboards, and processes.
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, design thinking, change management or systems thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives and drive operational effectiveness.
• Plan and monitor activities, timelines, and deliverables to ensure on-time completion.
• Identify opportunities for organizational improvement and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement project management processes, governance, and reporting systems.
• Lead change management activities for new processes and tools, including training.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Process optimization

Communication

Organizational skills

Proactive problem-solving

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Project

Lucen/Office Timeline

MS Teams

Job description

Description

Reports to: Director, Strategy and Operations (Research & Development)

Job Type

Full-time

Location

Remote Work (US Only)

Why Sabin

Our mission is to make vaccines more accessible, enable innovation and expand immunization across the globe. We seek a future free from vaccine-preventable diseases. We are an innovative, collaborative and engaged team that values accountability, teamwork, partnership and driving impact. We are vaccine champions improving lives through immunization. Sabin staff, management and Board of Trustees are committed are committed to ensuring that fairness, integrity, and opportunity remain at the core of how we operate.

Position Summary

The Project Manager for Strategy and Operations (R&D) is a dynamic and detail-oriented individual who will be responsible for leading strategic initiatives, operational improvement efforts, and building program management capabilities that advance R&D organizational effectiveness and execution. They will partner and collaborate across the Sabin organization and with external stakeholders to provide comprehensive project management leadership which enables alignment, action, and delivery per plan.

The incumbent will have a background in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, vaccine development, or life sciences organizations, with experience leading initiatives which support organizational growth and efficiency. They will lead and support a range of activities and workstreams that enable successful R&D Strategic Operations and execution of vaccine development programs. The Project Manager will play a key role in advancing R&D organizational effectiveness by driving strategic initiatives, strengthening operational capabilities, and enabling efficient execution across programs, functions, and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support cross-functional strategic initiatives that advance R&D organizational priorities, operational effectiveness, and business transformation objectives.
• Partner with Sabin staff to plan and monitor activities, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful completion within established timelines.
• Partner with leadership to identify opportunities for organizational improvement and operational excellence.
• Lead development, implementation, lifecycle management and continuous improvement of project management processes, resources, governance frameworks, templates, reporting systems, and tools that support effective execution across the R&D portfolio.
• Lead implementation of change management activities associated with new processes, systems, and ways of working, including training and communication development to ensure successful and sustained uptake.
• Develop reporting and dashboards to support organizational and program performance monitoring and decision-making.
• Serve as a cross-functional integrator, driving alignment among internal and external stakeholders, facilitating decision making, and promoting accountability for commitments and deliverables.
• Facilitate team and project meetings, ensuring decision documentation, action tracking, stakeholder alignment, and follow-through on commitments.
• Create and maintain project timelines using Smartsheet, MS Project, Lucen/Office Timeline or other project management tools.
• Lead identification, assessment, escalation, mitigation, and monitoring of risks, issues, and decisions to maintain achievement of project objectives.
• Maintain project files and ensure document control within project management systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, biotechnology, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, program management, PMO operations, or related roles within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, vaccine development, or life sciences organizations
• Experience driving cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives
• Experience developing project management tools, templates, dashboards, and operational processes
• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, innovation methodologies, human-centered design, change management, and/or systems thinking to operational improvements
• Proficiency in project management principles, as well as associated software (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project)
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively
• Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and take initiative
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with commitment to accuracy
• Proficient in Microsoft Office application (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, OneNote); experience with MS Teams preferred
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting, problem-solving, and service-oriented skills and approach
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information; ability to exercise discretion
• Ability to process information quickly and listen carefully to feedback and comments and adapt plans/actions accordingly.
• Commitment to furthering Sabin’s mission
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally with notice

Other

• Subject to a criminal background investigation
• Request for three professional references
• Verification of education/degrees

Notice to Recruiters/Staffing Agencies

Recruitment vendors may not contact Sabin hiring managers, executives, or employees and must have an executed agreement on file. Unsolicited resumes do not create an agreement, and Sabin is not responsible for related fees.

Work Authorization

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Sabin’s philosophy is to ensure fair, unbiased, equitable, competitive compensation and benefits. Using benchmarking and salary survey data, the annual salary for this position ranges from $95,000 - $128,000. The exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, training, and certifications/degree. As a grant-funded organization, Sabin actively seeks funding for existing and new programs.

Sabin provides a comprehensive benefits package for eligible, featuring medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as flexible spending accounts. Eligible employees enjoy flexible vacation leave, sick leave, and both short-term and long-term disability options. The organization observes 10 federal holidays plus an end of the year winter break. Additionally, Sabin offers an employer matching 401(k) plan.

Sabin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability or genetic information, sex (including gender identity, pregnancy or sexual orientation), marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Salary Description

$95,000 - $128,000