Senior Pharmaceutical Project Manager

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Bonuses & incentives

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

On-site role with stability

Professional development opportunities

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pharmaceutical Project Manager to lead critical initiatives from Vereeniging, Gauteng. This on-site role requires a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical lifecycle, strong leadership, and the ability to drive complex projects from development through regulatory submissions.

You will coordinate R&D, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and QA, manage budgets and timelines, and mentor teams to ensure GMP/ICH compliance and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, Business or related field.
• Master's degree or PMP certification desirable.
• 7+ years in project management with 5+ years in pharma/biotech.
• Experience leading complex pharma projects from initiation to completion.
• Understanding of drug development, trials, and manufacturing.
• Knowledge of FDA, EMA, SAHPRA regulations.
• Proficient in MS Project and Jira.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and closure of pharma projects on time and within budget.
• Develop project plans with objectives, milestones, budgets, and risks.
• Coordinate with R&D, Clinical Ops, Regulatory, Manufacturing, QA.
• Manage budgets, expenditures, and financial reporting.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Communicate status to stakeholders and senior management.
• Ensure GMP/ICH compliance throughout lifecycle.
• Facilitate meetings with clear agendas and follow-ups.
• Mentor project team members and foster high performance.
• Manage vendor and partner relationships as needed.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional coordination

Regulatory knowledge

Risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, Business, or related

Master's degree or PMP certification desirable

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally respected pharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Project Manager to lead key initiatives from their **Vereeniging, Gauteng, ZA** office. This role is pivotal in overseeing the successful execution of complex projects, from drug development and clinical trials to manufacturing scale-up and regulatory submissions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the pharmaceutical lifecycle, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and timelines effectively. This on-site position requires a dedicated professional committed to driving project success and ensuring the timely delivery of critical pharmaceutical advancements within the **Vereeniging** region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the planning, execution, and closure of pharmaceutical projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, defining objectives, deliverables, milestones, resource requirements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance.
• Manage project budgets, track expenditures, and provide regular financial reports.
• Identify potential project risks and issues, and develop proactive strategies to address them.
• Communicate project status, progress, and key decisions to stakeholders, including senior management, through regular reports and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory guidelines (e.g., GMP, ICH) and company policies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate project meetings, ensuring clear agendas, action items, and follow-up.
• Mentor and guide project team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Manage vendor and external partner relationships as required for project success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or PMP certification is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years specifically within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex pharmaceutical projects from initiation to completion.
• In-depth understanding of the drug development process, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA, SAHPRA).
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, along with performance-based bonuses and potential for long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• A generous retirement savings plan with employer match is available.
• This on-site role offers stability and the opportunity to lead impactful projects.
• Continuous professional development, training opportunities, and career advancement within a leading pharmaceutical organization are key.
• Paid time off and company holidays are provided.
• Join a team dedicated to advancing healthcare.