Project Team Leader

Zoetis; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis seeks a Project Team Leader to provide strategic leadership for complex cross-functional innovation programs. You will define program profiles, timelines, risks, and investments from ideation to commercial launch, leading marketing, manufacturing, and R&D colleagues to drive alignment and successful outcomes.

The role requires 7+ years delivering large cross-functional pharma programs, strong communication, and expertise in portfolio management tools.

Qualifications

• Degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Technology or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience delivering large cross-functional programs in pharma R&D or related industry.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with project and portfolio management tools and methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading matrixed teams and managing complex program dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of accountability to governance for both strategic and technical aspects of complex programs.
• Lead the development and execution of the program strategy (profile, timeline, investment, risk) ensuring alignment with governance.
• Oversee multiple interrelated tactical teams, managing dependencies, budget, risks, and resource allocation to optimize program performance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between governance, multi-divisional tactical teams, functional lines, and external Zoetis partners to facilitate decision-making and stakeholder alignment.
• Manage escalations, resolve complex issues, and generate alignment that impact the program profile via governance and supporting forums.
• Represent the program in governance meetings, providing transparent and insightful updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Create and foster a high-performance, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Collaborate closely with Project and Program Management teams to maintain accurate and up-to-date program plans including work, interdependencies, budget and resources in project/portfolio management tools (e.g., EPM).
• Champion team compliance with regulatory, quality, and organizational standards throughout the program lifecycle.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Time management

Governance liaison

Education

Life sciences or related field degree

Tools

EPM

Job description

The dedicated Project Team Leader role will provide strategic leadership and oversight for complex cross-functional and divisional matrixed Zoetis innovation programs. The PTL will be responsible for defining and aligning program profiles as well as timeline, risk, and investment strategies from ideation to supply readiness and commercial launch. The PTL will lead a team of marketing, manufacturing, and R&D colleagues to drive cross-functional and divisional alignment, while ensuring successful delivery of the program outcomes inclusive of health authority approvals, supply readiness, and commercial launch.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of accountability to governance for both strategic and technical aspects of complex programs.
• Lead the development and execution of the program strategy (profile, timeline, investment, risk) ensuring alignment with governance.
• Oversee multiple interrelated tactical teams, managing dependencies, budget, risks, and resource allocation to optimize program performance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between governance, multi-divisional tactical teams, functional lines, and external Zoetis partners to facilitate decision-making and stakeholder alignment.
• Manage escalations, resolve complex issues, and generate alignment that impact the program profile via governance and supporting forums like, but not limited to the Therapeutics Council and Co-Dev Leadership Teams.
• Represent the program in governance meetings, providing transparent and insightful updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Create and foster a high-performance, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Collaborate closely with Project and Program Management teams to maintain accurate and up-to-date program plans including work, interdependencies, budget and resources in project/portfolio management tools (e.g., EPM)
• Champion team compliance with regulatory, quality, and organizational standards throughout the program lifecycle.

Requirements

• Degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Technology or related field preferred
• In-depth understanding of Zoetis' R&D operating model and business acumen preferred
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in delivering large cross-functional programs within the pharmaceutical R&D or related industry.
• Strong expertise of end-to-end product development pathways, with in depth knowledge in at least two tactical areas (e.g process, regulatory, safety, clinical, manufacturing technology etc.)
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities at all organizational levels
• A strong track record of matrixed leadership capabilities including the ability to assess and adapt communication, accountability, and motivational styles within a team of diverse personalities and backgrounds from across the company.
• Proficiency with project and portfolio management tools and methodologies, embracing working with data to monitor program success, and to inform program and portfolio decision making
• Demonstrated experience of successfully using interpersonal skills (conflict management, team accountability, and dealing with ambiguity) within a team setting.
• Self-driven and passionate about leading a group of colleagues to a common goal for many years through positive and successful times and challenging dynamic situations.
• Demonstrated exceptional time management skills allowing for leadership of multiple complex programs in parallel.
  

About Zoetis

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.